DENVER, Colo., Sept. 30, 2014 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- In response to the estimated 287,279 pounds of legal marijuana that will be sold in Colorado this year and the millions of containers used to package it, Higher Standard Packaging of Denver announced today the introduction of the first eco-friendly containers composed of FDA-approved, recycled milk jug plastic and manufactured specifically for the marijuana industry.
R2 Containers are created from recycled milk jugs consisting of 100 percent high-density polyethylene (HDPE-2). Manufactured in the U.S. and BPA free, this resin meets stringent purity standards through a patented cleaning process that eliminates all contaminants without exposing the resin to any chemical treatments or processes. The FDA has approved the recycled resin for food contact.
The resin meets strict sustainability standards and according to EPA data, it accounts for far less environmental impact than virgin resin used in other containers. Production of recycled resin uses 90 percent less energy and emits 78 percent less greenhouse gases than virgin resin.
Higher Standard Packaging announced that Terrapin Care Station, with two dispensaries in Boulder and two dispensaries opening in Aurora, will be the first cannabis company in the nation to package marijuana using R2 Containers.
Christine Kirk, with a degree in environmental science and the packaging manager for Terrapin Care Station, inspired the search for more environmentally-friendly packaging last January as she watched thousands of plastic bottles leave the dispensaries.
Terrapin Care Station places recycling receptacles in its dispensaries to help minimize the environmental impact of its containers, but Kirk stated, "Collecting used bottles just isn't enough to address the environmental implications of creating and using virgin plastic resin to manufacture all of the containers needed to package marijuana and marijuana-infused products. Our industry needs an eco-friendly container that can be recycled and won't affect the recycling stream adversely."
Chris Woods, owner of Terrapin Care Station dispensaries, said, "This new solution makes us feel better about fostering an environmentally-friendly approach to child-proof marijuana packaging while maintaining the freshness of our high quality products for consumers." Tara Riseley, Terrapin's Brand Manager, added she is "excited to round out Terrapin's sustainability efforts."
Echoing the need for more environmentally friendly packaging Morgan Iwersen, an edibles manufacturer and owner of Canyon Cultivation in Denver said, "It is our responsibility as manufacturers to be positive examples for not only our industry but all industries when it comes to the role we play in our nation's carbon footprint. Utilizing an eco-friendly container that also provides child-resistant closures is a no brainer."
Julie Dooley, president and co-creator of Julie's Baked Goods in Denver, added, "Julie's Baked Goods is excited to see a product which addresses the issue of environmental waste with packaging within our industry. Reducing our carbon footprint is a priority for Julie's Baked Goods, and it is encouraging to see other entrepreneurs working toward the same priority."
Higher Standard Packaging, doing business under the umbrella of d&b consulting, llc, was founded in Denver, Colorado last February by Barbara Diner and Deborah Baker. "Our company caters to finding packaging solutions for the cannabis industry, and these containers are the result of the market demand for eco-friendly packaging," said Baker.
Offering a truly "green" option to the cannabis industry that is competitively priced, Higher Standard Packaging is currently taking orders for R2 Containers in numerous sizes, suitable for packaging concentrates to an ounce of cannabis.
For more information, contact Barbara Diner or Deb Baker at Higher Standard Packaging at 720-583-6535, or visit the website, http://www.higherstandardpackaging.com/ . To learn more about Terrapin Care Station, email info@terrapincarestation.com.
*PHOTO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/14-0930-terrapin-300dpi.jpg .
*Photo Caption: R2 Containers. Credit: Barbara Diner.
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