Cannabis companies that consider themselves “eco-conscious” or environmentally aware are working to integrate sustainable practices into each part of their seed-to-sale processes. Cultivators are trying to use sustainable practices to grow, processors are looking at ways to reduce their carbon footprint, and cannabis companies are wanting to use sustainable marijuana packaging materials that are both compliant and not a threat to the environment.
What is Sustainability?
The word sustainability for the cannabis industry is often used as a buzzword. For the purposes of this article, we define sustainability as focusing on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
The concept of sustainability is generally tied to three pillars: economic, environmental, and social—also known informally as profits, planet, and people. Thus, sustainability isn’t just about recycling and implementing environmentally sound practices, but also in the crucial decisions companies make in their business processes.
Each cannabis company will have its own definition of sustainability and benchmarks on how to achieve this ideal. Still, when looking for a packaging company, there are a few things cannabis companies can keep in mind in terms of sustainability:
Materials + Films Used
Because of the requirements that packaging is opaque, child-proof, and odor-resistant, there are limitations to the types of materials that a cannabis packaging company can use. However, the cannabis industry is becoming quite innovative in how they package materials. For instance, while few companies have achieved a fully recyclable or biodegradable product, some cannabis companies are utilizing hemp packaging where possible.
When deciding on a packaging company to work with, ask them about their product features that make their packaging sustainable. Is their packaging multi-use or single-use? Are any parts of their packaging recyclable? Do they offer PCR or compostable packaging solutions? Asking these questions can help the cannabis company understand where they can add sustainable practices along their seed-to-sale chain.
Sourcing of Materials
The sourcing of materials is a measure of sustainability that many companies may not consider in their packaging and labeling.
Many companies value the “buy local” movement and opt to purchase products domestically to invest back into the local/national economy and reduce the carbon footprint of the cost for transport.
Cannabis companies considering eco friendly marijuana packaging and labeling should think about the where as much as the what when sourcing materials. Where can your dollars be leveraged to impact local or domestic economies?
Short vs. Long Run Printing
Many packaging companies offering services to the cannabis industry offer only large order minimums, forcing companies to often buy more packaging or labels than needed. This is particularly hard on the budget when there has been a change in the label and there needs to be a reprint. Long-run and large minimum orders run the risk of wasted plastic and film materials.
Smaller to medium-sized packaging companies are more equipped to deal with short-run orders that won’t force the client to order more packaging than needed.
Protecting the Integrity of Cannabis
Sustainability in the cannabis industry extends to the plant itself. Preserving the shelf life of cannabis products ensures the resources used to grow the cannabis have not gone to waste.
The sustainable cannabis packaging should be both compliant and strong enough to protect the integrity of the cannabis inside. A cannabis user should be able to keep their cannabis in the original package until it’s finished, without the product being compromised over time.
When considering a packaging type, ask the important questions about the materials and whether it is strong enough to protect the product, and thus, the user.
Sustainable Business Practices
There are a number of sustainable business practices that both cannabis companies and packaging companies can undertake to increase their dedication to sustainability.
Some of these practices include instituting, recycling programs for packaged goods, using only energy-efficient products, effective waste management, and instituting carpooling, work from home, or encouraging green transport.
Corporate Social Responsibility Mission
One of the best things about the emerging and growing cannabis industry is that it encourages philanthropy, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and social equity. These practices will not only work to build a sustainable business, but a sustainable future for upcoming generations and for the industry itself.
How will you display your CSR mission in your packaging and labeling? Will this become a feature of your digital design? Utilize your packaging as a way to demonstrate your dedication to building a better world through cannabis.
Sustainability Education
With sustainability, cannabis companies can’t just talk the talk, they also have to walk the walk by actively referring to their sustainability mission. Cannabis companies that actively demonstrate their sustainability missions not only create a better future, but they also set an example for other CPG industries.
In addition to this, utilizing sustainable practices in packaging and labeling tells your customer that you care about the environment and the future of the earth by using sustainable practices to cultivate cannabis, preserve that cannabis, and thus provide the consumer with an excellent cannabis experience.
Find Sustainable Packaging Solutions
Cannabis companies that are considering packaging and labeling solutions want to have the important sustainability conversation at the forefront of a business relationship. In what ways can a packaging company help a cannabis company reduce its carbon footprint? How can the packaging company help limit the impact of the cannabis company on the planet now, so it preserves it into the future?
At Seed & Seal Packaging Company, we offer various offerings for your eco friendly cannabis packaging solutions, including a recyclable child-resistant zipper. We are also excited to be in the process of finalizing a Post Consumer Recycled (PCR) child-resistant film.
Consult with our packaging experts today to hear about how we are integrating sustainability into our packaging so that your cannabis company can continue to adhere to and exceed your sustainability mission.
