Dymapak joins Plastic Bank to combat cannabis pack pollution amid US regulatory barriers

27 Jul 2021 --- Child-resistant cannabis packaging specialist Dymapak is launching a plastic consumption and ocean pollution reduction initiative in partnership with social enterprise Plastic Bank.

The partnership will promote Plastic Banks’ collection and reward system for plastic packaging waste and help Dymapak promote issues surrounding reuse and recycling in cannabis packaging. 

Speaking to PackagingInsights, Dymapak’s CEO and founder Ross Kirsh says the partnership hopes to demonstrate how industry can use plastic materials more responsibly.

“In working with Plastic Bank, we wanted to recognize and respond to environmental waste creation made from plastic packaging, and specifically showcase that plastics can and are being used responsibly through a sustainable, scalable ecosystem,” he remarks. 

“Our partnership was set up in a way that also facilitates partner access and ease of adoption, at scale, which is incredibly important to offset plastic impact.”

Turning talk to action 
Kirsh asserts that while the majority of packaging industry players talk broadly of tackling their plastic and carbon footprints, few actually have the means to make a meaningful impact. 

“One of the main challenges is turning talk into action,” he comments. “Many people care publicly but lack the resources or infrastructure to execute. We also want to entice enough partners to join forces so our goal of overcoming ocean waste can become a reality.” Dymapak’s CEO and founder Ross Kirsh.

“We hope by showcasing both ease of implementation and cost-effectiveness, our partners will follow.”

Plastic Bank works as a for-profit enterprise, setting up recycling systems in countries that lack sufficient disposal infrastructure and have high rates of pollution and poverty. 

Collection locations are established and employ citizens of those regions to manage the systems. Residents can then collect plastic from their environment and bring it to their local Plastic Bank branch in exchange for money, fresh food, clean water, cellular service, cooking oil, or school tuition for children. 

Collectors are paid a Social Plastic premium in addition to the market plastic value, ensuring an income.

Regulatory hurdles for cannabis packaging 
Cannabis packaging, which requires child-proof mechanisms, is a central source of Dymapak’s business. As part of an expanding market in North America, where legalization of cannabis products is rapidly advancing, ensuring sustainable practices is a key concern for this industry. 

Kirsh explains that regulatory hurdles are the main obstacles in implementing environmentally friendly practices in cannabis packaging. Cannabis packaging in the US faces regulatory hurdles hindering environmental sustainability, says Kirsh.

“Regulation itself is the main cause of sustainability issues,” he explains. “In order to get the highest quality product and reduce contaminants – which is hugely important – many countries or states are not allowed to reuse any container.” 

“This means every product sold requires its own child-resistant container – sometimes one-time use, sometimes reclosable depending on individual state regulations.”

“This has the unintended consequence of [producing] more packaging. Then, when regulation mandates greater packaging volume, it puts pressure on price; low-cost solutions win out, which are unfortunately in most instances not recyclable.”

Consequences of inaction 
Kirsh warns that if more industry action is not taken, the environmental impact of sectors like cannabis packaging could be huge. 

“Our goal is to stop ocean-bound plastic, not simply removal within our oceans once it is already there,” he stresses. “The ocean plays a critical role in carbon capture, and we cannot afford for a domino effect where problems become worse on every level.” 

“We are trying to stop countless species and ecosystems within the ocean from being negatively impacted and potentially destroyed.”

Last year, in this space, cannabis packaging manufacturer Sana Packaging released the third edition of its pre-roll tubes, made entirely from reclaimed ocean plastic. 

By Louis Gore-Langton