Shane Peters says he sees a lot of plastic cannabis containers and packaging that never make it into a recycling bin.

The 21-year-old works at a pot shop on Huron Church Road in Windsor, Ont.

He’s pushing for the Ontario Cannabis Store and Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario to adopt a sustainable packaging and container return program — similar to the one at The Beer Store. 

“We see quite a bit wasted, even just in my location, like out in the parking lot — little joint tubes scattered all around,” said Peters. “I used to walk to work and it’s a 30-minute walk. And along this whole walk, there’s cannabis packages all over the place, all over the ground, just out in the grass.”

Health Canada sets packaging standards for recreational marijuana products and licensed producers must adhere to them. 

As of April 23, there are 1,791 cannabis stores in Ontario that are authorized to be open, according to the AGCO.

A Toronto Metropolitan University study published in 2020 estimated between 5.8 million and 6.4 million kilograms of plastic cannabis packaging ended up in Canadian landfills.

The OCS says some packaging can be recycled via curbside programs.

“In other cases, cannabis packaging may be recycled through special programs by participating licensed producers and authorized cannabis stores,” said Amanda Winto of OCS communications.

“Some stores have even created their own packaging take-back programs and will collect specific waste, such as vape cartridges and batteries.”

Peters is also a student in the environmental studies program at the University of Windsor.

“It’s very discouraging … and it being such a new industry, there was really no reason for there not to be some sort of green initiative like this put in place from legalization.”

Peters believes standardized packaging — either plastic or glass jars — that would give you a deposit you could bring back for reuse could incentivize consumers.

“I believe that could work. Even those who don’t have so much passion for the conservation aspect of it.”

Peters said customers, especially returning ones, often voice their concerns about the packaging for the cannabis.

“There’s a couple of companies that really go excessive with their packaging.”

The OCS says the reason for so much packaging is to protect against accidental consumption and so it doesn’t appeal to kids.

It’s also designed to prevent contamination and keep cannabis fresh, its website states.

Each licensed producer is responsible for producing packaging.

Why is so much cannabis-related plastic recycled?

The OCS says the reason so much plastic is used in packaging, instead of compostable and biodegradable materials, is for “product protection, weight, compliance, user friendliness and recyclability.” 

“Plastic is often used because it is lightweight, inexpensive and versatile and can be used to maintain freshness.”

It says some producers are making use of recycled content and using plastic alternatives such as glass jars and cardboard boxes.

To determine the type of plastic used in cannabis packaging and whether it can be recycled, the OCS says to check the bottom of the container for a code displayed within the recycling symbol.

Curbside recycling programs vary between municipalities, it says.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP) and other plastics or multi-layer combinations are the most commonly used materials in cannabis packaging that can be recycled, according to the OCS website.

Peters admits his online petition is more for the “long term,” adding it would be difficult, logistically, to make happen — with individual stores adhering to the same model.

“[It] would need to be a provincial-wide thing endorsed by the industry itself, the decision makers themselves.”