As more people are getting aware of global warming and climate change, you can trust that pre-roll consumers who are aware of the environmental crisis will increasingly prefer to patronize pre-roll brands with environmentally-friendly packaging. If you are a pre-roll producer, this article explores various sustainable and eco-friendly packaging options for your cannabis pre-rolls, including their pros and cons.

Paper and Cardboard Are Both Environmentally Friendly Packaging Options for Cannabis Pre-rolls

These materials are plant-based and biodegradable materials made from the pulp of trees. Therefore, using them as a packaging option for your cannabis pre-rolls ensures they will degrade quickly. This can help reduce their carbon footprint or emission of greenhouse gasses contributing to global warming. 

Paper and cardboard are also recyclable. After use, these materials can be easily recycled or repurposed into new packaging for your pre-rolls or packaging for other types of products across various industries. This makes them sustainable and can help reduce the volume of waste in landfills.

Finally, asides from being a suitable option for making sustainable and eco-friendly cannabis pre-roll packaging, paper and cardboard boxes are versatile. They can be printed on and manipulated into various shapes and sizes, allowing for a wide range of customization options to fit your branding and marketing needs.

Pros of Using Paper and Cardboard for Cannabis Pre-roll Packaging

• Made from renewable resources, unlike traditional plastics.
• Recyclable material
• Biodegradable and compostable material.
• Versatile and customizable material.
• May help reduce shipping costs due to its lightweight.

Cons of Using Paper and Cardboard for Cannabis Pre-roll Packaging

• May not provide as much protection as other materials, such as glass or metal.
• May not be as durable as other materials. 

Plant-based Plastic (Bioplastic) is the Most Eco-friendly Pre-roll Packaging

Unlike petroleum-derived plastics, plant-based plastics or bioplastics come from plant materials such as corn, seaweed, sugarcane, and bamboo fiber. While petroleum is a finite natural resource, plants are regenerative or can be regrown. This makes plant-based plastics a sustainable and eco-friendly option for making pre-roll packaging.  

Plant-based plastics are also biodegradable or can break down into organic matter. This means that any pre-roll packaging made from plant-based plastics is compostable. Once the packaging has served its purpose, it can serve as compost to enrich the soil rather than end up in a landfill.

Additionally, like paper and cardboard pre-roll packaging, plant-based plastic pre-roll packaging is customizable to meet your branding and marketing needs. For example, they can be custom printed and formed into various shapes and sizes to make them visually appealing and distinguishable from the packaging of other brands.

Pros of Using Plant-based Plastic for Cannabis Pre-roll Packaging

• Made from renewable resources.
• Recyclable material.
• Biodegradable and compostable material.
• Versatile and customizable material.
• May help reduce shipping costs due to its lightweight.

Cons of Using Plant-based Plastic for Cannabis Pre-roll Packaging

• May not provide as much protection as other materials, such as glass or metal.
• May not be as durable as other materials.

Glass Packaging for Pre-rolls is One of the Most Ecofriendly Options

Glass is a solid, transparent, recyclable, and reusable material made from a type of sand called Silica. The Silica is heated to a high temperature (around 1700°C or 3092°F) to form liquid glass, which is mixed with ingredients, such as soda ash to lower its melting point to make it easier to shape and limestone to remove impurities. 

Colorants such as iron oxide and chromium oxide may also be added to the liquid glass to achieve various colored designs. Once the liquid glass cools, it is durable. It can also be reused and recycled multiple times without losing its quality, making it a sustainable and eco-friendly option for use as pre-rolls packaging. 

Popular types of pre-roll packaging made from glass are jars, which can be reused or recycled into new products. Aside from their strength and durability, glass jars are a preferred packaging option for pre-rolls because of their aesthetic appeal, which can make them stand out on store shelves. 

Additionally, glass jars are often considered a high-end packaging option. Also, given their transparent nature, they allow consumers to view the product inside, thus potentially increasing the perceived quality of the product.

Pros of Using Glass for Cannabis Pre-roll Packaging

• Recyclable and reusable material.
• High-quality material which gives pre-rolls a premium appearance.
• Hygienic and non-porous material. Effective for maintaining pre-roll quality.
• Durable material that protects pre-rolls from damage during shipping and handling

Cons of Using Glass for Cannabis Pre-roll Packaging

• Heavier material compared to others, which may increase shipping costs.
• More fragile than other materials and can break if dropped or mishandled.
• May require more energy to produce and recycle.

Use Sustainable Metal Packaging for Cannabis Pre-rolls

Another material that makes a suitable option for sustainable and eco-friendly packaging for pre-rolls is metal. This is because they are recyclable and reusable. Metals are also durable. Various types of metals can be used to make pre-roll packaging, with popular ones including aluminum and steel tins.  

Aside from glass jars, pre-roll metal tins are another preferred packaging for pre-rolls by pre-roll producers. They are resistant to damage, such as crushing or puncturing and can keep pre-rolls safe and fresh. This can be especially important for products sensitive to moisture or light, such as pre-rolls.

Pros of Using Metal for Cannabis Pre-roll Packaging

• Recyclable and reusable material. 
• Durable and can provide a high level of protection for pre-rolls.

Cons of Using Metal for Cannabis Pre-roll Packaging

• May be more expensive to produce than other materials.
• May provide limited customizable design options.

Wood Packaging for Cannabis Pre-rolls is Also Environmentally Sustainable

Wood is a durable, renewable material that is replenishable over time, making it a suitable option for sustainable and eco-friendly pre-roll packaging. It is also a natural insulator. As such, when used to make pre-roll packaging, it can help maintain the right temperature and humidity to preserve the quality and potency of the pre-rolls.

Additionally, due to its organic nature, wood is biodegradable. This means that, unlike traditional plastic pre-roll packaging, which can take hundreds of years to decompose, wooden pre-roll packaging can break down and quickly be absorbed back into the environment. This can help to reduce waste, which helps protect ecosystems and biodiversity. 

Finally, aside from being functional, wood is often considered a distinctive and aesthetically pleasing material to many pre-roll consumers due to its natural, organic appearance. As such, some pre-roll producers choose wooden packaging for their pre-rolls, with some opting for luxury designs to target high-end pre-roll consumers. 

Pros of Using Wood for Cannabis Pre-roll Packaging

• Natural, replenishable material.
• Biodegradable and compostable material.
• Can be made from sustainably-grown wood, reducing the environmental impact.
• Can be customized with engravings or print, providing branding and marketing opportunities
• Can give pre-rolls a premium, unique and rustic appearance.

Cons of Using Wood for Cannabis Pre-roll Packaging

• May require more time and energy to produce.
• May be more expensive to produce.

Cannabis Pre-rolls Should Be Packaged in Eco-friendly

By considering any of the discussed sustainable and eco-friendly packaging choices for your pre-rolls, you can ensure your business contributes to a more sustainable future for the industry and the planet. It may be expensive or time-consuming to make the switch. However, the benefits it poses for your business make it worth it.