Product descriptions play an important role in the purchase process.In many cases, they are the only content that a customer  reads in order to differentiate one product from another online.

Selling cannabis products doesn’t have to contribute to our global consumption crisis.

With so many innovative companies working on sustainable solutions, it’s easier than ever to create a brand that values low or no waste cannabis packaging.

Conscientious consumers care about waste, so zero pollution packaging is the way of the future, whether it’s intended to be reused, recycled, or composted. In the increasingly-competitive cannabis packaging strategy, it’s key that your brand stands out from the crowd, from interesting product descriptions to one of a kind, eye-catching packaging.

ECO-FRIENDLY SOLUTIONS

Let’s explore some of the great eco-friendly cannabis packaging options, already available in the market today. Each of these cannabis packaging options can be customized, and printed to suit your brand’s art direction.

01.
BIODEGRADABLE MYLAR BAGS

Common across the cannabis industry, these compostable bags can be customized in size, shape and color. They’re child resistant by design, though strong enough to withstand wear and tear. Plus, these flexible bags are also water-resistant, smell-proof, and food-grade safe.

Most are made from an oxo-biodegradable material which, in the proper outdoor environment, can be fully degraded within 2 years!

02.
POP TOPS

These widely-used child-resistant containers are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and are made to easily open with their signature ‘pop’ sound. One of the first sustainable products available to the cannabis industry, these canisters are usually only used once – which is why their ability to degrade is so important.

Pop tops are made from PHA [polyhydroxyalkanoate], a biodegradable polymer that leaves behind no micro-plastic particulates or harmful chemicals. When discarded into the environment or a compost bin, carbon-eating microorganisms will consume it quickly.

03.
SUSTAINABLE LABELS

There are a wide variety of environmentally conscious paper options that will give your brand a unique, holistic look:

• Kraft paper
• Hemp paper
• Black paper
• White paper

Hemp paper is made by mixing with recycled paper mulch, while Kraft paper is made with sulfate wood pulp.

Custom adhesive labels and other marketing materials made out of these papers will biodegrade much faster than BOPP or polyester, and are often available in various finishes and sheens (Pro Tip – Sheen and special finishes may not always be environmentally friendly).

04.
CARDBOARD BOXES AND CONTAINERS

The old standard for environmental friendliness, cardboard can be almost endlessly reused and recycled.

Boxes can be made custom for size and shape, and some companies even have Child Resistant varieties available!

These can be more sophisticated than a simple box; many companies offer elegant packaging solutions that can be composted or burned.

05.
METAL PACKAGING

Containers made from tin come in a variety of colors, and often feature a see-through window to display your products. Cannabis products presented in metal canisters can be positioned as higher-quality than those in plastic packaging, which can give your product an edge over your competition and overall brand perception.

Metal-based packaging materials are incredibly durable, as well as food-safe when coated with a protective lacquer! Their enhanced barrier properties help protect against light, moisture, oxygen and other gases.

Plus, metal is endlessly recyclable! Attractively-designed products can either be reused by the consumer for household storage or recycled to be made into another item, keeping waste out of the landfill.

06.
HEMP BIOPLASTICS

For the ultimate clean, sustainable alternative to plastics, look no further than the cannabis plant itself!

Bioplastics made from the hemp plant are actually stronger than plastic, can be recycled indefinitely, and degrade completely between 3 and 6 months. The fibers of the plant have been made into various forms including bioplastic polymers like cellulose and wood alternatives!

Plus, some hemp filament products are highly compatible with 3D printers that use polylactic acid (PLA), commonly used and made from renewable plant starches.

This is a small but rapidly-expanding segment of the packaging industry! Though historically most raw hemp materials had to be imported from Europe, more and more hemp processing facilities are opening up across the US.

As further research goes into hemp-based plastics, additional options will become available to help provide sustainable packaging solutions for businesses across the globe. The possibilities are nearly endless!