Sustainable Packaging Spotlight: Ocean Plastic
When you think of the ocean, what comes to mind? From vibrant coral reefs to the perfect surf or your favorite marine life, the ocean means something unique and beautiful to everyone.
It’s doubtful that plastic pollution is the first thing to cross your mind when you think of the deep blue sea. But this is a troubling reality that plagues the world’s oceans, brought on entirely by humans. Over seventeen billion pounds of plastic trash end up in the ocean every single year. This senseless pollution harms marine life and destroys delicate underwater ecosystems. Based on current rates, plastic will likely outweigh all of the fish in the sea by 2050.
Problem of Plastic Pollution
Most of us have seen the jarring photo of a seahorse holding a cotton swab floating in the ocean, unaware that their home is being increasingly polluted every hour. In fact, one in three species of marine mammals have been found tangled in plastic, and over 90% of seabirds have ingested plastic pieces into their bodies.
While upsetting imagery like this is important to share and highlight the dangers of pollution, these are only minuscule representations of this massive issue of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans.
Challenges in the Cannabis Industry
The cannabis industry in particular has often been faced with scrutiny for its overuse of plastic packaging. Despite being part of an industry that exhibits widespread dedication to respecting nature and driving positive sociocultural change, many cannabis brands still use an excessive amount of plastic.
From preroll tubes to flower canisters and layers of seemingly unnecessary extra layers of plastic - often due to child-resistant packaging regulations - cannabis brands have faced challenges in reducing their single-use plastics.
But there’s hope for a better future. Now, recycled and reclaimed ocean plastics are being used to create new and sustainable products that serve as an environmentally friendly alternative to common single-use plastics.
Use of Recycled Ocean Plastic
Recycled ocean plastics include material that may have already entered the ocean, or may be along beaches, coastlines, and other waterways. It also includes mismanaged plastic waste, or waste that is at risk of entering the ocean.
One of the most efficient – and, obviously, cool – ways to recycle ocean plastic is by using it to create sustainable packaging. Choosing ocean plastic simultaneously reduces the demand for virgin plastics and slows the flow of plastics into the ocean.
What We’re Doing
In collaboration with our valued partners at Sana Packaging, Tree Hugger Containers is proud to offer 100% reclaimed ocean plastic lids that pair perfectly with our recycled glass jars. These child-resistant 53-400 screw-top lids are perfect for jars of flower, salves, creams and edibles.
All Tree Hugger Container products are 100% recyclable and made with recycled materials. Our recycled jars are ideal to hold an eighth (2oz) or a quarter (4oz) of your product. Topped with a reclaimed ocean plastic lid produced by Sana Packaging, this attractive and fully customizable solution helps you showcase your brand while helping to save the planet.
Want to take the first step to make your cannabis brand part of the change? Ocean plastic lids are a truly sustainable product that help you contribute to a more eco-friendly and conscious cannabis industry for years to come.
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To learn more, check us out at treehuggercontainers.com and follow us on Instagram at @treehuggercontainers.
What is your cannabis brand doing to be more eco-friendly? Let us know in the comments!
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