What do I do with my empty cannabis containers?
I recently saw a thread posted on the IMCC (Illinois Medical Cannabis Community) Facebook thread asking patients what they do with all their empty cannabis containers. BTW, the IMCC is a fantastic resource for all sorts of information about the Illinois MCPP.
Here are two things that I learned:
Illinois dispensaries cannot take back empty containers
Empty containers are considered “Biohazardous Waste” because medical cannabis is still a Schedule I drug. Some garbage collectors actually refuse to take them unless they are in a specially marked bag labelled “Biohazard Waste.” I know. How absurd is that?
Here are some of the suggestions on the thread:
- The majority of people simply recycle them
- Saving them until dispensaries offer a discount
- Give them to animal hospitals who use them for meds
- Paint them with psychedelic colors and keep assorted objects in them such as beads, nuts, bolts and screws, pins, etc.
- Peel off the labels, adhere to a notebook and write down effects.
- Turn them into an art sculpture contest to raise awareness about the MCPP and answer any questions about the program
- Make a hitter box out of the medium containers and use the bigger containers to carry your chillum and lighter.
- First aid kits for a boat or tackle boxes; containers for spices and creamer for camping
- Rinse them with vodka or everclear to extract residues from the plastic and then make a weak tincture for tea.
- Use them to save garden seeds
- Some WholeFoods and other companies will take them
- Use at the bottom of plant pots to make them lighter and easier to move around while saving soil.
- Lucky 13! One of the cultivators says that they are currently working on a biodegradable hemp container. Would you pay more for a hemp container over a plastic one?
FYI, for those who have friends or family in Colorado: Some cannabis dispensaries and retail shops will give you 10% off your purchases for bringing back empty containers. Others, who recycle the containers, give free pre-rolled joints in exchange for them. So, grab a bunch of containers if you are heading out to Colorado!
If you’ve dreamed up a great way to reuse your containers, please leave a comment below!