“We recognize the urgent need to address plastic pollution, especially within the cannabis industry, and this initiative is a proactive step towards minimizing our environmental impact.”
When we visited Coast Cannabis last year, co-founder and CEO Angela Brown told us the company “was born out of cannabis consumers that were disgruntled with the market.”
“We thought we deserved better,” Brown said, “and set out to create a brand that thought of the product first and the cost second. We really honed in on those ingredients and that’s why when it comes to our edibles we use such high-quality organic products.”
And those ideals extend to the wrapper. The East Wareham manufacturer just announced “a significant step towards environmental sustainability with the launch of its new chocolate bar packaging made from recycled ocean plastic. This innovative initiative underscores Coast’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint while promoting a circular economy.”
“We began recovering ocean bound plastics by organizing local beach clean-ups and partnering with Save The Harbor in Boston,” Brown said. “We were looking to expand our reach, now we are Talking Trash with AE Global and working together to reduce ocean bound plastics around the hemisphere.”
The company explained in a media release: “The introduction of packaging made from ocean plastic represents a pivotal moment for Coast as it aligns with the company’s core values of environmental stewardship and corporate responsibility. By utilizing recycled ocean plastic, Coast aims to mitigate plastic pollution in oceans while simultaneously offering consumers a more sustainable packaging option.”
“Our decision to incorporate ocean plastic into our packaging materials reflects our dedication to fostering a more sustainable future,” Brown said. “We recognize the urgent need to address plastic pollution, especially within the cannabis industry, and this initiative is a proactive step towards minimizing our environmental impact.”
As for how this all gets done: “Ocean plastic, sourced through responsible collection and recycling efforts, undergoes a meticulous transformation process to meet Coast’s high-quality packaging standards. The new packaging maintains the same level of durability and functionality expected from Coast, while also contributing to the preservation of marine ecosystems.” And, “In addition to utilizing ocean plastic in its packaging, Coast is actively exploring other sustainable practices across its operations, including renewable energy initiatives, waste reduction strategies, and eco-friendly product development.”
Mike Forenza, the CEO of AE Global, said, “We are working to eradicate ocean bound plastic and increase awareness of this major problem. … More than 80% of ocean plastic starts on land, so we built infrastructure in the Dominican Republic with the capacity and capabilities to capture that plastic before it enters the ocean and transform it into sustainable packaging. For this to work we need the support and partnership of forward-thinking companies like Coast Cannabis Co.”
