Hemp packaging could be a solution to the problem of disposable, single-use paper and plastic. “The statistics are in every second … a half-acre of trees are cut down,” said Matthew Glyer of Hemp. Press “7.5 billion trees for paper alone is not sustainable.”
Every industry is struggling with the growing problem of waste. The legal cannabis industry is no exception. Both medical and recreational dispensaries depend on plastic and foil containers which are used once, then thrown away. For the most part, these materials are not biodegradable. Single-use paper packaging is also commonplace in the industry.
While hemp plastic is still being perfected, companies like Sana Packaging are already creating composites from hemp and corn. Sana Packaging’s products are created using hemp hurd, the fibrous woody core of agricultural hemp, then combined with corn to create composite bioplastic. Working with domestically-sourced materials also ensures the sustainability of their products.
“Our hemp is sourced here domestically in Kentucky, processed in North Dakota and we manufacture in Minnesota and Arizona,” said Ron Basak-Smith of Sana Packaging. “All American made, all American supply chain.” Hemp.Press also targets the cannabis industry with products that replace boxes or display cards made from trees with hemp paper.
What is the Best Solution for Plastic Free Packaging?
According to Nielsen, 66% of respondents in their 2015 study were willing to pay more for products from businesses committed to a positive environmental impact. This is up from 55% in 2014, and 50% in 2013!
The message is clear: eco-friendliness is now a high priority for consumers.
Due to rising concerns about plastic pollution, plastic free packaging designs are becoming a much bigger talking point. We commonly get questions from our customers on “what packaging materials should I use instead of plastic?” Or “what are the most environmentally friendly ways of packaging products?”
Although packaging without plastic might seem like an impossible dream, there are many green alternatives to plastic available. These not only save on waste – eco-friendly substitutes can also save your business money in the long run!
Use Paper Packaging as the Backbone For Your Design
One of the easiest ways to achieve a plastic free packaging design is to use paper as your main packaging material. Paper and cardboard are renewable materials that are easy to source. They are also inexpensive and can be used for a variety of different packaging elements.
The Advantages of Paper Packaging
Paper packaging is easy for consumers to dispose of because it’s fully recyclable. This is important, as one of the biggest complaints about eCommerce packaging is that it uses non-recyclable elements.
Moreover, studies have shown that paper packaging has more benefits than being environmentally-friendly. A survey by the Paper and Packaging Board found that 71% of consumers were more likely to buy from brands that use paper or cardboard packaging. A further 63% saw paper and cardboard packaging as making products appear more high-end.
Paper and cardboard can replace plastic packaging in a variety of different ways, such as Boxes and containers, Gift bags, Tissue paper packaging, Packaging filler e.g. crinkle-cut paper
To make your packaging design as eco-friendly as possible, you can use recycled paper and use FSC-certified suppliers. This ensures that your packaging materials have been sourced in the most sustainable way possible. That’s why we use it for our own custom tissue paper!
Because cardboard is a sturdy and durable material, there are also a lot of opportunities for reuse. If you encourage your customers to save your packaging, you can reduce waste overall.
For more about Cannabis Packaging and labeling, please read the following PDF:
Sources
O’Connell, K. (May 21st, 2018). Hemp Packaging Offers Sustainable Alternatives To Paper & Plastic (VIDEO). Ministry of hemp. Retrieved November 4th, 2020. Retrieved from: https://ministryofhemp.com/blog/hemp-packaging/
Owens, B. (October 24th, 2020). What is the Best Solution for Plastic Free Packaging?. noissue. Retrieved November 4th, 2020 from: https://www.noissue.ca/blog/plastic-free-packaging
Barnes, C.Grossman, C. Livingston, A.Wellington, J. (n,d). Cannabis Packaging and Labeling Regulatory Recommendations for States and Nations. Council on Responsible Cannabis Regulations. Retrieved December 8th, 2020 from https://mass-cannabis-control.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/111717CannabisPackagingandLabelingRegulatoryRecommendationsforStates.pdf