PakTech debuts child-resistant cannabis beverage cap boasting 100% recycled plastic

28 Jan 2021 --- US-based PakTech, a producer of recycled packaging handles and automated application equipment, is releasing a child-resistant cap for THC beverages. 

Branded PakLock, the cap is made from 100 percent recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE) and suitable for public recycling streams after use.

 Developed by PakTech’s engineering team, PakLock has been third-party certified to meet the child-resistant criteria set forth by 16 CFR Part 1700.20 – a legal testing procedure required for adult products such as cannabis-infused beverages. 

The lock is designed to be easy to apply on all standard aluminum can formats.

Legalized cannabis grows packaging opportunities
Increasing legalization and regulation of North American cannabis markets has opened up an array of opportunities for the packaging sector to innovate for new demands. 

Among them is the need for child protection, particularly for beverage products, which can be more easily consumed than smoking products. 

“As cannabis became more readily available in the recreational market, both in Canada and state by state in the US, we started to receive inquiries about whether we had any child-resistant or tamper-evident packaging,” says Lloyd McGriff, director of sales for PakTech. 

“That was when we realized we could leverage our experience from our PakTech can carriers and meet this new market need.”

Click to EnlargePackTech says it has saved over 80 million pounds of plastic waste since 2012.Jumping production hurdles 
Creating a solution for this demand was not without its difficulties, says the company, and required PakLock’s experts  to trial different designs and materials before being fit for market. 

“Developing the PakLock presented unique challenges,” remarks vice president and director of engineering Zak Borg. 

“Designs had to be modified significantly so they would perform uniformly in strict certification testing using a wide specification resin.” 

“But with diligent effort, the PakLock was successfully created and certified.”

The difficulties arising during the development process have led to insights and discoveries the company plans to use in other areas of its future packaging portfolio. 

“My favorite part of the development process were the many ‘aha’ moments as we studied how to make it work – several of which have given rise to new solutions to other design challenges as well,” says Borg.

Keeping cannabis sustainable
PakTech sources its recycled HDPE from a variety of waste sources and, since the company’s conception, has repurposed millions of pounds worth of plastic waste. 

The company estimates it has used over 606 million pounds worth of recycled plastic milk containers and saved over 80 million pounds worth of plastic from landfills and oceans. 

In turn, this has saved roughly 31,000 acres of land from waste. 

PakTech has also partnered with more than 500 businesses dedicated to recycling materials after use. 

The company is not alone in its efforts to create an environmentally sustainable packaging sector for the cannabis industry. 

Sana Packaging, another US-based cannabis packaging business, recently spoke to PackagingInsights about its efforts to save ocean plastic waste and set an example to the industry. 

Edited by Louis Gore-Langton

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