Cannabis waste compliance management is a major concern for businesses in the cannabis industry. From cultivation to retail, proper segregation of materials to meet local regulations is key.
Companies must consider cannabis waste storage requirements, as well as disposal methods for cannabis products and waste that are both compliant and cost-effective.
The Current State of the Cannabis Industry
The cannabis industry is growing rapidly and has seen an influx in investment and public interest over the past few years. Legalization across multiple states continues to expand, with current trends indicating that recreational marijuana use will continue to gain into 2023 and beyond.
This growth of cannabis businesses share has opened up opportunities for entrepreneurs to start business ventures in the cannabis space and engage in everything from cultivation to retail. Meanwhile, research into the health benefits of cannabinoids continues to pique public interest, which drives further investment into the evolving sector.
Cannabis waste can be any material that has come in contact with cannabis throughout the cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, or retail process.
Cannabis waste can include any material that is used in the production, cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, or retail of cannabis. This can include plant materials, water and soil runoff, package materials, lab waste, and more.
It’s important that businesses operating in the cannabis industry ensure all proper regulations are followed when disposing of cannabis waste to maintain compliance with local laws and regulations. Failing to stay in compliance can result in hefty fines or even criminal charges for those involved.
Is Cannabis Considered Hazardous Waste?
Yes and no–some parts and processes are considered hazardous waste due to their potential to contain hazardous substances that could have an adverse effect on the environment and human health if not disposed of properly.
It’s important for businesses that handle cannabis materials to use proper disposal methods to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations. In some cases, this may involve working with contractors or third-party professionals who are knowledgeable about correct disposal techniques. Hazmat, Inc. can help provide profiling, electronic manifest, hauling, and disposal. Contact us for a free cannabis disposal quote.
What Products and Processes Are Considered Cannabis Waste?
Cannabis waste can include any products or processes that have come in contact with cannabis throughout the cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, or retail process. This can include plant materials, growing media, chemicals, water and soil runoff, package materials, waste from testing labs, and equipment used in production processes.
Additionally, wastewater from cannabis products or processes may also be considered hazardous waste depending on its content. It’s important for businesses to ensure all proper regulations are followed when disposing of cannabis waste to maintain compliance with local laws and regulations.
Cultivation Waste
Hazardous
- Discarded process liquids (pesticides, fertilizers, pH adjusters, sanitizers, etc.).
- Spent lighting/indoor grow lamps/bulbs (HID, HPS, MH, fluorescent, etc.) with ballasts.
Non-Hazardous
- Cannabis plant material from routine pruning, trimming, harvest, cloning, propagation
- Flower, leaf, stalk, root ball, discarded plants
- Wastewater from irrigation, fertigation, and filtration with cannabis residuals(based on lab results–wastewater can be hazardous)
- Grow medium (soil, rock wool, coco fiber, etc.) with cannabis plant residuals (flower, leaf, stalk, root ball, etc.)
Manufacturing Waste
Hazardous
- Post-extraction cannabis biomass (flower, leaf, trim, shake, etc.) with solvent residuals.
- Post-refinement semi-aqueous byproduct (fat, wax, lipid, terpene, distillate, raffinate, etc.) with solvent residuals.
- Disposable items (gloves, PPE, filters, wipes, containers, utensils, etc.) with cannabis and/or solvent residuals.
- Used process liquids (organic solvents, chemical reactants, etc.) with trace cannabinoids.
- Defective returned, expired, or non-compliant disposable cannabis vape pens with internal lithium-ion batteries.
- Used machine fluids from equipment cleanout (vacuum pump oil, heat transfer fluid, etc.).
Non-Hazardous
- Post-extraction cannabis biomass (flower, leaf, trim, shake, etc.) with permissible levels of residual contaminants.
- Disposable items (gloves, PPE, filters, wipes, containers, utensils, etc.) with cannabis residuals.
- Discarded or wasted product and/or bulk-infused ingredients that have either failed visual quality control (QC) or were contaminated in the ‘kitchen’; scraps or cutouts from manufacturing or from equipment cleanout.
- Defective returned, expired, or non-compliant cannabis goods/product (flower, extract, concentrate, solid/liquid edible, tincture, topical, vaporizer, and other consumable items infused with cannabis).
Distribution Waste
Hazardous
- Defective returned, expired, or non-compliant disposable cannabis vape pens with internal lithium-ion batteries
Non-Hazardous
- Defective returned, expired, or non-compliant cannabis goods/products (flower, extract, concentrate, solid/liquid edible, tincture, topical, vaporizer, and other consumable items infused with cannabis).
Retail Waste
Hazardous
- Defective returned, expired, or non-compliant disposable cannabis vape pens with internal lithium-ion batteries
Non-Hazardous
- Defective returned, expired, or non-compliant cannabis goods/products (flower, extract, concentrate, solid/liquid edible, tincture, topical, vaporizer, and other consumable items infused with cannabis).
- Retired cannabis goods/product shelf displays.
What Are the Options For Cannabis Waste Disposal?
There are several options for cannabis waste disposal that a cannabis business should be aware of to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations. These can include incineration, landfill burial, composting, resource recovery, and secure destruction.
Depending on the type of cannabis waste being disposed of, it may require special handling and permits to transport across state lines or other jurisdictions. Additionally, some states may have specific requirements or restrictions regarding the method used to dispose of hazardous cannabis waste materials.
Hazmat, Inc. can help provide profiling, electronic manifest, hauling, and disposal of all your hazardous and non-hazardous cannabis waste. Contact us for a free cannabis disposal quote.
Cannabis Waste Regulations
Cannabis waste regulations vary from state to state, but all business owners must comply with local laws and regulations pertaining to the disposal of cannabis waste regardless if the disposal actually creates more waste.
Standard Practices
- Rely on Local, State, and Federal Waste Disposal Guidelines
- Specific Regulations on THC containing material
- Require Waste Management Plans
- Package and Labeling Requirements that Generate More Waste
- Regulations on Storage, Documentation, and Recordkeeping
Future Regulatory Issues to Consider
- Consider Differences Between THC-A and THC (activated) Material in Regard to Child-Resistant Packaging
- Encourage the Recycling of Any Waste Materials Without Requiring Them Rendered Unusable and Unrecognizable
- Allow For Consumer Package Waste Collection
- Provide Incentives for Using Reusable, and Recyclable Materials
- Ability to sell, and Transfer Fibrous Materials
- Encourage specific sources that can be recycled within your state
- Provide Guidance Minimum Recyclable Sizes
- Eliminate Exit Packaging Requirements
- Enable Consumer Package Take-back Schemes and Incentive Programs
Our Cannabis Waste and Hazardous Waste Management Solution is Designed to Keep Your Entire Process of Disposal In Compliant With Local, State, and Federal Regulations
Our cannabis waste compliance solution is designed to help your business stay in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. Our solution provides secure destruction of hazardous materials, incineration services, licensed landfill services, and composting options for organic solid waste.
We also offer resource recovery methods for recyclable packaging such as glass, plastic, and cardboard. Our experienced team can provide guidance on the most appropriate disposal method for different types of waste to ensure you are always in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Contact Hazmat, Inc. for a free cannabis waste solutions quote, or call us toll-free at (855) 242-9628.
