Discreet, compact and efficient, cannabis vapes and cartridges have been growing in popularity over the years.
While they produce a less intense aroma and are easy to use, they aren't always the most sustainable option for cannabis consumption, specifically in regards to disposable THC vapes.
And as they often have rechargeable lithium batteries, disposable vapes shouldn't be thrown directly into the trash, but rather sealed in a plastic bag and dropped off at the Waste to Energy Facility's household hazardous waste drop-off area.
Cartridges that users attach to a battery are much more environmentally friendly, as they produce less waste, and there are some farms that focus on implementing a variety of sustainable practices in their growing and production processes.
Whether you're buying your first cart or need to restock, here are four brands that prioritize being environmentally friendly to check out.
PACIFIC AND PINE
Located in the Upper Columbia Basin, Pacific and Pine aims to act as stewards to the land in its cannabis production by using methods such as cover cropping, or growing other plants that aren't for harvest alongside cannabis to promote soil health and protect from erosion and nutrient loss. The farm also practices companion planting, which means growing plants that have a symbiotic relationship with cannabis to promote growth and help with pest deterrence. Using drip irrigation systems to conserve water, and composting plant and soil waste to redistribute it into the soil, Pacific and Pine's practices help them produce high-quality products while giving back to the earth that grew them. They produce a variety of cartridge flavors, including Black Gushers, Blueberry Diesel and Orange Fruit Snax, providing an array of sustainably sourced and flavorful options for your enjoyment.
WALDEN CANNABIS
Rather than using high-energy-consuming lights to grow cannabis, Walden Cannabis is a fully sun-grown farm, meaning that all of their plants are grown in the ground or a greenhouse using sunlight as their main energy source for growth, producing a much lower carbon footprint than indoor growing methods. Walden Cannabis also uses drip tape — tubing that distributes water directly to the roots of the plant — and organic mulch to help reduce water evaporation, therefore requiring less water to grow the plants. They also support a variety of projects that help reduce or capture carbon emissions, such as reforestation and renewable energy projects. Walden produces CBD cartridges that have a lower amount of THC, as well as a variety of different types of wax that you can put into a wax pen, providing a less wasteful alternative to disposable cartridges and vapes.
DOCTOR & CROOK
Participating in the Certified With Confidence program, which tests cannabis for things like heavy metals and pesticides to ensure that participating brands meet state quality assurance requirements and are labeled correctly, Doctor & Crook doesn't use additives or pesticides in its growing or production. They primarily curate small batches, partnering with other farms to provide buyers with a robust assortment of high-quality cartridges. With a wide assortment of strains such as Super Juice, Ghost OG and Go East 542, you can find a great fit for your personal cannabis consumption preferences and know exactly what you're getting.
SOULSHINE CANNABIS
Located in Renton, Washington, Soulshine Cannabis works to be environmentally friendly in all aspects of their work, growing cannabis plants indoors and implementing hand trimming and hand watering practices in their production process. Additionally, they partner with Emerald City Pet Rescue, providing a portion of their retail sales to support efforts to rescue and rehabilitate animals. With various cartridges such as Huckleberry Milkshake, Garlic Mints and Sweet Lime, Soulshine Cannabis produces an array of unique products while being environmentally conscious and giving back to the community.
