The Packaging Problem
If you have shopped at a legal cannabis store in BC, you have probably noticed the packaging. Childproof jars, plastic doob tubes, and excise-stamped labels add up fast — by some estimates, the Canadian cannabis industry has generated tens of thousands of tonnes of packaging waste since legalization. The good news: producers and regulators are starting to take notice.
What Producers Are Doing
Several BC-based licensed producers have made meaningful sustainability commitments. Look for brands that use post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, paper-based tubes, hemp-fibre packaging, or refillable jars. A few producers now offer take-back programs where you can return empty containers for recycling or reuse — ask a Clarity budtender which brands participate.
Greener Choices at the Counter
You can also reduce your footprint by choosing larger format products — a 28-gram bag uses far less packaging per gram than seven separate 3.5-gram jars. Pre-rolls in cardboard tubes are usually a better choice than plastic ones. And when it comes to vapes, all-in-one disposables generate more waste than refillable 510 setups.
Recycling at Clarity Cannabis
Every Clarity Cannabis store accepts empty cannabis packaging for recycling, including vape cartridges and batteries. Just bring your empties in on your next visit and drop them in our recycling bin near the entrance. We partner with TerraCycle and other Canadian recyclers to make sure the material is properly diverted from landfill.
Small Choices Add Up
Cannabis sustainability is a work in progress, but the trend is moving in the right direction. By supporting producers that prioritize lower-impact packaging, opting for larger format products when it suits you, and recycling empties at your local Clarity Cannabis, you are helping move the entire BC industry toward a cleaner future.