Do your cannabis waste disposal services do this?
- Provide you with UN-rated containers to separate your waste
- Dispose of ALL your waste
- Assist with managing recalled cannabis waste
- Reassess your waste management
If not, it may be time to find a new disposal partner. Here’s what you need to know about each of these services and why they’re crucial for effective cannabis waste management.
Provide You With UN-rated Containers
Cannabis waste generators have to separate and secure their waste. Often, this means creating multiple waste streams, each
with its own set of regulations and requirements that must be followed.
Especially for your plant waste, it’s important to use designated waste containers that are clearly labeled and kept in a secure location. The best cannabis waste disposal companies will provide you with UN-rated containers to ensure the secure handling of your waste.
Why are UN-rated containers important? UN-rated containers are air-tight and offer maximum odor protection. Cannabis materials can emit strong odors, which may lead to complaints and subsequent violations.
Your containers should also include biodegradable lining to ensure proper hygiene and meet state regulations to prevent dolor and spillage.
Suppose your current cannabis waste disposal services instead try to provide you with substandard containers. In that case, that is a red flag that your current company may not prioritize compliance with safety standards.
Dispose Of ALL Your Waste
With several different waste streams, finding a waste transporter for each type you generate can be frustrating and tedious.
For example, here are just a few of the various cannabis waste materials that you may generate in your cannabis business:
- Plant waste (leaves, stems and roots)
- Manufacturing waste
- Soil waste contaminated with pesticides or other chemicals
- Packaging waste (plastic containers and cardboard waste)
- Extraction byproducts (solvents and other plant material)
- Lab waste (including containers and tools used in quality control)
- Expired or unused chemicals
- Wastewater, which may require specialized transportation to waste water treatment companies
- Electronic waste
Some of these waste streams are considered hazardous waste, while others are non-hazardous. Some can be disposed of at the same treatment, storage and disposal facility (TSDF), while others may need to be transported to specific facilities that can accept them.
Working with disposal services that can take care of ALL of your waste, even if it means transporting to multiple locations, can free up your time and streamline the cannabis waste disposal process.
Assist With Managing Recalled Cannabis Waste
Cannabis products can fail routine inspections. It’s a part of doing business, and in California, strict regulations can cause
as many as one in five batches to fail, according to the Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC).
If your business manufactures cannabis products, you may undergo routine monitoring that includes:
- Testing for residual solvents, pesticides and other foreign materials
- Checking all packaging and labeling before transporting to a retailer
- Utilizing child-resistant packaging on all cannabis products
- Limiting edible packages to 100 milligrams of THC per package and 10 milligrams of THC per serving
If your products fail inspection, you will likely need the help of cannabis disposal services to manage their disposal. These specialized services handle California cannabis waste properly by minimizing any potential environmental and public health risks.
If you must destroy recalled cannabis products or products that do not pass lab inspection, state law states that you must quarantine the product for at least 72 hours. In addition, you must attach any relevant documents to the recalled products and must fulfill any track and trace reporting requirements.
The California Cannabis Track and Trace (CCTT) system tracks the movement of cannabis and cannabis products throughout the supply chain, known as “seed to sale” tracking by the Department of Cannabis Control.
Having a cannabis waste disposal company ready to help you when something unexpected happens can be invaluable. Your partner can efficiently handle the disposal of recalled or failed cannabis products, ensuring compliance with state laws, track and trace reporting requirements, and minimizing potential environmental and public health risks associated with the disposal process.
Reassess Your Waste Management
Sustainability and efficiency in waste management isn’t a one-time effort. It’s an ongoing commitment that demands continual assessment and improvement.
For cannabis companies, maintaining a comprehensive approach requires consistent evaluation of waste management practices to adapt to evolving regulations, technological advancements and industry standards.
The top cannabis waste disposal services will do the following:
Perform periodic audits of your waste management processes to identify inefficiencies, areas for improvement and compliance gaps. These audits should encompass all stages of the cannabis production chain, from cultivation and extraction to packaging and distribution. By conducting regular reviews, companies can pinpoint specific areas needing attention and implement targeted solutions.
Regularly monitor compliance regulations and help your business adapt to any changes. As regulations surrounding the disposal of cannabis waste frequently evolve in California and the United States, staying compliant is critical. Companies must stay on top of local, state and federal regulations governing waste disposal. However, as a busy business owner, you understand the challenges that come with this. Your disposal services should alert you to any changes that could potentially impact your business and serve as a valuable ally in navigating this complex landscape.
Integrate new technology as it evolves. The best cannabis waste companies will actively explore and integrate innovative technologies that enhance waste disposal practices. These technologies may include advancements in composting, waste-to-energy conversion or eco-friendly packaging solutions. Embracing technology can lead to more efficient and sustainable waste management strategies.
Help implement effective training programs. Employee involvement is pivotal in successful waste management practices. Regular training sessions can keep staff informed about proper waste disposal procedures, emphasizing the importance of segregating different types of waste and adhering to company policies. Encouraging suggestions for improvement from your employees can also offer valuable insights.
To ensure a comprehensive waste management strategy that is re-evaluated on a consistent basis, it’s important to partner with a reputable cannabis waste disposal company. A reliable disposal partner should not only handle the immediate disposal of your waste but also actively participate in the ongoing assessment of your waste management practices.
