Demonstrating a commitment to sustainable practices is a growing need in business, but of particular importance for cannabis. As the most clear and direct way to showcase your company’s environmental responsibility, we explore sustainable packaging market trends and the massive opportunity of sustainable packaging for cannabis.
A green product with a plastic waste problem.
Cannabis is a booming industry with more and more states legalizing both medicinal and recreational use in recent years. With this rapid growth comes an added responsibility to ensure that the industry evolves sustainably with minimal environmental impact.
Because packaging must preserve product freshness and companies must comply with child safety and security requirements, the cannabis industry is particularly vulnerable to unsustainable packaging practices. The common business solution to these packaging demands is non-recyclable, single-use plastic packaging. Ironically and tragically, a “green” product—a flower and its derivatives—is most commonly sold in plastic containers.
Opting for sustainable child-resistant packaging for cannabis products is one of the most accessible and environmentally responsible choices that a company can make.
Strict packaging guidelines add to plastic pollution.
Packaging waste is a significant environmental issue, and plastic pollution is one of our planet’s most pressing problems. Because cannabis products require special child-resistant packaging (CRP) to be compliant with state regulations, the cannabis industry has the potential to generate large amounts of plastic waste.
Due to their non-biodegradable nature and their fossil fuel-heavy production processes, single-use plastics contribute to greenhouse gas emissions throughout their lifecycle and accumulate in landfills and natural environments, causing widespread pollution.
The world oceans are particularly affected by plastic pollution, with large quantities accumulating in marine ecosystems and destroying marine life. Plastics harm animals and wildlife through entanglement and ingestion, the contamination of soil and water with toxic chemicals, and ecosystem disruption. And for humans, the ingestion of microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals leaching from plastic waste is a significant public health risk.
Despite rising costs, the environmental message is clear.
Consumers across the planet are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of their products and actively seeking sustainable alternatives. Research shows eco-friendly shopping preferences among marijuana consumers continues to trend upward.
According to the 2023 “Buying Green Report” from Trivium Packaging, there is growing consumer support for sustainable packaging, even amid global inflation. Overall, 82% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging, up from 78% in 2022 and 74% in 2021, with GenZ consumers (18–24) leading this trend at 90% expressing willingness to pay more for it. Two-thirds of consumers identified as “environmentally conscious,” and 71% of consumers listed “sustainable packaging” as a decisive factor, especially younger individuals and high earners.
Perhaps most notably, action aligns with intent. For sustainable packaging specifically, 71% of consumers are actively choosing products based on the sustainability of the product packaging and 80% expressed interest in refillable packaging. Likewise 63% reported less likely to buy products with environmentally harmful packaging which is up six points from 2022. Unclear labeling remains a challenge however, with 46% citing it as a barrier, despite 59% actively seeking recycling and sustainability information on labels.
The positive impact of weeding out plastic waste in the cannabis industry.
Of course, lessening environmental impact is the most important benefit of sustainable child-resistant packaging for cannabis, but the positives for your cannabis brand are also significant. Though there are perceived business challenges, making the switch from a traditional plastic container to an eco-friendly packaging solution is not only easy—it’s profitable.
Sustainable packaging ultimately lessens a company’s carbon footprint and promotes a more circular economy. By utilizing materials that are recyclable, biodegradable, renewable, and/or reusable—sustainable packaging minimizes environmental impact and pollution. The switch to eco-friendly packaging materials reduces waste generation, decreases demand for new raw materials, and lessens the amount of toxic packaging waste in landfills.
These primary environmental benefits have a far-reaching impact on the health of ecosystems and the animals and marine life within them, climate change, and more.
A strong emotional connection is formed between a customer and a brand when their personal values align with those values that a brand represents. Especially when other factors are relatively equal, value alignment is a crucial consideration in consumer choice.
When your brand aligns with the sustainability concerns of your socially-conscious consumers, there is a higher likelihood of that customer choosing your products over the competition. This is not only good for getting that first sale, but for growing sales over time. Value alignment creates brand loyalty, increases customer retention, and turns buyers into advocates.
Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices improves a company’s brand image. While the public perception of brand’s environmental responsibility is a benefit in all business sectors, in the “green” cannabis industry which values natural and organic products, it is an even bigger gain.
In the crowded cannabis market, brands that carry a green ethos from their product to their packaging enjoy enhanced brand recognition. For companies looking to differentiate themselves, sustainable cannabis packaging is an easy win with massive appeal.
There are many affordable, environmentally-conscious alternatives to plastic containers for child-resistant cannabis packaging. Glass jars that can be easily recycled and containers made from post-consumer plastics meet legal requirements while minimizing environmental impact.
There are also increasingly more biodegradable CR options coming to market. With its paper-based seal and release mechanism, our high–performance ATID paper-based container is the first of its kind, redefining what sustainability means in cannabis packaging.
Sustainable packaging can be more cost-effective than traditional packaging. Even if some sustainable solutions are slightly more expensive, making the investment now is still worthwhile. Upfront costs in cutting-edge sustainable packaging solutions can be off-set by enhanced brand positioning, increased sales, and greater perceived value. Not only can a brand charge more for a premium product, as more companies like RXDco invest in the R&D of sustainable, innovative cannabis packaging solutions, costs for eco-friendly options will continue to fall. Companies may benefit from reduced waste disposal costs and environmental tax incentives.
Exploring alternatives to traditional child-resistant plastic containers.
There are many types of sustainable child-resistant packaging options available for the cannabis industry. Each one reduces waste and minimizes environmental impact, while maintaining regulatory compliance and product integrity.
Compostable materials like paper, hemp, and polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable plastic material made from renewable resources like corn starch or sugar cane, have minimal fossil fuel production costs and decompose faster which significantly reduces their long-term environmental footprint. Recyclable materials like glass and post-consumer plastics help conserve resources by minimizing the demand for virgin materials.
A few of our favorite eco-friendly solutions include:
With a premium feel for customers that is easily recycled and reused, glass jars are a popular choice to preserve freshness and potency of flower and concentrates. Glass is available in a myriad of shapes, sizes, and colors for every product in your line. The uniquely tapered inner bowl of our C-Series concentrate jar has been optimized for minimum waste, the ideal solution for storing wax, shatter, budder, and crumble to deliver better value for your customers.
Our innovative ATID paper-based containers make the ultimate sustainability statement for flower, edibles, and more. These premium biodegradable containers feature our patented child-resistant, flex-stretch pull top in a sleek and professional design.
With a durable, paper construction, the PearlLoc system of tubes, slides, and boxes provides strong shelf-ready housing with a mindful, modern aesthetic. An elegant solution with the ideal blend of safety, compliance, and eco-consciousness for pre-rolls and more.
We are redefining what is possible for sustainable CR cannabis packaging.
Cutting-edge sustainable packaging solutions like ATID paper-based containers align with growing consumer preferences for unique, eco-friendly innovative solutions to traditional plastic containers. We designed ATID’s patented flex-stretch pull top to preserve product quality and child safety without sacrificing environmental accountability. Our high-performance, paper-based seal and release mechanism is the first of its kind, redefining what sustainability means in cannabis packaging.
In addition to the sustainable packaging options available now, water-soluble packaging, plant-based inks, and mushroom-based materials are setting new benchmarks. Emerging technologies set to further revolutionize the industry include biodegradable coatings that can be applied to traditional packaging materials to make them biodegradable, and RFID technology which can be used to track the lifecycle of packaging and ensure that it is recycled or composted properly.
Sustainable cannabis packaging is more than a responsible choice—it’s a strategic move for brands looking to thrive in an eco-conscious market.
As the cannabis market continues to expand and evolve, sustainable packaging will play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future of the industry and brand success. Brands that prioritize sustainable practices today will enjoy both immediate and enduring benefits.
As a visionary leader developing sustainable innovations that are redefining what is possible for cannabis, we invite you to join us. Become an industry leader with premium sustainable packaging solutions from RXDco.
Contact us to learn more.
Need help designing sustainable packaging?
Check out our branding design services.
Sign-up to drop in.
Like what you are reading here?
Subscribe to get the latest dose delivered.
Get It >>