Here are some tips to choosing materials that are sustainable both financially and environmentally, while protecting your products inside:

Start with considering where you want your product to live on the shelf. Are you a top-shelf premium brand? Are you the everyday smoker tried and true brand? Are you a value brand that offers the best bang for your buck? This choice will heavily impact your material choices and determine which elements will serve your goals best. Choosing glass over plastic could be the determining factor in how a consumer relates to your product. Get back to the origin of your brand strategy and choose materials to which your target customer already relates.

Consider how your choice of materials and print methods impact the overall design appeal. If you want to have the look of a high tech vape product, spot gloss or metallic foil could give it that edge. If you’re an organic farm, choose craft papers and natural inks. If you’re a wellness brand, a cleanly designed package with a silk finish that is nice to touch will compliment your brand with a tactile experience. Find other non-cannabis products that your ideal customer profile already loves and reverse-engineer their packaging choices.

As cannabis consumers are generally more conscious people, consider that the environmental crisis is usually on their minds and a core part of their value system. As an industry, many brands have strived to be a part of the solution, not the problem. You can be a part of the solution by finding ways to choose packaging that uses sustainable materials. Fortunately there are many great options out there that don’t require you to sacrifice quality or brand experience. Explore the world of biodegradable,compostable and recyclable plastics. Choose a printer that is certified by green sustainable standards and organizations.

When designing your packaging and choosing your materials, consider the function of the design. You want the package to stay strong and look good from your packing house, through your distributor, into the retail store and into the home of your consumer. Additionally, you want your product to remain sealed, fresh and undamaged throughout the journey. When planning for shelf-life, consider that you have minimal control over where your product is placed. It could be in a sunny window where light and temperature degrade the product. Try out some samples from different vendors to ensure the materials you choose protect your products from being damaged by light, air, temperature or crushability.

A common argument against going with sustainable packaging is cost. Yes, you will pay a little more if you abandon unsustainable cheap plastics and low-cost boxes. However, it’s a small price to pay to preserve our planet. Many brands have left United States print partners and have chosen to have their product packaging produced in China. If you can print in the U.S., please do. It’s important that we preserve our national print industry and support our local communities. However, if you must produce in China, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability within the printing and packaging industry, similar to trends in the U.S. and other parts of the world. China has its own set of certifications and standards that companies can pursue to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable practices. This does not, however, remove the carbon footprint of shipping your packaging across the planet. When it comes to your packaging choices, keep your BE DO SAY in order. If you tell the world that you have environmentally sustainable values, but do not choose sustainable packaging, this will be recognized as “greenwashing” and your brand’s authenticity will be compromised. Remember, cannabis consumers are smart, informed people that deserve the respect of knowing when they support a brand, they are supporting the values that they share.