Perhaps you’ve seen a troubling string of recent headlines outlining the environmental impact of growing cannabis — Smithsonian Magazine’s “The Cannabis Industry Is Not as Green as You’d Think” is a great example. But how much is cannabis negatively affecting the earth? What can you do about it?   As a cannabis consumer, you may have some concerns around the effects your own consumption may have on the planet, or are simply looking for more information on the topic. We at NisonCo have compiled this succinct guide around the major environmental issues the cannabis industry faces, possible industry solutions and more importantly, the ways you as a consumer can use your purchasing power to be efficaciously conscientious.  

The Problem: Illicit Growing

  Sources from The New York Times to NPR have covered the devastating effects illicit growing operations have had on the ecosystems of many California public forests. The gist of the situation is that insecticides, pesticides and other often-illicit chemicals are present in huge amounts at many discovered illegal grow operations. These chemicals cause disruptions in water tables and biospheres, and negatively impact populations of various species long-term. Other issues caused by illegal growing include increased violence in the region and deterioration of preserved ecosystems.  

The Consumer-Based Solution

 

• Buy Legally. When you purchase cannabis from a licensed dispensary, you’re paying for consumer protection and assurance that the product was procured through legal channels. Non-legal sales may save you a few bucks, but may be costing the planet in exchange. Also support legalization efforts in non-legal states. There have been studies that strongly correlate legalization with a decrease in illegal grow sites in national forests.
• See also: How To Boost Hemp Farmers During The Pandemic Without A Taxpayer Bailout: Regulate CBD
• Support Your Parks. In public forests across the country, rangers and park enforcement agents are swamped with the work of eradicating illegal cannabis grows. While the work piles on, support does not: Headwater Economics’ recent analysis showed that visitation to US Forest Service and BLM land is up 15%, but budgets are down about the same amount. Parks need financial support and volunteerism now more than ever! Forget going to the mall — take yourself to a public forest and show Mother Nature some love. 

 

The Problem: Water Scarcity

  In a handful of US states — Colorado and California among them — water scarcity is a serious concern. Global warming is exacerbating the problem, and not going away any time soon. While some state programs, like California’s State Water Board’s Cannabis Cultivation Program seek to nip water issues around household growth in the bud, most states don’t have such stringent measures.   Depending on the grower, water use isn’t often very high compared to other popular crops in the region. Environmental scientists at University of California Berkeley put the range as low as 2 liters and as high as 22 liters per plant per day during peak watering months. This means less water is used than to grow almonds, pistachios, corn or potatoes.    

The Consumer-Based Solution:

 

• Look for Companies that are Addressing the Problem. The good news is, most companies really care about this issue. Check out some clever ways companies are looking to save water by using efficient irrigation and water reclamation techniques. Up-and-coming ideas also include nitrogen-recycling aquaponic systems like this one in Canada, or to cut out the plant and water usage altogether by making yeast grow CBD and THC directly instead.
• See also: How Cannabis Businesses Have Adapted To COVID-19
• Ask the Tough Questions. You worked hard to make that money, and want to make sure it doesn’t aid watershed destruction. Don’t be afraid to ask where things come from, and how they are made. If your dispensary doesn’t know, look up company websites and don’t hesitate to shoot an email or two in the name of conscientious consumerism. If you buy your own plant starts to grow at home, be sure to seek out companies like Dark Heart Nursery, who are exacting about their ozone water treatment and recycling systems. 

 

The Problem: Energy Use

  No matter the industry, alternative energy use and evaluation is at the forefront of combative measures against climate change. Of the 11 states in which adult-use cannabis is legal, only Massachusetts and Illinois provide energy efficiency standards for indoor growing. Oregon doesn’t have efficiency standards, but does require that cultivators estimate and report on energy use to the state. There has been disagreement over whether greenhouse or indoor-cultivated cannabis uses less energy (it’s generally agreed outdoor farming requires the least energy consumption) — and experts suggest it really depends on a combination of factors, including choice of lighting for indoor grows or efforts at carbon neutrality throughout the facility.   Solaris Farms, which operates as a desert greenhouse in Las Vegas, is one company finding unique solutions for harnessing the natural solar energy the grow has readily available. Too little sun, and the plants won’t grow, but too much and they fry. Solaris Farms’ greenhouse is a hybrid design featuring a glass roof with an upper shade system on the entire structure, which shades the sun at 50 percent. This system originated in Dubai, where it is used by farmers growing vegetables in desert greenhouses. Utilizing this specific design and technology has decreased Solaris’ electricity and energy use by a massive amount.  

The Consumer-Based Solution

 

• Put on Your Detective Hat. Once again, you’ll have to do some groundwork. Ask your local budtender about the various companies you hope to buy from, and be sure to keep an eye out for exciting models aimed around alternative energy sources. Also remember that buying locally means less fuel was used to transport that item to you. Seek out companies like Bluebird Botanicals, which works to create an eco-conscious supply chain literally from the ground up. They begin with choosing outdoor and greenhouse growers who use regenerative agricultural practices, and continue that dedication all the way through their use of sustainable packaging. 
• Support Initiatives Aimed at Creating Efficiency Standards. While voting with your dollar is essential, using your actual vote to initiate change is even more necessitous. Support policies and initiatives (and the people who support them) at your local polling place at every opportunity. Programs like Colorado’s carbon dioxide recycling pilot study — which traps CO2 emissions from beer production and cycles it into soil for cannabis growth — are turning heads across the country. Help push efficiency standards by taking part in the democratic process.

 

The Problem: Packaging

  According to the United Nations #BeatPlastic Initiative, “Around the world, one million plastic drinking bottles are purchased every minute, while up to 5 trillion single-use plastic bags are used worldwide every year. In total, half of all plastic produced is designed to be used only once — and then thrown away.”   The cannabis industry faces particular plastic waste challenges, as each state has separate regulations around size of packaging or labels, as well as requiring child-proofing nationwide. Hemp plastics look like an up-and-coming option for many plastics problems, but the solution begins in the hands and demands of customers.  

The Consumer-Based Solution

 

• Reuse and Upcycle before you Recycle. The good and bad news is, most packaging cannabis comes in from the dispensary is very reusable and only sometimes recyclable. Some companies like PAQcase take the reusable call to action a step further than the dispensary — setting you up with joint cases so you can roll at home and ditch the dispensary pre-roll waste.  Single joint containers through larger resealable containers can be used for spices, craft supplies, or dozens of other reorganizing purposes. Glass jars in particular can be great for decoration and upcycling. 
• See also: Survey Suggests Cannabis Consumers Are Increasingly Turning To Vaporizers Vs. Traditional Joints

  Just can’t seem to find a use? Make sure before you buy that if you aren’t going to reuse it, it also won’t end up in a landfill. The sad truth of recycling is that the success of an item being recycled is dependent on its value for repurchasers of recycled waste. There’s no guarantee that the items you place in the recycling bin will end up actually being repurchased, and so can end up in a landfill despite your best intentions.   Please recycle appropriately in your community, or better yet reach out to local dispensaries to find out if they participate in a reuse program, like Terracycle’s Cannabis Packaging Recycling Program.  

• Seek Out Sustainable Businesses. Try avoiding any single-use packaging and hardware, like single-cartridge vaporizers. Search for companies that have recollection programs, and look for creative solutions in the industry. For example, Sana Packaging’s products are made using 100% plant-based hemp plastic, 100% reclaimed ocean plastic, and other sustainable materials. 

 

In Conclusion

  Like all commerce in the United States, cannabis consumers have to put in the research to make sure the purchases they make ally with their consciousnesses. While it’s great that organizations like the Global Cannabis Partnership push for environmental and social cognizance in the cannabis industry, the crux of change lies in the hands and wallets of the public.   Put your money where your priorities are.  If you care about recycling, always use recyclable packaging and eco-friendly containers. Care about the water table and pesticide use? Purchasing through a legitimate dispensary is imperative. Care about all of it? Be extremely discerning — it’s your money! Put on your eco-conscientious detective cap and spend your money where it matters most to you.  

Medical cannabis patients have a new option to buy bulk and reduce the amount of packaging their medicine comes in.   On Wednesday, Hexo Corp. (TSX and NYSE: HEXO) launched a 30-gram bulk product of the company’s Tsunami dried flower strain. Because all products need to meet Health Canada’s packaging regulations, buying more weed in a single bag produces less packaging waste than buying several smaller packages for the same overall amount of cannabis.   Offering bulk to medical patients is an “important step on Hexo’s sustainability journey,” the company said in a press release.   Sustainability has been a stumbling block for the regulated market.   Under the Cannabis Act, packaging needs to be opaque, child-resistant and water proof. This has lead many companies to use plastic packaging instead of biodegradable materials. Some recycling programs exist for cannabis packaging, like TerraCycle which recycles any licensed producer’s packaging, as well as vape products made by Canopy Growth Corp. (TSX: WEED).   Other packaging can be recycled in Ontario’s curb-side pickup, according to the Ontario Cannabis Store. But buying bulk remains the leading way to reduce packaging.   “We know our medical clients have been waiting for this opportunity to purchase a higher volume of cannabis without excess packaging,” Hexo CEO and co-founder Sebastien St-Louis said in the release.   The company offers medical patients free shipping and absorbs the cost of the excise tax on all orders, St-Louis added.   So far, the 30-gram bag is only available for medical users but not for regular adult users.   The fruity indica-dominant strain is a Northern Lights variant with a 20–26 per cent THC kick and less than 1 per cent CBD potency, according to BC Cannabis. But more strains will be added to the 30-gram format soon, St-Louis said.   In October 2019, Hexo launched a bulk 28-gram format for recreational users. The bigger bag of weed continues to go for $140 for 28 grams, or $5 per gram, which was around $0.60 cheaper than the price-per-gram of the unregulated market, according to self-submitted data collected by Statistics Canada.   The “quality weed at legit prices,” was designed to disrupt the unregulated market, St-Louis said in an October statement. “Consistent, reliable and controlled products like this can play a major role in achieving the goals we set out nationally by legalizing cannabis just over a year ago: eliminating the illicit market and protecting public health and safety.”

BURLINGTON, ON, March 12, 2020 /CNW/ - Burlington's newest licensed cannabis retailer is encouraging residents to go green by offering their customers a $1.00 store credit in return for recycling legal cannabis packaging.* Corner Cannabis at 3007 New Street (which recently celebrated its grand opening on February 24, 2020) is excited to announce its participation in the Tweed x TerraCycle recycling initiative, Canada's first country-wide cannabis packaging recycling program.     "With Earth Day quickly approaching, Corner Cannabis and Ontario Cannabis Holdings Corp. are keen to show its commitment to a cleaner environment and the Burlington community," said Jon Conquergood, CEO of Ontario Cannabis Holdings, owner of Corner Cannabis brands.   In honour of Earth Day, between March 12 and April 22, Corner Cannabis will provide consumers with a $1.00 store credit for every piece of cannabis packaging purchased from a licensed cannabis retailer, including plastic bottles, tins, pre-roll tubes, and flexible plastic bags. Returned packaging will be transported, cleaned, sorted and processed into plastic pellets and precious metals. These pellets can be used to create park benches, picnic tables, playgrounds and many other products.   The Corner Cannabis team is committed to ongoing environmental and community-focused initiatives. "Sometimes, it is easy to become complacent with our responsibilities to recycle and keep our communities clean," said Conquergood. "To help out, we are adding a financial incentive to our customers to remind them that it pays to be green. We also intend to demonstrate ongoing social responsibility by contributing a group of volunteers to support BurlingtonGreen's city-wide Clean Up event in April and Green Up (tree planting) event in May."   Come meet the team at Corner Cannabis located at 3007 New Street in Burlington, and help us set a good, neighbourly example.   * This program does not accept cannabis vapes. The vape recycling program is coming soon. Details in store.   About Corner Cannabis Corner Cannabis is an AGCO licensed retail store, built in partnership with Ontario Cannabis Holdings Corp, a licensed cannabis retail operator. Corner Cannabis stores are comfortable, welcoming and intelligently designed for a more convenient shopping experience where staff are friendly, approachable and highly trained. We are committed to social responsibility by being an active and responsible member of the communities in which we operate.   About Terracycle TerraCycle is an innovative waste management company with a mission to recycle the "non-recyclable." TerraCycle partners with leading consumer product companies, retailers, cities, and facilities to recycle products and packages, from cannabis packaging to cigarette butts. To learn more about TerraCycle or to get involved in its recycling programs, visit www.terracycle.com.

When legalization came into fruition, Canadians soon realized that the cannabis industry was far from green. The cause—excessive packaging. Canada has some of the strictest packaging regulations in the world. The Federal Cannabis Act mandates packaging to be opaque, child-resistant, tamper-evident, waterproof, and contaminate proof. Add Health Canada’s requirements for health warnings, a standardized cannabis symbol, and specific product information and you now have a lot of packaging accompanying even small amounts of cannabis. The Price of Packaging Public outcry for more sustainable solutions followed, and retailers were just as concerned. However, there were hurdles to overcome. Efforts by licensed producers (LPs) to meet regulations have led to the use of several diverse materials, which made recycling through conventional means difficult. Refilling containers was also not an option due to packaging requirements. Courtesy of Garden Variety Cameron Brown, communications officer for The Hunny Pot Cannabis, in Toronto, shares retailers’ frustration. “When we entered the industry, sustainability was top of mind for our team. We opened on April 1, 2019, and from the beginning, we wanted to recycle our packaging properly as well as work on other initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint.” The store receives on average 250 to 500 shipping boxes per week. Brown says their first step was to ensure staff members were separating products properly. Then they needed a program to dispose of the actual containers. Thankfully, Canopy Growth had recognized the problem early on and partnered with TerraCycle, a global leader specializing in hard-to-recycle materials. Their stores Tweed and Tokyo Smoke accept any packaging purchased from licensed retailers, including outer and inner packaging, tins, joint tubes, plastic bottles, caps, and flexible plastic bags. This recycling solution is also available to other retailers. “The program is Canada’s first and largest cannabis packaging recycling program,” states Alex Payne, public relations for TerraCycle North America. “Since its launch in October 2018, the program has signed up 412 cannabis retailers across the country and collected 2,372,634 units of packaging or 47,000 lbs. as of November 2019. These numbers continue to grow as new retailers get involved every month.” “The Hunny Pot reached out to Canopy Growth and TerraCycle to become a part of their program. As of November 2019, we have shipped 25,000 containers to TerraCycle. Our customers are making a real effort to bring the packaging back.” Brown adds that is thanks in part to their one-on-one service that provides education for the consumer. Jason Richeson, store manager for Garden Variety in Manitoba, shares how their popular recycling program, done in partnership with LP, Zenabis, is a little different. “We wanted to stand apart and increase customer incentive. Therefore, we offer clients a 50-cent credit per returned container. Customers can bring in up to 10 items ($5.00 credit) to be redeemed off their purchase daily.” LPs Standing Out with Sustainable Products Co-founder and Executive Director of Freedom Cannabis, Troy Dezwart, states that they are one of the few federally licensed growers committed to not using plastic containers for the recreational market. The privately-owned producer located in Acheson, Alberta, will be the first in Canada to use Nitrotins, which are fully recyclable. As part of the packaging process, a drop of liquid nitrogen is used to purge air from the Nitrotin. This process has the added benefit of increasing the product’s shelf life and maintaining quality. Freedom Cannabis products began distribution in late 2019, early 2020 and retailers are excited about the new packaging. Industry Tight-lipped Regarding Vape Products As the marketplace prepares for the introduction of cannabis vape pens and cartridges, a whole new set of recycling woes await. Vape products are more complex to recycle as they contain several different materials, batteries, and electronics in small quantities that need to be separated. A viable recycling program will require scale and time to develop. Most producers and retailers are without a solid recycling plan. Dezwart says Freedom Cannabis is still working on finding high-quality vape products with recyclable parts. Courtesy of The Hunny Pot Cannabis The Hunny Pot shares that they are in open discussions with LPs regarding their plans for new products and how to recycle them. “We will continue to keep on our producers to ensure we have a solution,” adds Brown. “We are not even sure if there will be an opportunity to recycle them yet,” says Richeson. “Garden Variety’s management company, Native Roots in Colorado, is experiencing this now. It’s a real concern because the sector blew up for them, overtaking flower sales.” This is predicted to happen in Canada as well. “Unfortunately, cannabis vape cartridges are not currently accepted through the Cannabis Packaging Recycling Program,” says TerraCycle’s Payne. It seems the consensus remains to wait and see. Social Responsibility Beyond Recycling Throughout all the highs and lows that the industry has faced, it is reassuring to see retailers and producers showing their commitment to social responsibility. Beyond its recycling efforts, The Hunny Pot now offers 100% biodegradable plastic bags. Bags can be kept to use them again; however, once exposed to the elements, they will break down completely within 18 months. This spring, the company is also looking forward to having beehives installed on its roof, furthering their environmental commitment. On the production end, as LPs begin to increase their scale and expand their product focus, cost savings have allowed them to start exploring more advanced sustainable packaging. And, eco-friendly packaging could be just the marketing tool they need to make their green products stand out. Author: Tania Moffat

When legalization came into fruition, Canadians soon realized that the cannabis industry was far from green. The cause—excessive packaging. Canada has some of the strictest packaging regulations in the world. The Federal Cannabis Act mandates packaging to be opaque, child-resistant, tamper-evident, waterproof, and contaminate proof. Add Health Canada’s requirements for health warnings, a standardized cannabis symbol, and specific product information and you now have a lot of packaging accompanying even small amounts of cannabis. The Price of Packaging Public outcry for more sustainable solutions followed, and retailers were just as concerned. However, there were hurdles to overcome. Efforts by licensed producers (LPs) to meet regulations have led to the use of several diverse materials, which made recycling through conventional means difficult. Refilling containers was also not an option due to packaging requirements.  

  Cameron Brown, communications officer for The Hunny Pot Cannabis, in Toronto, shares retailers’ frustration. “When we entered the industry, sustainability was top of mind for our team. We opened on April 1, 2019, and from the beginning, we wanted to recycle our packaging properly as well as work on other initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint.” The store receives on average 250 to 500 shipping boxes per week. Brown says their first step was to ensure staff members were separating products properly. Then they needed a program to dispose of the actual containers. Thankfully, Canopy Growth had recognized the problem early on and partnered with TerraCycle, a global leader specializing in hard-to-recycle materials. Their stores Tweed and Tokyo Smoke accept any packaging purchased from licensed retailers, including outer and inner packaging, tins, joint tubes, plastic bottles, caps, and flexible plastic bags. This recycling solution is also available to other retailers. “The program is Canada’s first and largest cannabis packaging recycling program,” states Alex Payne, public relations for TerraCycle North America. “Since its launch in October 2018, the program has signed up 412 cannabis retailers across the country and collected 2,372,634 units of packaging or 47,000 lbs. as of November 2019. These numbers continue to grow as new retailers get involved every month.” “The Hunny Pot reached out to Canopy Growth and TerraCycle to become a part of their program. As of November 2019, we have shipped 25,000 containers to TerraCycle. Our customers are making a real effort to bring the packaging back.” Brown adds that is thanks in part to their one-on-one service that provides education for the consumer. Jason Richeson, store manager for Garden Variety in Manitoba, shares how their popular recycling program, done in partnership with LP, Zenabis, is a little different. “We wanted to stand apart and increase customer incentive. Therefore, we offer clients a 50-cent credit per returned container. Customers can bring in up to 10 items ($5.00 credit) to be redeemed off their purchase daily.” LPs Standing Out with Sustainable Products Co-founder and Executive Director of Freedom Cannabis, Troy Dezwart, states that they are one of the few federally licensed growers committed to not using plastic containers for the recreational market. The privately-owned producer located in Acheson, Alberta, will be the first in Canada to use Nitrotins, which are fully recyclable. As part of the packaging process, a drop of liquid nitrogen is used to purge air from the Nitrotin. This process has the added benefit of increasing the product’s shelf life and maintaining quality. Freedom Cannabis products began distribution in late 2019, early 2020 and retailers are excited about the new packaging. Industry Tight-lipped Regarding Vape Products As the marketplace prepares for the introduction of cannabis vape pens and cartridges, a whole new set of recycling woes await. Vape products are more complex to recycle as they contain several different materials, batteries, and electronics in small quantities that need to be separated. A viable recycling program will require scale and time to develop. Most producers and retailers are without a solid recycling plan. Dezwart says Freedom Cannabis is still working on finding high-quality vape products with recyclable parts.  

  The Hunny Pot shares that they are in open discussions with LPs regarding their plans for new products and how to recycle them. “We will continue to keep on our producers to ensure we have a solution,” adds Brown. “We are not even sure if there will be an opportunity to recycle them yet,” says Richeson. “Garden Variety’s management company, Native Roots in Colorado, is experiencing this now. It’s a real concern because the sector blew up for them, overtaking flower sales.” This is predicted to happen in Canada as well. “Unfortunately, cannabis vape cartridges are not currently accepted through the Cannabis Packaging Recycling Program,” says TerraCycle’s Payne. It seems the consensus remains to wait and see. Social Responsibility Beyond Recycling Throughout all the highs and lows that the industry has faced, it is reassuring to see retailers and producers showing their commitment to social responsibility. Beyond its recycling efforts, The Hunny Pot now offers 100% biodegradable plastic bags. Bags can be kept to use them again; however, once exposed to the elements, they will break down completely within 18 months. This spring, the company is also looking forward to having beehives installed on its roof, furthering their environmental commitment. On the production end, as LPs begin to increase their scale and expand their product focus, cost savings have allowed them to start exploring more advanced sustainable packaging. And, eco-friendly packaging could be just the marketing tool they need to make their green products stand out.

Issues such as plastic containers inside boxes remain a talking point when customers go to purchase a product, and some managers say it sometimes turns customers away.   Cannabis suppliers across the country are required by law to present the correct labels and warnings on their products, which takes up space and creates excess packaging.   However, an initiative by a cannabis supplier in Canada has allowed shops across Canada to go green.   Since before shops started to open in the Okanagan, Terracycle, a private U.S. recycling business, partnered with Tweed, a cannabis supplier based out of Ontario, to recycle any and all cannabis packaging purchased from a licensed retailer. Aside from some vape-related products, the program accepts many forms of packaging including outer plastic packaging, inner plastic packaging, tins, joint tubes, plastic bottles, plastic caps, and flexible plastic bags.   The program accepts products from both individuals and retail partners in every province except the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut.   Locally, cardboard Terracycle bins can be seen near the front counter of licensed retail shops. Once a bin is full, retailers package the waste into a box and send it to Terracycle via UPS, where the packaging and plastic is broken down and refurbished into new products.   The four licensed stores in Penticton are among approximately 450 other cannabis stores in partnership with Terracycle.   Spiritleaf owner Matt Bolton said so far, they have shipped approximately 18-20 bins worth of recycled products since they opened in August.   “Packaging has been… one of the biggest complaints that we hear here in the legal market,” he said. “The fact that we do offer that program, we’ve offered it pretty much since the first week of opening; that has been great.”   The Terracycle program accepts most things except for some vaping products such as the batteries and cartridges, however Spiritleaf has taken it upon themselves to offer recycling of this product.   “We’ve basically taken it on ourselves where we said, we’ll hold onto it all, until it’s figured out where they are going to go, and then we will dispose of it properly,” said Bolton.   Cannabis Cottage supervisor Corey Young said the reactions from customers when they find out about the recycling program are very positive. He stated one of the main complaints they receive is also about packaging.   “There is a lot of excess packaging,” he said. “And unfortunately a lot of the companies are slow to come out with new versions. So in the meantime, I believe it’s (Terracycle) essential.”   Although he couldn’t confirm an exact amount, Young estimated they have collected about 800 packages from customers in the past month.   “I think other companies should follow Tweed’s lead in creating their own recycling programs as well,” he said.   In October, the Tweed/TerraCycle program announced the collection of over one million pieces of used cannabis packaging from across the nation, recycling over 22,000 pounds of plastic containers, tubes, and bottles.   Bud-tender at Greenery Cannabis Boutique, Geoffrey Small, said customers seem relieved when they find out what Tweed and Terracycle are doing to help mitigate the issue of excess packaging.   Although some companies package less than other, Green Gaia Cannabis Co. manager Katerina Bakalos said the recycling program is a great service to have, and well-received by customers. So far, Green Gaia has collected thousands of product packages.   In conversations with some licenced producers, Bakalos understands that changes are coming with regards to packaging. This, she explained, is the focus for several producers, now that the 2.0 products, or edibles and concentrates, are on the shelves. In late December, retailers around Canada, including Penticton, started to receive 2.0 cannabis products.   “I’m sure once a few of the producers do it (repackaging), it’s going to start a domino effect,” said Bakalos. “Because I do believe, some of the packaging, people won’t buy it (because) it’s too thick of plastic or too big a box, that kind of thing.”   “Plastic containers within a box, it’s almost like double-packaging.”   Looking forward, all shops expressed their excitement as their first full summer season approaches.  

Issues such as plastic containers inside boxes remain a talking point when customers go to purchase a product, and some managers say it sometimes turns customers away.   Cannabis suppliers across the country are required by law to present the correct labels and warnings on their products, which takes up space and creates excess packaging.   However, an initiative by a cannabis supplier in Canada has allowed shops across Canada to go green.   Since before shops started to open in the Okanagan, Terracycle, a private U.S. recycling business, partnered with Tweed, a cannabis supplier based out of Ontario, to recycle any and all cannabis packaging purchased from a licensed retailer. Aside from some vape-related products, the program accepts many forms of packaging including outer plastic packaging, inner plastic packaging, tins, joint tubes, plastic bottles, plastic caps, and flexible plastic bags.   The program accepts products from both individuals and retail partners in every province except the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut.   Locally, cardboard Terracycle bins can be seen near the front counter of licensed retail shops. Once a bin is full, retailers package the waste into a box and send it to Terracycle via UPS, where the packaging and plastic is broken down and refurbished into new products.   The four licensed stores in Penticton are among approximately 450 other cannabis stores in partnership with Terracycle.   Spiritleaf owner Matt Bolton said so far, they have shipped approximately 18-20 bins worth of recycled products since they opened in August.   “Packaging has been… one of the biggest complaints that we hear here in the legal market,” he said. “The fact that we do offer that program, we’ve offered it pretty much since the first week of opening; that has been great.”   The Terracycle program accepts most things except for some vaping products such as the batteries and cartridges, however Spiritleaf has taken it upon themselves to offer recycling of this product.   “We’ve basically taken it on ourselves where we said, we’ll hold onto it all, until it’s figured out where they are going to go, and then we will dispose of it properly,” said Bolton.   Cannabis Cottage supervisor Corey Young said the reactions from customers when they find out about the recycling program are very positive. He stated one of the main complaints they receive is also about packaging.   “There is a lot of excess packaging,” he said. “And unfortunately a lot of the companies are slow to come out with new versions. So in the meantime, I believe it’s (Terracycle) essential.”   Although he couldn’t confirm an exact amount, Young estimated they have collected about 800 packages from customers in the past month.   “I think other companies should follow Tweed’s lead in creating their own recycling programs as well,” he said.   In October, the Tweed/TerraCycle program announced the collection of over one million pieces of used cannabis packaging from across the nation, recycling over 22,000 pounds of plastic containers, tubes, and bottles.   Bud-tender at Greenery Cannabis Boutique, Geoffrey Small, said customers seem relieved when they find out what Tweed and Terracycle are doing to help mitigate the issue of excess packaging.   Although some companies package less than other, Green Gaia Cannabis Co. manager Katerina Bakalos said the recycling program is a great service to have, and well-received by customers. So far, Green Gaia has collected thousands of product packages.   In conversations with some licenced producers, Bakalos understands that changes are coming with regards to packaging. This, she explained, is the focus for several producers, now that the 2.0 products, or edibles and concentrates, are on the shelves. In late December, retailers around Canada, including Penticton, started to receive 2.0 cannabis products.   “I’m sure once a few of the producers do it (repackaging), it’s going to start a domino effect,” said Bakalos. “Because I do believe, some of the packaging, people won’t buy it (because) it’s too thick of plastic or too big a box, that kind of thing.”   “Plastic containers within a box, it’s almost like double-packaging.”   Looking forward, all shops expressed their excitement as their first full summer season approaches.

Across the board, one of the biggest complaints that licensed cannabis shops in Penticton receive is that the packaging of products is excessive and unnecessary. Issues such as plastic containers inside boxes remain a talking point when customers go to purchase a product, and some managers say it sometimes turns customers away. Cannabis suppliers across the country are required by law to present the correct labels and warnings on their products, which takes up space and creates excess packaging. However, an initiative by a cannabis supplier in Canada has allowed shops across Canada to go green. Since before shops started to open in the Okanagan, Terracycle, a private U.S. recycling business, partnered with Tweed, a cannabis supplier based out of Ontario, to recycle any and all cannabis packaging purchased from a licensed retailer. Aside from some vape-related products, the program accepts many forms of packaging including outer plastic packaging, inner plastic packaging, tins, joint tubes, plastic bottles, plastic caps, and flexible plastic bags. READ MORE: Prices for recreational marijuana in B.C. down from a year ago The program accepts products from both individuals and retail partners in every province except the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut. Locally, cardboard Terracycle bins can be seen near the front counter of licensed retail shops. Once a bin is full, retailers package the waste into a box and send it to Terracycle via UPS, where the packaging and plastic is broken down and refurbished into new products. The four licensed stores in Penticton are among approximately 450 other cannabis stores in partnership with Terracycle. Spiritleaf owner Matt Bolton said so far, they have shipped approximately 18-20 bins worth of recycled products since they opened in August. “Packaging has been… one of the biggest complaints that we hear here in the legal market,” he said. “The fact that we do offer that program, we’ve offered it pretty much since the first week of opening; that has been great.” The Terracycle program accepts most things except for some vaping products such as the batteries and cartridges, however Spiritleaf has taken it upon themselves to offer recycling of this product. “We’ve basically taken it on ourselves where we said, we’ll hold onto it all, until it’s figured out where they are going to go, and then we will dispose of it properly,” said Bolton. Cannabis Cottage supervisor Corey Young said the reactions from customers when they find out about the recycling program are very positive. He stated one of the main complaints they receive is also about packaging. “There is a lot of excess packaging,” he said. “And unfortunately a lot of the companies are slow to come out with new versions. So in the meantime, I believe it’s (Terracycle) essential.” Although he couldn’t confirm an exact amount, Young estimated they have collected about 800 packages from customers in the past month. “I think other companies should follow Tweed’s lead in creating their own recycling programs as well,” he said. In October, the Tweed/TerraCycle program announced the collection of over one million pieces of used cannabis packaging from across the nation, recycling over 22,000 pounds of plastic containers, tubes, and bottles. Bud-tender at Greenery Cannabis Boutique, Geoffrey Small, said customers seem relieved when they find out what Tweed and Terracycle are doing to help mitigate the issue of excess packaging. Although some companies package less than other, Green Gaia Cannabis Co. manager Katerina Bakalos said the recycling program is a great service to have, and well-received by customers. So far, Green Gaia has collected thousands of product packages. In conversations with some licenced producers, Bakalos understands that changes are coming with regards to packaging. This, she explained, is the focus for several producers, now that the 2.0 products, or edibles and concentrates, are on the shelves. In late December, retailers around Canada, including Penticton, started to receive 2.0 cannabis products. “I’m sure once a few of the producers do it (repackaging), it’s going to start a domino effect,” said Bakalos. “Because I do believe, some of the packaging, people won’t buy it (because) it’s too thick of plastic or too big a box, that kind of thing.” “Plastic containers within a box, it’s almost like double-packaging.” Looking forward, all shops expressed their excitement as their first full summer season approaches.