Washington State Proposes Bill To Sell Cannabis Waste Rather Than Dumping, Reducing Methane Emissions

Washington House lawmakers approved a bill recently to allow for the public sale of marijuana plant waste such as stalks, leaves, roots and stems with less than 0.3% THC. This waste will not be used for consumption but rather for composting and various hemp-related products like hempcrete and hemp fiber, reported Spokesman. 

These parts of the cannabis plant, not considered dangerous waste under state law, often end up in landfills, creating methane gas as they decompose. This legislation, therefore, follows up on a 2022 law seeking to lower methane emissions by diverting 75% of organic materials from landfills. 

Under state law, marijuana waste must be ground and mixed with a minimum of 50% of other materials like wood chips or sawdust to enable adequate disposal, which then increases the amount of organic waste and methane gas emitted, said Heather Trim, executive director at Zero Waste Washington.

If the bill, SSB 5376, becomes law, it would open up new revenue sources for cultivators in addition to lowering methane emissions. With amendments adopted in the House, the measure is now heading to the Senate for final approval before reaching Governor Jay Inslee's (D) desk. 

At the moment, marijuana producers in Washington state are spending a lot of money on waste services. For example, Blue Roots Cannabis, a producer and processor in Spokane, one of about 1,000 growers in the state, disposes about 2,200 pounds of cannabis byproducts a month. 

"Usually, we mix it with dirt, cocoa, wood chips, all kinds of (organic material). There isn't anything recoverable once it's been ground and mixed like that," said the company's operations manager Seth Shamberg. With the new legislation, companies could be generating revenue instead of paying for waste services.

State Rep. Shelley Kloba (D) said this measure "creates a circular economy," by enabling cultivators to have a new revenue stream, backing buyers who plan to repurpose the byproducts and protecting the environment by reducing landfill waste and methane emissions.

Related Links:

Washington State Rethinks ‘Prohibited Conduct,’ New Hampshire Debates Weed Franchise Model And More

Growing Your Own Weed Could Land You In Jail In Washington State As Home Cultivation Bill Dies In House Committee

The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference is returning to Florida, in a new venue in Hollywood, on April 16 and 17, 2024. The two-day event at The Diplomat Beach Resort will be a chance for entrepreneurs, both large and small, to network, learn and grow. Renowned for its trendsetting abilities and influence on the future of cannabis, mark your calendars – this conference is the go-to event of the year for the cannabis world. Get your tickets now on bzcannabis.com – Prices will increase very soon!

Photo: Courtesy of Creativan via Shutterstock