Attention cannabis business owners!
If your business generates cannabis waste, understanding the intricacies of the cannabis waste disposal process becomes an essential part of your operations.
Navigating the legal requirements surrounding the disposal of cannabis waste not only safeguards the environment, but shields your business from potential legal repercussions as well.
With state and federal regulations continually evolving, it’s important to have a clear grasp on what’s required of your business during the disposal process … especially if you’re new to the cannabis industry and are considering expanding your company to involve the cultivation, processing or distribution of cannabis products.
Every cannabis nursery, distributor, dispensary, manufacturer and cultivator produces different amounts of cannabis waste. However, ALL operators in the cannabis industry must properly dispose of waste. This begins with working with reputable cannabis disposal services to ensure the waste management process is compliant and streamlined.
Let’s take a closer look into what your cannabis waste disposal process may look like.
A Custom Cannabis Waste Disposal Plan Is Created
The disposal process begins before any waste is ever collected. Cannabis waste disposal companies should
always begin with creating a customized cannabis waste disposal plan. If the disposal company you are considering working with doesn’t offer to customize a waste management plan based on your needs as a business, this a big red flag that you should look elsewhere.
After all, within the cannabis industry are several players, from product manufacturers to dispensary retailers. And within each sector are individual businesses that all have their own needs, challenges and goals.
Your plan should:
- Identify the type of cannabis waste generated by your business, including packaging and other byproducts
- Provide a comprehensive overview of regulations that impact your business
- Detail a plan for segregating and storing different types of cannabis waste on-site until removal
- Describe which methods should be used for disposal, including incineration, composting or other techniques
- Outline any pertinent protocols for transporting the cannabis waste to the disposal facility
- Establish a system for maintaining accurate records of disposal activities
- Specify any training requirements for employees involved in cannabis waste management
- Develop an emergency response plan to address potential accidents or spills, as well as containment measures and reporting procedures
- Consider any environmental impact your disposal methods will have and discuss strategies for minimizing the ecological footprint
As you consult with a cannabis waste disposal company, you should also develop your ideal waste pickup schedule, whether that is weekly, monthly, quarterly or on a customized basis.
Storage Containers Are Provided
As we noted above, a cannabis waste disposal plan should include a strategy for segregating and storing your types of cannabis waste on-site until a disposal company transports the waste to the appropriate disposal facility.
It’s important to work with a disposal company that provides you with UN-rated containers for on-site storage. As a cannabis waste generator, you must follow local, state and federal regulations that govern the manufacturing and selling of cannabis products. The regulations include rules for minimizing odor and the potential for spillage.
UN-rated containers are air-tight for maximum odor protection and include biodegradable lining to ensure proper hygiene. They come in a variety of sizes to accommodate the amount of waste you generate.
Your Waste Is Picked Up
A disposal company will collect and transport your cannabis waste from your facility to the disposal site that accepts your waste. If you have multiple waste streams (hazardous waste, marijuana waste, packaging, food waste, plant waste, etc.), your waste management company may need to transport your waste to multiple sites since certain disposal facilities only accept particular types of waste.
At pick-up, it’s important that your disposal company provide a manifest to ensure you are able to enter the required details for track-and-trace reporting.
Track-and-trace reporting is required in California. Through the California Cannabis Track and Trace (CCTT) system, the movement of cannabis and cannabis products is traced throughout the supply chain. The Department of Cannabis Control describes this process as “seed to sale” tracking.
As part of this requirement, you must develop a cannabis waste management plan that explains how you will handle cannabis waste that is generated on your property. Any cannabis waste that is deemed hazardous must be disposed of off-site by licensed cannabis waste disposal companies. (Anything that comes in contact with THC is considered hazardous waste.)
Your Waste Is Transported To A Disposal Site
The disposal company you partner with should have the proper vehicles and equipment to safely transport your
cannabis waste. A disposal company should also be licensed to transport cannabis waste.
Once your waste arrives at a disposal site, it will go through the appropriate disposal methods that are strongly regulated at the state and federal levels.
There are a variety of disposal options available for cannabis waste materials, from composting to incineration and disposal at a landfill. An experienced waste management company will be able to recommend the most appropriate method for disposal of the cannabis waste based on requirements and what aligns with your company’s sustainability goals.
A disposal company should also provide the certified weight upon drop off at licensed composting facilities and recycling centers. These measures will ensure you are able to track your waste all the way through its lifecycle. All client documents should also be uploaded electronically to a customer portal throughout the process, and you should be provided with proof that your cannabis waste was properly disposed of or destroyed.
Why The Cannabis Waste Disposal Process Is Important
Once you generate waste, it may feel as if that’s the end of the road for those particular products. However, the lifecycle of waste truly isn’t over until it is properly and safely disposed of at a site that accepts your waste.
As a waste generator, it is your responsibility to ensure your waste safely arrives at these sites, making the waste disposal process an important component of your overall waste management plan and business plan.
That’s why the cannabis waste management company you choose is so important to achieving success in this area of your operations. And as the cannabis industry continues to grow, it’s essential to have the right partner by your side that will:
- Evaluate your waste types and look for ways to reduce your disposal costs over time
- Ensure your waste management system complies with all local, state and federal regulations
- Provide assistance with improving efficiency by working with employees on-site to improve waste management procedures and by regularly assessing for areas that can be improved
- Assist you with meeting stringent record-keeping requirements
The best cannabis waste disposal companies will also help you maintain your good reputation or improve your reputation as a company that is dedicated to sustainability and as a steward of the community and environment.
