How one company is trying to change the Cannabis Industry’s Role in Furthering Plastic Waste

Plastic Packaging is one of the largest waste issues within the cannabis industry, and it’s projected to get worse. 

Due to industry requirements, manufacturers need to use thicker plastics to childproof packaging. Marijuana sales in the US “are on pace to eclipse $12 billion by the end of 2019…and could rise as high as $30 billion by 2023” based on research by the Marijuana Business Daily. One industry executive estimated that 10,000 tons of packing waste was created during the first year of cannabis legalization in Canada. 

A new company has launched to reduce plastic. 

PK Packaging is a sustainable packaging company, aiming for greener solutions to the cannabis industry. Its experienced team includes President and CEO, Scott Korn, who has more than 30 years of experience in the packaging industry. 

Considering cannabis companies will seemingly remain on the rise, companies like PK Packaging are essential in producing strategies that aim to reduce and eliminate plastic in packaging. 

“I believe that PK Packaging can make a real difference for the future of cannabis companies and their consumers by bringing this innovation to the industry. We are talking about the type of advancements in packaging and sustainability that the cannabis industry has not seen on a scalable level.”

-President and CEO Scott Korn

According to PK Packaging’s website, their products offers unique solutions to each client. Making swaps like recyclable paperboard from renewable resources for plastic, they prioritize functionality, company branding and eco-conscious cannabis customers’ values.

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Jamie is a junior at Villanova University double majoring in English and Communications with a specialization in Media Production. She is currently an Editorial Intern at Green Philly. In her spare time she enjoys writing poetry and short stories, along with watching movies and exploring Philly. View all posts by Jamie McClelland