A Guide for Consumers – Concerned about the excessiveness of recreational cannabis packaging? Understand the reasons behind it and discover the best ways to recycle various types of cannabis containers and packagings. Here’s your comprehensive guide to responsible cannabis packaging disposal in compliance with your local regulations.

Recycling Cannabis Packaging: An Overview

The good news is that most cannabis packaging are recyclable. While there’s room for improvement, several recycling options exist to prevent packaging from ending up in landfills. Explore the intricacies of recreational cannabis packaging, including the materials used, how to recycle, and handling non-recyclable packaging.

Why So Much Packaging?

Strict packaging and labeling requirements aim to prevent accidental consumption, deter children and youth, and provide consumers with essential product information. The regulations demand opaque or semi-transparent, tamper-evident, child-resistant, and contamination-resistant containers, making it challenging to use certain eco-friendly materials.

Health Warnings, Information, and Branding

Health Authorities enforce strict requirements for information displayed on cannabis labels, including health warnings and standardised symbols. Licensed Producers also focus on branding and quality maintenance, sometimes leading to the use of materials like plastic for its versatility, cost-effectiveness, and preservation properties.

Efforts Towards Sustainable Packaging

Despite the specific requirements, efforts are underway to improve cannabis packaging sustainability:

1. Less Weight: Many Licensed Producers reduce packaging size and weight, making transportation easier.

2. Recycled Content: Some use recycled materials or reclaimed ocean plastics.

3. Plastic Alternatives: Glass jars and cardboard boxes are increasingly common for products like dried flower and pre-rolls.

Can Cannabis Packaging Be Returned for Reuse?

Unfortunately, no. Regulations prevent the return of products for reuse or refilling by Producers

Recycling Shipping Boxes

Shipping materials are often reusable or recyclable. Recycle cardboard boxes, packing paper, and packing slips. While padded bubble mailers can’t be recycled as-is, separate the paper from the plastic lining for recycling.

Determining Recyclability of Cannabis Packaging

Cannabis products come in various formats such as resealable pouches, plastic jars, glass bottles, aluminum cans, plastic tubes, and cardboard boxes. To identify recyclable plastics, check the bottom for a code within the recycling symbol.

Commonly Used Materials in Cannabis Packaging and Their Recyclability

1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) (#1):

   • Commonly Used for: Dried flower jars, concentrate bottles

   • Recyclable : Accepted in almost all recycling programs

   • Common Repurposing: Textiles, carpets, pillow stuffing, life jackets, clothing, sleeping bags, winter coats.

2. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) (#2):

   • Commonly Used for: Dried flower jars, concentrate bottles

   • Recyclable : Accepted in almost all recycling programs

   • Common Repurposing: Picnic tables, park benches, plastic lumber, waste bins.

3. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) (#4):

   • Commonly Used for: Concentrate bottles

   • Recyclable : Accepted in most recycling programs

   • Common Repurposing: Plastic lumber, landscaping boards, garbage can liners, floor tiles.

4. Polypropylene (PP) (#5):

   • Commonly Used for: Dried flower jars, pre-roll tubes

   • Recyclable : Accepted in most recycling programs

   • Common Repurposing: Ice scrapers, brooms, battery cables.

5. Other Plastics or Multilayer Combinations (#7):

   • Commonly Used for: Pouches

   • Recyclable : Sometimes accepted however, not if lined with foil or Mylar

   • Common Repurposing: If recyclable, picnic tables, park benches, plastic lumber, waste bins.

6. Glass:

   • Commonly Used for: Dried flower jars, beverages

   • Recyclable : Accepted in almost all recycling programs

   • Common Repurposing: Glass bottles, jars, fibreglass.

7. Metal (Aluminium, Steel):

   • Commonly Used for: Beverages

   • Recyclable : Accepted in almost all recycling programs

   • Common Repurposing: Aluminium or steel cans, other products.

8. Paper/Cardboard:

   • Commonly Used for: Boxes

   • Recyclable in Ontario: Accepted in almost all recycling programs

   • Common Repurposing: Cardboard, recycled paper products.

Special Recycling Programs

Certain cannabis packaging may require special recycling programs. Some Authorised Cannabis Stores offer collection boxes for specific waste, such as vape cartridges and batteries.

Conclusion

Stay informed about your local curb-side recycling programs’ restrictions and requirements to ensure responsible disposal of cannabis packaging. With these insights, you can contribute to a sustainable approach to handling cannabis packaging waste in your hometown.