Cords & Twines
Natural Hemp Cord & Twine
Buyecogreen stocks natural hemp cord in a wide range of colours, all dyed with Azo-free dyes. Azo compounds are a group of synthetic dyes linked to potential carcinogenic properties, so the absence of them matters, particularly for products used in classrooms, on packaging sent to customers or anywhere children are handling materials regularly.
Our hemp cord spools are 62.5 metres long, approximately 1mm in diameter, with a breaking strength of 20 lbs (just under 10kg). The cord is firm enough to hold knots securely and lightweight enough to work with by hand without tools.
What hemp cord and natural twine are used for
Natural cord and twine are genuinely versatile. The same 62.5 metre spool can sit in a school art room, a retail gift wrapping station or a council sustainability event kit and be used well in all three contexts. Common uses include:
Gift wrapping and hamper finishing. Hemp cord ties cleanly around brown kraft paper, recycled boxes and cotton gift bags. It knots and bows neatly and adds a natural, finished look without needing plastic ribbon or synthetic raffia.
Swing tags and labels. Threading cord through a punched hole in a swing tag is one of the most common uses across retail, markets, handmade products and community fundraising. Hemp cord at 1mm is the right thickness to thread easily and hold securely.
School art and craft. Coloured hemp cord is used widely in classrooms for woven projects, friendship bracelets, macrame, collage, hanging decorations, nature journalling and science activities involving knots and structural design. The range of colours available makes it practical for teachers who need variety without sourcing from multiple suppliers.
Packaging and product presentation. Businesses moving toward plastic-free packaging use natural cord to bundle products, close paper bags, tie around wrapped goods and replace plastic cable ties. It photographs well, which matters for market stalls, online shops and brand-conscious retailers.
Community events and displays. Councils and not-for-profit organisations use hemp cord to hang signage, tie bunting, secure labels at markets and create natural-looking displays for community events.
Hemp cord compared to other natural twines
Not all natural cord is the same material, and for buyers working through procurement or placing orders for schools, understanding the difference is worth knowing.
Hemp cord comes from the Cannabis sativa plant, the same plant cultivated for textiles, paper, rope and building materials for centuries. Hemp fibre is stronger than cotton at the same thickness, holds knots well, resists fraying under use and is fully biodegradable. The dyes used in Buyecogreen’s hemp cord range are Azo-free. Hemp also requires significantly less water to grow than cotton, making it one of the lower-impact natural fibre options available.
Jute twine is made from the jute plant and is the natural fibre most commonly used for heavy bundling, bag handles and coarser tying work. It has a rougher texture than hemp cord and is typically found in natural brown, though it can be dyed. Buyecogreen stocks jute ribbon through our Jute or Burlap Ribbon category for applications where a wider, flatter ribbon is more useful than a round cord.
Cotton cord is softer than both hemp and jute, which makes it comfortable for projects where the cord will be handled repeatedly or worn, such as bracelets. It is less strong than hemp at the same diameter. Cotton production is water-intensive, which is worth noting when making procurement decisions based on environmental impact.
For most gift wrapping, swing tag threading, classroom craft and light packaging work, hemp cord is the right choice. It combines strength, a clean appearance, colour range and full biodegradability.
Colour range and what to consider when ordering
Buyecogreen’s hemp cord range is available in a broad selection of colours including natural, black, red, dusty pink, dark purple, rainbow variegated and several others. Each spool is 62.5 metres and the cord is approximately 1mm in diameter.
A few practical notes when ordering by colour:
Colours are dyed using Azo-free dyes, which means the dye formulation does not include the azo compounds associated with carcinogenic risk. This is particularly important for schools and childcare settings.
Colour tone can vary slightly between production batches depending on the dye mix used. This is normal for natural fibre products. If you are ordering for a branded event or product launch where colour consistency is important, order your full requirement at one time rather than in separate smaller orders.
Variegated or multi-colour spools, such as rainbow, produce a different look to single-colour options. They work well for craft activities where each child gets a distinctive piece, or for decorative gift finishing where variation adds interest.
Who orders from this category
Schools and childcare centres order hemp cord and natural twine for art and craft programs. The coloured range suits group activities where students each work with the same material in different colours. Teachers and procurement officers can order by the spool or contact Buyecogreen about bulk requirements for larger class sets or whole-school supply.
Eco-focused retailers and gift businesses use natural hemp cord as the finishing touch on plastic-free packaging setups. Paired with brown recycled paper, recycled gift boxes and swing tags, hemp cord completes a consistent, natural-looking presentation without any synthetic materials.
Community organisations, markets and councils running sustainability events, community markets or environmental education programs use hemp cord for labelling, hanging displays and tying decorations. It is a straightforward, low-cost way to keep event materials consistent with the sustainability message being communicated.
Not-for-profit organisations running fundraising events or gift drives use natural cord as a cost-effective, eco-consistent finishing material.
Build a complete eco wrapping and packaging setup
Natural cord and twine work best as part of a wider set of plastic-free wrapping and packaging materials. Buyecogreen stocks everything needed to build a consistent eco packaging setup from a single supplier:
- Twine, Raffia and Swing Tags for the broader range of natural tying and finishing materials including raffia, natural twine and recycled swing tags
- Jute or Burlap Ribbon for a wider, flatter natural ribbon option for gift finishing and decorative tying
- Brown Recycled Paper to use as the primary wrapping material paired with hemp cord
- Tissue Paper for layering inside boxes and bags before tying off with cord
- Recycled Gift Boxes and Cotton and Jute Gift Bags for the container to wrap or tie
- Cellophane Bags and Sheets for clear biodegradable packaging tied with hemp cord for a clean, natural finish
- Eco Art and Craft Materials for schools and childcare centres building a broader eco art program beyond cord and twine alone
Frequently asked questions
What does Azo-free mean and why does it matter?
Azo compounds are a group of synthetic dyes that can break down to release aromatic amines, some of which are classified as potentially carcinogenic. Azo-free means the dyes used in the cord do not contain these compounds. For products used in classrooms, on children’s craft materials or on food-adjacent packaging, this is a meaningful safety distinction.
Is hemp cord the same as jute twine?
No. Hemp and jute are different plants and produce fibres with different properties. Hemp cord is generally stronger, finer and softer in texture than jute. Jute twine is coarser and typically used for heavier tying and bundling. For most gift wrapping, swing tag threading and school craft, hemp cord is the more practical choice.
How strong is the hemp cord?
Each spool has a stated breaking strength of 20 lbs, which is just under 10kg. This is more than adequate for gift wrapping, swing tags, craft projects, light bundling and decorative tying. It is not suitable for load-bearing or structural applications.
Can we order multiple colours in bulk?
Yes. Contact the Buyecogreen team to discuss multi-colour bulk requirements for schools, retailers or events. We supply Australia-wide and regularly fulfil orders for schools, councils and businesses needing consistent supply across a programme or season.
Is the cord safe for children to use in classrooms?
Yes. The Azo-free dyes make this cord appropriate for classroom use. As with all craft materials, it should be used under appropriate supervision for the age group involved.
