The 2024 Sustainable Cannabis Packaging Outlook

Cannabis vapes are some of the industry's most popular products, with significant sales growth over the past several years. Consumers are buying staggering numbers of cannabis vape cartridges, and manufacturers are producing packaging waste to match. Today, we will discuss this aspect of the cannabis vape market.

The State of Cannabis Packaging

Just like everything else, cannabis vape packaging goes through trends. In 2024, we see a few key trends emerge.

Cannabis Vaporizer Cartridge Sustainability

Consumers are increasingly looking for products made from sustainable materials that are recyclable or compostable. This leads to a growing demand for cannabis vape cartridges made from recycled or sustainably sourced materials.

Vape Packaging Transparency

Consumers want to know precisely what they are buying, and they want to be able to trust that the products they are consuming are safe and of high quality. Cannabis consumers want vape cartridges clearly labeled with information about the product's ingredients, potency, and testing results.

An Emphasis on Cannabis Packaging that Looks Great

Of course, aesthetics remain important in cannabis vape packaging. Consumers want visually appealing products that reflect their style, resulting in a rise in cannabis vape cartridges designed with various colors, textures, and designs.

What Are Cannabis Vape Cartridges?

Cannabis vape cartridges are disposable, prefilled cartridges typically compatible with 510-threaded batteries. They are usually small cylinders, less than an inch in diameter and a couple of inches long. These cartridges, or “carts,” are designed to be thrown away once empty, though the batteries are designed to be recharged and reused. 510-threaded batteries are typically no-frills, with minimal functions, setting options, and an emphasis on convenience and ease of use.

How Are Cannabis Vape Cartridges Packaged in 2024?

Cannabis vape cartridges are packaged in tubes, foil bags, or small paperboard boxes. More often than not, these packages are made of new materials, including virgin plastics. Though parts of plastic tubes and paperboard boxes are usually recyclable, the vast amount of trash from cannabis vape cartridges will end up in landfills or the environment. 

Cannabis vape packaging is typically brightly colored and eye-catching, with creative branding designed to stand out from similar products on dispensary and smoke shop shelves. These packages usually feature strong branding and information about the company, cultivar, and cannabinoid content of the cartridge. 

Cartridge packaging must adhere to several laws and regulations as well. Depending on where it is being sold, cannabis vape cartridges may need to be childproof or child-resistant, securely sealable, and tamper-evident. Most states also require vape cartridge packages to feature a QR code that leads to lab test information on the company’s website. 

The Future of 510 Vape Packaging

Consumers are more concerned than ever about purchasing sustainable products from eco-friendly companies, and it’s time for cannabis vape packaging to catch up. We predict that the future of cannabis vape cartridge packing will move in a sustainable direction, shifting toward eco-friendly packaging materials that don’t sacrifice aesthetics or design. 

Eco-Friendly Cannabis Packaging for Vape Cartridges

There are many promising solutions for the future of cannabis vape packaging. The two most prominent are plant-based plastic tubes and reclaimed ocean-bound plastic tubes. 

Hemp Plastics Packaging for Cannabis Vape Cartridges

Some plant-based plastic tubes are made at partially out of hemp. Hemp is a fast-growing, relatively sustainable crop that can create durable and lightweight bioplastics. 

Hemp plastic also has a distinctive, natural look. This can be a great feature for companies that want to emphasize their environmental responsibility. The lightly textured, natural-colored tubes stand out compared to standard white and clear plastic packaging, and when you add custom logos and labels to hemp tubes, your product pops on the shelf. 

Reclaimed Ocean-Bound Plastic Tubes for Cannabis Vape Cartridges

Cannabis vape cartridge packaging made from reclaimed ocean-bound plastic is another great option for more sustainable cannabis vape cartridge packaging. Reclaimed ocean-bound plastic refers to plastic waste in danger of being washed into the ocean. It is collected, recycled, and turned into products that help to keep plastic out of our oceans and waterways. 

Where to Source Sustainable Cannabis Packaging Materials

Sana Packaging is one of the premier sources of sustainable and eco-friendly cannabis packaging solutions. We offer many fully customizable products, including plant-based and reclaimed tubes for cannabis vape cartridges. 

Sana Packaging uses 100% plant-based and chemical-free hemp plastic made from hemp and corn. We offer several different products from our plant-based hemp plastic, but the most popular for packaging cannabis vape cartridges is our 78mm Hemp Tube. 

Sana Packaging also offers reclaimed ocean-bound plastic packaging for vape cartridges and more. Our most popular size for vape cartridges is our 78mm Ocean Tube. Additionally, the Hemp Tube and Ocean Tube can both double as pre-roll tubes, giving your company increased flexibility and functionality when assessing cannabis packing solutions.

Contact us today to learn more about our products, request a sample, or discuss customization options. We would be honored to help you reduce your cannabis company’s footprint and simultaneously stand out from the sea of competing products.