MJBizMag February 2022 - 54

UNBOXED Cannabis Packaging and Design Insights
Ever Greener
Oregrown's new vape and extract packaging boosts recyclability
and minimizes plastic use
By Kate Bertrand Connolly
O
regrown is putting its
sustainability credo into
action. The vertically
integrated cannabis company
redesigned packaging for its
vape cartridges and concentrates,
replacing plastic packaging materials
with recyclable paperboard.
For Oregrown's line of extracts,
the Bend, Oregon-based company's
in-house team designed a custom
sleeve-and-tray pack with a die-cut
to hold the child-resistant jar. The
new design eliminates a plastic
foam insert that was part of the
previous package design.
The brand's new packaging for
vape cartridges and PAX pods-a
child-resistant paperboard carton
with sliding tray-replaces plastic
pop-tops. Both package designs
bypass the need for a plastic,
child-resistant exit bag, which
is a state requirement when
selling retail cannabis products in
non-child-resistant packaging.
Sustainable Priorities
Oregrown's new cartons display the
chasing-arrows recycling symbol,
the Forest Stewardship Council
(FSC)-certified logo and the " Carton
Made with Wind Energy " icon.
" We've very happy to be able to
showcase that on our packaging, "
said Riley Ruano, marketing director
at Oregrown. " We believe that by
making a real effort toward being
more sustainable, it proves to our
customer base that we take sustainability
seriously. It's not just a
marketing ploy. "
54 February 2022 | MJBizMagazine
SUPPLIERS
Paperboard cartons:
All Packaging Co.,
allpack.com
Label printing: Premier
Printing Solutions,
ppsbend.com
The redesigned vape packaging is
on dispensary shelves now, and the
new extract cartons will follow in
early 2022.
Switching to eco-friendly materials
increased packaging costs, but
Oregrown was able to justify the
increase without boosting prices.
In-house production efficiencies
and economies of scale helped
offset the costs.
" As we increase the size of our
batches and the amount of product
we produce, we can order more
labels, which drives our label costs
down, " Ruano said.
Made in the USA
The 18-month project included
many subtle improvements to
the packaging designs, including
the addition of soft-touch and
debossed features. Brand marks
appear on the same part of the
package as before, offering visual
continuity and brand recognition at
the point of sale.
Colorado-based All Packaging Co.
supplies Oregrown's new cartons,
and Oregon-based Premier Printing
Solutions is the brand's print shop.
Oregrown designs all label and
brand graphics in-house.
Having American-made packaging
" is a huge step in (consumers) trusting
the messaging of something
being sustainable, " Ruano said. To
communicate this message, Oregrown
prominently displays " Made
in the USA " on the redesigned
packaging.
" You have to walk the walk "
when it comes to sustainability,
Ruano added. " I think that's the
biggest thing-being authentic and
making sure that we're following
the steps that we portray. "
To suggest a product for this
department, email magazine@
mjbizdaily.com.
http://www.allpack.com/ https://ppsbend.com
MJBizMag February 2022

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