How can the cannabis industry be more sustainable? It’s a popular topic of debate for many professionals within this sector, and for good reason.
When the impacts of global warming seem to be more and more evident, it’s hard to not feel nervous for the planet’s future.
We can’t build a time machine and change the years of environmental damage that humanity has caused, but we can make an impact now.
It has long been said that cannabis has a packaging problem, specifically an unhealthy relationship with plastic.
The strict packaging requirements that vary from state-to-state often call for multi-layers of unrecyclable, single-use plastic to ensure child resistance.
If you’ve ever spent fifteen minutes tearing through layer upon layer of plastic to get to your edibles, you know how wasteful packaging can be.
Single-use plastic is made to be used only once and then thrown away, which can quickly add to a lot of waste. The cannabis industry, and people in general, have become scared of plastic.
I’m sure you’ve heard it before – plastic is bad.
But Bill Ludlow, president and CEO of CRATIV Packaging, sees it differently.
When he spoke at the Emerge Virtual Cannabis Conference, he said being scared of plastic only distracts people from the real problem, which is humans.
He believes people have to do better when it comes to how we purchase products and recycle.
“Research shows that 80% of littering is intentional and performed by individuals, that’s you and me, that’s us, that’s the consumer,” said Ludlow. “We have to take control, we have to be a part of the solution. Should we ban plastics to protect ourselves from the idiots that we are? It’s not the answer.”
“We’ve all got to come together, we must focus on how to keep plastics in the materials loop. You have the power, you are the consumer, you can drive the market to sustainability if we do it together. Check your facts — be a hero, not a hater,” Ludlow said.
CRATIV Packaging creates some of North America’s most sustainable, child-resistant marijuana packaging.
The company is constantly, quite literally, thinking outside the box, and creating innovative, recyclable packaging for the cannabis industry.
Its new products further showcase its commitment to a greener future.
The company recently announced its new, USDA Certified BioPreferred packaging, which is designed and manufactured in North America using a blend of renewable, plant-based materials.
By utilizing renewable, bio-based materials, it eliminates the need for petroleum-based materials. The aesthetically-pleasing CRATIV PB (Plant-Based) packaging comes in black, white, and natural colors.
It enables pre-roll, edible, and flower producers to bring their product to market in a more sustainable and fashionable way.
The plant-based products are now available to order and meet national CFR and ISO child safety requirements, while maintaining USDA-BioPreferred certification and meeting FDA standards for food-grade products.
“‘CRATIV Earth’ is our mission, and we consider it our responsibility to be environmentally friendly with our actions and products. Our motto is ‘Our Planet, Our Home, Our Responsibility’. We take our responsibility seriously and are continuously sourcing innovative materials and processes which will reduce the burden of plastic generated by marijuana packaging,”said Ludlow. “Our interests are in partnering with our customers to drive and take action with environmentally-focused packaging rather than simply talk about what ‘could be’ for the industry.”
Along with their new plant-based products, Crativ announced their recent partnership with One Tree Planted to assist in the restoration and reforestation of natural areas impacted by fires across the U.S. and Canada.
This partnership will raise awareness for the importance of ecosystem restoration and be a win for the environment and cannabis consumers.
“We have worked hard to provide our customers with a viable alternative to single-use and disposable plastic products, innovation and sustainability are at the core of everything we do at Crativ Packaging,” said Ludlow.
