As a business owner, you know how one decision can have a ripple effect and impact other aspects of your operation. It’s important to think of cannabis waste management in the same way.
With regulations in place that oversee the management of cannabis waste, it’s critical that your business prioritize responsible waste disposal. Yet the benefits of effective cannabis waste solutions go beyond just compliance.
From reduced disposal costs to improved public perception, how you manage your cannabis waste can have far-reaching effects on other areas of your business, including your bottom line. Here are some of the benefits your business can take advantage of by implementing effective cannabis waste solutions.
Reduced Disposal Costs
Businesses can reduce their disposal costs by incorporating strategies like recycling, composting and repurposing waste
material. When a company generates less waste that needs transported to disposal sites, that means fewer disposal fees.
While some cannabis waste is considered hazardous, it’s important to keep in mind that there are many types of waste that your facility may generate. Within cannabis waste alone, there’s:
- Plant waste
- Manufacturing waste
- Packaging waste
- Contaminated soil
- Laboratory waste
- Electronic waste
It’s important to work with an experienced cannabis waste disposal company that can evaluate the types of waste that your business generates so that it can look for ways to reduce your disposal costs over time.
Cannabis Waste Management: Increased Efficiency And Productivity
By streamlining waste management processes, companies that generate cannabis waste can optimize their operations and improve workflow.
For example, an effective waste management plan will identify all of your waste streams and set up a system for the proper handling and disposal of each of those streams. However, the best plans will go beyond that. Waste management should also include training employees on waste management procedures and regular assessments that identify areas for improvement.
Waste management should always take a proactive approach and should focus not only on meeting regulations, but also reducing the strain on your business. For example, hiring a reputable cannabis waste disposal company can reduce the time your employees need to dedicate to proper waste handling and disposal … and allow them to focus on other areas of the business.
In turn, this one change in your waste management processes can lead to overall increased productivity and improved performance in other areas of your operations.
Effective waste solutions can also streamline operations by reducing the need for storage space. By properly managing waste, companies can minimize and reduce the need for storage facilities or additional transportation resources.
Even if you regularly generate a significant amount of cannabis waste, setting up a waste management plan that includes regular pickups can reduce the need for storage facilities and can free up valuable space in your warehouse.
Enhanced Compliance
As a business that generates cannabis waste, you’re likely aware of the cannabis laws and disposal regulations you must follow. In California, the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) licenses and regulates all commercial cannabis activity, from the manufacturing of cannabis products to the transportation and tracking of cannabis goods throughout the state.
Areas of compliance you must continually focus on meeting include:
- License applications
- Identification of waste streams
- Proper disposal
- Mitigation of potential sources of waste odor
- Storage of cannabis goods
- Securing of waste on licensed premises
- Proper training of employees
Cannabis businesses must maintain detailed records of their waste management activities, including the areas we outlined above. Failure to maintain these proper records may result in costly penalties and fines that can hurt your bottom line, so it’s important for your cannabis business to establish a record-keeping system that is organized and easy to access.
A cannabis waste disposal company experienced in implementing waste solutions can provide assistance with these record-keeping requirements, enhancing your compliance and providing you with more time to focus on running and daily ins and outs of a business.
Improved Reputation
More and more consumers are becoming environmentally-conscious and are actively seeking out businesses that share their values. By implementing environmentally-friendly waste management practices, you can demonstrate your commitment to sustainability, which can enhance your reputation and appeal to customers who prioritize sustainability.
Proper waste handling and disposal can also reduce odors, pests and potential health hazards, improving customer satisfaction.
Depending on the nature of your business, you may be able to increase customer satisfaction by transferring some of the cost savings you achieved through reduced disposal costs and streamlined operations to them.
While implementing effective cannabis waste solutions at your business can create a cleaner and safer environment, they can trickle down and positively impact other aspects of your operation, from customer satisfaction to your bottom line.
