DISPOSABLE VAPE CARTRIDGES - A WASTED PROBLEM
Like coffee pods, disposable water bottles and plastic straws, vape-related waste is attracting attention. It is not surprising given vaping’s surging popularity, but no one wants to see industry growth hindered or environmental responsibility unfulfilled. We would like to think that the industry is caring, environmentally conscious. But are they? From patron to manufacturer, to dispensary what can they do? Recycling vape cartridges, batteries and disposables isn’t as easy as it could be. Carts for the Arts seeks to raise awareness to the fact that we need better legislation and better awareness to help the industry as a whole become more sustainable.
The 'Carts for the Arts' exhibit premiered at the UpcyclePop Holiday market event on December 15th 2019, which is a holiday event and market for upcycled and repurposed items that hosts live performances, interactive art , creative stations for kids and an art gallery exhibit or two. Carts for the Arts exhibited in the large Gallery Suite along with an expert panel discussion on the topic of the tsunami of waste consistently growing from single-use cartridges, batteries, and packaging currently produced in the cannabis industry. Carts for the Arts seeks to create awareness through art exhibits and panel discussions while driving stakeholders to convene and work together. Legislation must change to enable closing the manufacturing system into a loop. With a zero waste mindset, manufactures must start considering how they can redesign their products and brands must find a better way to introduce their product other than disposables. We think the cannabis industry could get ahead of the curve and be a leader in sustainability.
SOLUTION LEADERS
THANK YOU TO OUR FIRST PANELISTS FROM DECEMBER 15, 2019
IN THE PRESS
CALIFORNIA NONPROFIT TACKLES VAPE RECYCLING ISSUES THROUGH COLLABORATION AND ART
Up Kindness is calling attention to the challenges surrounding vape cartridge recycling with an upcycled art exhibit, and brainstorming solutions through panel discussions. Cannabis Business Times - December 19, 2019
MAKING ART FROM OLD VAPE PEN DISCARDS
Disposable vapes and cartridges reach new highs every day, and with them an enormous amount of post-consumer waste. According to BDS Analytics, vape cartridges are the fastest-growing sector of California’s $2.5 billion cannabis industry. Millions of power supplies and cartridges are produced every year, and California is expected to account for nearly one-fourth of all cannabis sales in the U.S. by 2024. The Leaf Online - December 10, 2019
READ MORE
As you toss your used-up cannabis oil vape cartridge in the trash, you might wonder, can I recycle that instead? The short answer is no—and with the popularity of vape pens steadily rising, that’s a problem. Reports show that concentrate sales are expected to overtake flower sales by 2022, with a large majority of these oils being consumed through pre-loaded vape cartridges. Read more on leafly.
With so many different iterations of disposable vape pens flooding the market, environmentalists and concerned consumers are cringing about the inevitable flood of post-consumer waste these products are causing. The cannabis industry is growing, and its garbage problems are growing right along with it. Read more on Forbes