Comparing Sustainable Packaging Materials: Impact Analysis

Cannabis companies face a packaging waste problem as the industry grows. Let’s look at eco-friendly packaging options:

Hemp Plastic
Recycled Plastic
Plant-Based Plastics
Glass
Aluminum
Recycled Paper and Cardboard

Quick Comparison:

Material	Environmental Impact	Cost	Product Protection
Hemp Plastic	Low	High	Good
Recycled Plastic	Medium	Medium	Good
Plant-Based Plastics	Low	High	Good
Glass	Medium	High	Excellent
Aluminum	Medium	Medium	Good
Recycled Paper/Cardboard	Low	Low	Limited

Key points:

Each material has trade-offs
Consider impact, cost, and protection
Small changes matter
Some companies are innovating

Let’s dive into each material.

1. Hemp Plastic

Hemp plastic is turning heads in cannabis packaging. It’s made from hemp fibers, a cannabis relative without THC.

How it’s made: Usually a mix of hemp fibers and other materials. Sana Packaging uses 30% hemp and 70% corn-based plastic (PLA).

Environmental impact:

Biodegradable
Absorbs carbon (2.5-acre hemp field can absorb 16 tons)
Needs less water and no pesticides

Cost and production: Pricier than regular plastic, but could get cheaper with wider use.

Regulations: Legal in many U.S. states, but follow local and federal rules.

Performance: Strong as or stronger than many single-use plastics.

Quick comparison:

Feature	Hemp Plastic	Regular Plastic
Source	Renewable (hemp)	Non-renewable (oil)
Biodegradable	Yes	No
Carbon footprint	Lower	Higher
Current cost	Higher	Lower
Strength	Similar or better	Varies

Hemp plastic looks good, but it’s not perfect. Most are still mixed with other materials. The challenge? Making pure hemp plastic that’s affordable for wide use.

2. Recycled Plastic

Recycled plastic is gaining traction in cannabis packaging. Here’s the scoop:

Production: Made from post-consumer materials through collecting, sorting, cleaning, shredding, and reforming.

Environmental Impact:

Cuts landfill waste and ocean pollution
Lowers CO2 emissions
Saves energy and resources

But the recycling process itself needs energy and produces some emissions.

Performance:

Issue	Description
Strength	Can be weaker than virgin plastic
Color	Affected by recycling process
Consistency	Quality varies between batches

Cost: Often pricier than virgin plastic due to processing costs.

Regulations:

No nationwide recycling laws in the U.S.
Some states have Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) bills
California requires increasing recycled content in plastic beverage bottles

Industry Examples:

Sana Packaging uses 100% reclaimed ocean plastic
Canopy Growth uses 90% recycled plastic for some products

"Real plastic recycling happens when manufacturers convert recycled material into new products." – Mark Murray, Californians Against Waste

Recycled plastic has challenges, but it’s a step towards eco-friendly packaging. Companies should weigh pros and cons and consider blending recycled and virgin plastics.

3. Plant-Based Plastics

Plant-based plastics like PLA and PHA are gaining ground in cannabis packaging.

Production:

PLA: Made from corn, sugarcane, and cassava
PHA: Produced by bacteria, algae, and plant oils

Environmental Impact:

Aspect	PLA	PHA
Biodegradability	Industrial composting only	Both industrial and natural
GHG Emissions	25% lower than petroleum-based	Can be lower
Land Use	High	Lower

Both reduce fossil fuel reliance but have drawbacks.

Performance:

Characteristic	PLA	PHA
Strength	Stiffer, brittle	More flexible
Thermal Stability	Lower	Varies
Barrier Properties	Improvable with additives	Generally good

Cost: PLA is cheaper to produce than PHA, but PHA costs may decrease.

Regulations and Disposal:

Need proper disposal for effective biodegradation
Many regions lack industrial composting facilities
Improper disposal can produce methane in landfills

"You put it on the package [that it] is biodegradable, but… they will not biodegrade." – Frederik Wurm, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research

Tips for Cannabis Brands:

Check local composting facilities
Consider blending PLA with materials like wood flour
Educate customers on proper disposal

Plant-based plastics have potential, but effectiveness depends on proper production, use, and disposal.

4. Glass

Glass packaging is a cannabis industry staple. Let’s break it down:

Environmental Impact:

Highly recyclable, reusable indefinitely
Energy-intensive production and transportation

Performance:

Aspect	Performance
Airtightness	Excellent seal
UV Protection	Dark/tinted glass shields products
Odor Containment	Effective
Product Visibility	Allows customer inspection
Durability	Crush-resistant, maintains integrity

Glass jars come in various sizes for different product amounts.

Cost: More expensive than alternatives like mylar bags, both in cost and shipping.

Regulatory Compliance: Many manufacturers offer child-resistant caps and closures.

Tips for Cannabis Brands:

Use dark amber or cobalt glass for UV protection
Fill jars 2/3 full for air circulation
Consider glass for premium products

"Glass is an excellent storage medium, but use dark amber or cobalt glass." – Morpheus, Cornerstone Research

Glass offers advantages but comes with higher costs and logistical challenges. Its recyclability and product preservation make it a strong contender for sustainable cannabis packaging.

5. Aluminum

Aluminum packaging offers a mix of benefits for cannabis products:

Environmental Impact:

75% of all aluminum ever produced still in use
Recycling uses 95% less energy than new production
1 ton recycled saves 9 tons of carbon emissions

But bauxite mining can harm air and water quality.

Performance:

Aspect	Performance
Protection	Shields from light, air, moisture
Airtightness	Secure seal
Durability	Crush-resistant
Weight	Lightweight

"Aluminum is highly recyclable and… considered ‘endlessly recyclable’." – Robert Bulla, APC Packaging

Cost: Higher initial costs, but lightweight nature reduces shipping expenses.

Regulatory Compliance: Can meet child-resistance requirements with proper closures.

Potential Drawbacks:

Lack of transparency
Possible interaction with cannabis terpenes

Tips for Cannabis Brands:

Use for products needing strong protection
Explore refillable options
Test for terpene interactions

"Store cannabis in temperature-controlled environments, ideally between 52 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit." – Morpheus, Cornerstone Research

Aluminum offers strong environmental credentials and product protection, but brands must consider potential product interactions and consumer preferences.

6. Recycled Paper and Cardboard

Recycled paper and cardboard offer a mix of benefits for cannabis packaging:

Environmental Impact:

Made from renewable resources
Lightweight, reducing transportation emissions
Recyclable and compostable

Performance:

Aspect	Performance
Protection	Shields from light
Customization	Easily printable
Versatility	Suitable for various products
Weight	Lightweight

May not provide adequate moisture protection for some products.

Cost: Lower initial costs, but consider increased packaging volume and weight.

Regulatory Compliance: Can meet child-resistance requirements with proper design.

Recycling Challenges:

Cardboard often easier to recycle than paperboard
Must be clean and dry for recycling
Some consumers struggle to find recycling centers

Tips for Cannabis Brands:

Design for easy recyclability or compostability
Reduce overall packaging volume
Educate consumers on proper recycling

"The shift to sustainable packaging is critical for the cannabis industry, addressing environmental concerns while providing high-quality protection for products." – Industry Expert

Market Trends: Global paper packaging market valued at $202.46 billion in 2020, expected to grow at 2.30% CAGR from 2021 to 2028.

Regulatory Landscape: As of 2024, seven U.S. states have active Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws focusing on packaging waste.

Cannabis brands should stay informed about evolving regulations and seek sustainable solutions to meet consumer demands and legal requirements.

Wrap-up

Cannabis companies must balance regulations with environmental responsibility. Each packaging option has trade-offs:

Material	Environmental Impact	Cost	Product Protection
Hemp Plastic	Low	High	Good
Recycled Plastic	Medium	Medium	Good
Plant-Based Plastics	Low	High	Good
Glass	Medium	High	Excellent
Aluminum	Medium	Medium	Good
Recycled Paper/Cardboard	Low	Low	Limited

Focus on:

Reducing single-use packaging
Sourcing materials locally
Educating consumers about recycling
Innovating for reusability

Some companies leading the way:

Calyx Containers: 56% recycled content in glass packaging
Sun Grown Packaging: First patent for recyclable, compostable, child-resistant packaging
Sana Packaging: Hemp-based plastic

"Our products can be used in many ways. We absolutely stress the importance of reusing them." – Colette Bazirgan, Calyx Containers

Remember, small changes matter:

"Implementing even one or two tips can make a big difference." – David Craig, Illicit Gardens