Project Overview

Following media coverage on CBC, CTV, and Global News, Value Buds partnered with [Re] Waste to create an innovative recycling program aimed at keeping cannabis packaging out of landfills. At the time, Corey Saban was still developing the concept in his garage, but he eagerly took on the challenge of using plastic packaging as feedstock to create recycled products.

Together, we launched a recycling program with the goal of developing two products:

1. Recycled Plastic Rolling Trays
   
2. Recycled Plastic Doob Tubes

This case study focuses on the Rolling Trays, made from collected cannabis containers that were transformed into durable, branded trays for retail sale in Value Buds stores.

The Challenge

Cannabis packaging often ends up in landfills due to several challenges:

1. Small Size – Packaging falls through traditional MFR shaker screens, becoming waste.
2. Adhesive Labels – Labels use adhesives that cannot be removed through standard cleaning.
3. Mixed Materials – Packaging includes a mix of plastics (types 1-7), glass, paper, batteries, compostable materials, and mylar bags.
4. Combined Packaging – Different materials are combined (e.g., plastic lids with glass containers, metal tins with plastic inserts).
5. Lack of Commodity Markets – Unlike paper or select plastics, no company purchases mixed cannabis packaging due to processing difficulties and inconsistent feedstock.

These challenges made it essential to develop a custom recycling solution that could divert packaging from landfills and repurpose it into valuable products.

Our Solution

✔ EcoBin Collection Program:

• [Re] Waste placed EcoBins inside Value Buds retail stores to collect cannabis packaging from customers and employees.
• Bulk collections were also coordinated with Licensed Producers (LPs) to capture larger quantities of packaging waste.

✔ Landfill Diversion & Processing:

• Packaging collected through the program was processed using our landfill diversion systems, allowing us to capture the packaging and repurpose the material in various projects.

✔ Circular Economy Impact:

• A portion of the collected plastic containers were used as feedstock to manufacture rolling trays, demonstrating a closed-loop recycling process that aligned with Value Buds' ESG goals.

Implementation & Process

1. Material Collection: Packaging was collected from EcoBins and LP bulk collections and transported to our processing facility.
2. Material Processing: Packaging was sorted, cleaned, and prepared as feedstock for injection molding.
3. Product Development: Months of R&D led to the creation of a specialized mold designed to produce rolling trays with Value Buds' logo stamped into each tray.
4. Product Manufacturing: Approximately 1,000 lbs of cannabis packaging was processed into rolling trays that were then sold in Value Buds stores.

Environmental Impact

✔ Year 1 (2021): 5,300 lbs (92,342 containers) diverted from landfill
✔ Year 2 (2022): 4,350 lbs (75,881 containers) diverted from landfill
✔ Year 3 (2023): 9,975 lbs (174,000 containers) diverted from landfill
✔ Year 4 (2024): 28,340 lbs (497,200 containers) diverted from landfill

This cumulative impact demonstrates how Value Buds’ recycling program has grown significantly over time, preventing over 48,000 lbs of cannabis packaging from reaching landfills.

The Results

• Created a product that aligns with Value Buds’ ESG goals while promoting the circular economy.
• Showcased how even landfill-bound packaging can be transformed into functional, branded products.
• Demonstrated that cannabis retailers can lead sustainability initiatives, positively impacting both the environment and the industry.

Partner Testimonial

“I think that we have a responsibility, as industry leaders, to be conscious of the industry’s environmental impact and to dedicate ourselves to moving the dial forward when it comes to cannabis recycling program capabilities. The cannabis industry has seen a lot of challenge and change, but our evolving partnership with [Re] Waste and its significant environmental impact feels like a win. If we can encourage consumers to recycle through a convenient program, and encourage other retailers to divert their plastic, we’ve accomplished our goals.”
— Grant Sanderson, Vice President, Operations, Nova Cannabis

Ready to turn your packaging waste into valuable products?

Contact [Re] Waste to launch your own circular economy recycling program today!

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