# What Do You Mean By Cannabis Bio-Waste and Recycling of Hemp?

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/08/what-do-you-mean-by-cannabis-bio-waste-and-recycling-of-hemp/
- Published: 2021-08-12T19:57:47-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

In the farm bill of 2018, Hemp and Cannabis production got a green tick from the
US government. With this legalization, CBD and THC products took over the people.
Moreover, now there is a surge in demand. To satisfy these demands on a large production,
we need to leverage [hemp](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/02/heres-why-environmentally-conscious-young-farmers-are-choosing-to-grow-hemp/)
and cannabis growth.

This [production is having dangerous](https://greenlivingguy.com/2023/09/polysorbate-80-dangers-in-everyday-products/)
effects on the environment. Questions arise about how to manage the waste from cannabis
and hemp. Places such as the Ministry of Hemp give us some solutions to this serious
environmental issue, but there is a lot we have to ponder.

![In the farm bill of 2018 hemp and cannabis production got a green tick from the
us government With this legalization cbd and thc products took over the people Moreover
now there is a surge in demand To satisfy these demands on a large production we
need to leverage hemp and cannabis growth](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/
wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hemp-5675705_1920.jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=52&ssl
=1 "What Do You Mean By Cannabis Bio-Waste and Recycling of Hemp? - The Green Living
Guy")

The heavy production of hemp and cannabis leaves a massive amount of biomass behind,
which calls for a proper treatment strategy. The stats show the [waste has accumulated to 1 million](https://greenlivingguy.com/2013/05/fish-waste-report-156-million-pounds-wasted/)
tons in North America. This number is large, with most of the waste constituting
the cannabinoid raw material.

It is posing difficult situations for the hemp manufacturers to handle the cannabis
and hemp waste. A heavy investment awaits a proper sustainable implementation to
potentially use the waste[ generated by hemp and cannabis](https://www.cannabistech.com/articles/hemp-and-cannabis-disposal-processes/).

## **Biomass Boom**

The waste streams coming from hemp and cannabis are its production and packaging
waste. The quantity of waste is high in Colorado states, so the environmentalists
are working to find out the exact numbers of this waste and categorize them into
different categories. Many firms have emerged which collect and [dispose of hemp-cannabis waste](https://medium.com/@ministryofhemp/recyling-hemp-cannabis-waste-for-a-greener-future-985c06417132).

They are trying to maintain data of the waste coming however it is one tedious task.
The THC [wastes are considered hazardous](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/10/u-s-epa-fines-tucson-facility-30000-for-hazardous-waste-violations/),
and thus it has to be treated in a way that does not harm the environment. Currently,
this waste gets converted to compost. However, a short-term plan will orchestrate
to churn out paper and other products from it.

## **Cannabis Disposal Process**

When the cannabis waste gets collected, the first task is to separate it into organic
and non-organic waste. The organic waste gets mulched, and people buy it to amend
the Soil. The non-organic wastes include vapes, plastic, and glass. As they get 
made of sturdy material, they are hard to recycle, but reusing is an option.

The glass and plastic undergo molding and reuse. The government has laid some rules
for the disposal of cannabis. However, the growers tend to [violate the laws](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/11/migratory-bird-hunt-violates-conservation-laws/)
at times. Their wrong approach to cannabis disposal leads to severe threats to the
environment. It also has detrimental effects on the health of the people.

![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/dustbin-5398348_1920.
jpg?resize=780%2C520&quality=52&ssl=1 "dustbin-5398348_1920 - The Green Living Guy")

There are multiple ways to dispose of hemp waste, but most of the growers choose
landfilling. It also becomes the choice of most hemp dealers as it is a comparatively
cheaper option than others. However, Landfilling is not an efficient option for 
cannabis disposal. It does not adhere to the guidelines of the EPA (Environmental
protection agency).

The standards state that the [cannabis products](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/02/hemp-is-good-for-the-planet-heres-how/)
should be removed from the package and labeled as unusable. It also says that the
waste to be dumped should be half cannabis waste and half non-cannabis waste. The
products with a higher concentration of hemp get disposed of with utmost care and
precaution.

## **Regulations for Hemp Disposal**

USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has formulated some methods for hemp
disposal. They divide techniques into two columns depending on their compliance 
outcome. The hemp growers can choose any one way or combine the two of them. The
various agricultural production activities include Plowing under, Mulching/ Composting,
Disking, Bush Mower/ Chopper, Deep Burial, and Burning.

The hemp growers can also make compost of the hemp waste, but it seems impossible
with the added bleach. Compost is only feasible with pure organic compounds. The
other things making it challenging to compost hemp waste are the harmful pesticides
and chemicals added to the hemp.

Because of these reasons, the hemp growers have to go for the other alternatives
of composting. One such is Incineration, where the waste gets burned at high temperatures.
They can also try in-vessel digestion. The ideal compliant outcome of the composting
should be green manure that is perfect for amending with the Soil. For disking, 
the green manure should come out as an additional compliant waste while leveling
the Soil. The Chopper technique is when the biomass is minced and mixed with the
green manure.

## **The Packaging Waste**

The regulation of the state and federal government asks for solid packaging of [the cannabis-hemp products](https://www.theunionjournal.com/richmond-hill-deliver-cannabis-guidelines/).
It means the dealers have to pack it twice with the plastic layers and accommodate
it with plastic caps, plastic bags, plastic bottles, joint tubes, and tins. The 
high demand for cannabis products will mean more production. Hence along with the
rise in trade, both cannabis and plastic waste will rise commensurately.

## **New Rule in 2021**

Currently, USDA has released some temporary changes in the current hemp disposal
regulations. A final draft with new rules will be out by 31 October 2021. The USDA
says that the interim dumping rules hold importance for the disposal of piled-up
cannabis waste.

The final policies need some time for proper crafting, and then it will ensure that
the current disposing system and rules fit smoothly in the final draft. However,
there is no place to dispose of the hot hemp (having more than 0.3% THC). The USDA
will continue to take audits in the farms, and hemp growers must comply with the
current laws.

## **Conclusion**

The disposal and [recycling](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/09/luxury-recycling-and-restoration-with-old-jewelry/)
of harmful substances are a threat to the environment. Looking at the multitude 
of benefits the Cannabis and [Hemp plant](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/06/6-reasons-why-hemp-is-eco-friendly/)
offers, its products are gaining popularity. However, the risk it comes with is 
the non-reusable nature of cannabis. The plastic packaging the cannabis comes in
is causing environmental challenges.

The hemp growers either can continue to use landfills for the dumping of cannabis
waste. Alternatively, they can incline towards more sustainable ways of waste management.
The USDA will also come with more sustainable and better ways of cannabis and hemp
disposal.

_**Author:** Kaitlin Justice_

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
s=300&d=monsterid&r=g)

 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
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