How to Dispose of Cannabis Packaging in Ontario

Published on April 19, 2022 | Last updated October 22, 2024

Some cannabis packaging can be recycled, but the reality is that most won’t be. This is due to a variety of waste processing and management restrictions that vary from municipality to municipality.

Read on to learn the ins and outs of recreational cannabis packaging, including why certain materials are used, how to recycle cannabis packaging that is recyclable and what to do with packaging that can’t be recycled at home.

Why is there so much packaging?

The design of cannabis packaging in Canada is influenced by many factors. Licensed Producers must adhere to strict packaging and labelling requirements, established by the federal Cannabis Act and enforced by Health Canada, to protect against accidental consumption, ensure products are not appealing to children or youth and provide consumers with the necessary information to make informed decisions. Each Producer also makes packaging choices based on price, brand aesthetics and the need to maintain product freshness and quality.

Canadian cannabis packaging regulations

The federal Cannabis Act specifies that cannabis must be packaged in containers that are:

• opaque or semi-transparent
• tamper-evident and child-resistant
• designed to prevent contamination and keep cannabis fresh

These specific requirements can make it difficult to use materials that are easily recyclable and will not end up in a landfill.

Health warnings and information 
Health Canada has strict requirements for what information must be displayed on cannabis labels. Each Licensed Producer must use packaging that includes mandatory health warnings, the standardized cannabis symbol and specific information about the product.

Learn more about the legal requirements for cannabis packaging.

Why does packaging use so much plastic?

There’s no perfect packaging solution for cannabis. Licensed Producers need to strike a balance between product protection, weight, regulatory compliance, user-friendliness, recyclability and other factors, so choosing easily recycled materials can be difficult. Producers often use plastic because it is lightweight, inexpensive and versatile, and helps maintain freshness.

Cannabis packaging improvement efforts
Although cannabis packaging has specific requirements, Licensed Producers are making efforts to reduce packaging waste. They’re focusing on:

• Reducing weight: Many Licensed Producers have found ways to make their packaging smaller and lighter, using less material and making it easier to transport.
• Recycled content: Some cannabis producers are using recycled content or even reclaimed ocean plastics in their packaging.
• Plastic alternatives: Producers are increasingly using alternatives to plastic, such as glass jars, aluminum containers and cardboard boxes, for products such as dried flower and pre-rolls.

Can I send cannabis packaging back to the OCS to be reused or refilled?

No, unfortunately the OCS cannot accept cannabis packaging. Federal regulations require cannabis products to be securely packaged by Licensed Producers and sealed with an excise stamp before delivery to the OCS. However, many Authorized Cannabis Stores in Ontario have in-store recycling programs, so be sure to ask your local shop. These programs typically sort the material and send it to specialized facilities to be processed, depending on the materials collected.

Can OCS shipping and packaging boxes be recycled?

We make sure that whenever possible, we choose shipping materials that can be reused or recycled. The following items can be recycled from OCS.ca shipments:

• OCS-branded cardboard boxes
• packing paper
• packing slips

We use bubble wrapping to package beverages, and sometimes we use padded bubble mailers to protect products from shaking during shipping. Although those padded envelopes can’t be recycled as-is, you can separate the paper from the plastic lining and then recycle the paper or reuse it for other purposes.

How do I know if the cannabis packaging I have is recyclable?

Cannabis products come packaged in a variety of formats, including:

• resealable pouches
• plastic jars
• glass bottles
• aluminum cans
• plastic tubes
• cardboard boxes

Before disposal, separate materials as best you can. For example, remove plastic lids from glass jars, or any plastic tabs from cardboard packaging.

Here’s a closer look at the materials used most often in cannabis packaging and how to dispose of them.

TYPE OF PACKAGING	WHERE CAN I DISPOSE OF IT?	EXAMPLE
Opaque rigid plastic	The most frequently used type of packaging in the cannabis industry, opaque rigid plastic is a durable material made from the waste of fossil fuel extraction. How do I dispose of this packaging? Recycling Garbage, if it’s black plastic
Composite material flexible plastics	This packaging consists of a lightweight material, such as Mylar bags, made from different types of plastics. Recycling facilities do not have the capacity to separate the composite material or handle the flexible nature of this packaging. How do I dispose of this packaging? Garbage
Compostable plastics	Designed to degrade within a specific timeframe, this packaging can only be sent to specific types of industrial composting facilities, which are not common in Canada. How do I dispose of this packaging? Garbage, unless guidance from your municipality states otherwise. You may be able to put them in a home composting system, but the timing of decomposition will vary.
Bioplastics	These plastics use organic material as part of the manufacturing process but cannot be recycled or composted using current Canadian infrastructure. There is no commodities market associated with this material, so even if it can be recycled, it does not have an end market. How do I dispose of this packaging? Garbage
Paper and cardboard	Paper and cardboard boxes are used for a variety of products. Once recycled, this material is commonly repurposed to make other cardboard and recycled paper products. How do I dispose of this packaging? Recycling. This material is accepted in almost all Blue Box programs.
Metal (including aluminum and steel)	Metal containers are most commonly used for cannabis beverages. Once recycled, this material is typically repurposed to make aluminum or steel cans or other products. How do I dispose of this packaging? Recycling. This material is accepted in almost all Blue Box programs.
Glass	Glass containers are typically used for dried flower and beverage cannabis products. Once recycled, this material is commonly repurposed to make glass bottles, jars and fibreglass. How do I dispose of this packaging? Recycling. This material is accepted in almost all Blue Box programs.