What Is Sustainable Cannabis Waste Management?
Cannabis facilities generate different forms of cannabis waste during their operations. There’s manufacturing waste, packaging waste like plastic containers and cardboard, and hazardous waste. Plant waste, such as stalks, flowers, trim, leaves, stems, extracts, and spent solvents, is also included.
Below, you’ll discover sustainable waste disposal practices that your business can implement and why being sustainable is important.
The Importance of Sustainability
A waste management plan is necessary for all licensed cultivation, manufacturing, dispensary, and testing facilities to ensure marijuana and marijuana byproduct is correctly disposed of per state law. Each plan should incorporate sustainable practices.
Handling waste properly keeps it out of landfills and from producing greenhouse gases. By embracing sustainability, your business conserves resources, reduces its carbon footprint, and shows it’s aligned with local green initiatives.
Waste Reduction and Prevention
Along the cannabis cultivation and production process, set in place strategies that reduce the amount of waste generated. Optimize cultivation practices to reduce plant material waste and implement efficient extraction methods to maximize product yield. When it comes to packaging, find ways to minimize the use of excess materials.
Recycling and Composting
Recycling and composting effectively give waste a new purpose.
Use recyclable packaging materials like glass, plastic, and cardboard. When they’re ready to be recycled, be sure to separate them before sending them off.
Plant trimmings, root balls, and other organic waste can be composted. This option creates nutrient-rich soil, closing the nutrient loop in cultivation.
Compost Cannabis Waste With Monarch
Monarch Waste Co., Missouri’s first cannabis waste service, is proud to be sustainable. With every new partnership between Monarch and other cannabis brands, the industry grows closer to a more sustainable future for businesses and the planet. To date, we’ve diverted over 215,000 pounds of waste from Missouri landfills.
Our step-by-step process handles cannabis waste responsibilities so facilities can focus on other vital business operations. We will:
conduct a thorough assessment to evaluate your facility's waste stream needs.
create a customized waste management plan tailored specifically to your facility.
deliver empty 55-gallon drums to your facility for the collection of your waste.
return to your facility and render your waste unusable before departing.
log the rendered waste in the waste manifest and compost it.
Whether you need services weekly, bi-monthly, or as needed, our team is here to assist you. Get in touch with a member of our team to schedule your pick-up today!