Which is best: Jars or Pouches?
Since cannabis legalization in Canada, there has been a constant debate on the best packaging format to house dried flower. One of the main arguments prominent among consumers, retailers, and LP’s alike has been which is better: jars or pouches?
We want to preface this by saying there is no right or wrong answer.
We are proud to supply both formats, and believe there are advantages to both. Considerations when selecting a packaging format should be made by looking at all aspects of supply chain: procurement and warehousing, fulfillment and packaging, storage and transport, and consumer experience, and reviewing the pros and cons of each.
Here is a brief side by side comparison, considering many factors in the product cycle:
Rigid Packaging: Jars & Caps |
Flexible Packaging: CR Pouches |
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Stock Solutions | Stock solutions available in white and black
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Stock solutions available in white and black
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Customization | Can be made to order in custom colours, custom recycled materials, or custom induction liners/freshness foam
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Can be made to order in any size, custom colour, or any custom print (including rotating Health Canada warnings)
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Supply chain | Options for domestic and overseas product sources | Options for domestic and overseas product sources |
Warehousing | Standard jars are generally 15,000 units per pallet; caps 20,000 per pallet | Depending on the size pouches can be 20,000 to 50,000 units per pallet |
Product filling | Fill by hand or with specialized equipment | Fill by hand or with specialized equipment |
Product freshness | Caps available with freshness foam to remain under the cap; consider adding a humidity packet to maintain product profile
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Consider packaging with nitrogen infusion, or adding a humidity packet to maintain product profile |
Sealing | Variety of induction-seal equipment available ranging from hand-held to fully-automated
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Variety of heat-seal equipment available ranging from hand-held to fully-automated
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Labelling | 1 label wraps around PDP; pre-printed is not conducive for use in the Canadian market
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Can combine pre-printing static data, and over-print or label variable production data; or apply full labels to back, front or both
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Warehousing and transport | Rigid packaging formats can be designed to remain in secure master case location. Consider dividers or other structural stability to reduce movement. | Utilize gusset to stand up pouch. Consider dividers or other structural stability to reduce movement during transport. |
Consumer experience | Familiar push down and turn child-resistant format.
Perception of over-packaging if product fills less than jar capacity, as well as overall packaging weight. |
Familiar tear-off strip.
Practice may be required to engage CR zipper. Perception of less material, less weight, and overall less packaging. |
Recycling |
Vessels available in a variety of universally* recyclable materials including PET (Recycle symbol #1), HDPE (Recycle # 2), PP (Recycled #5) plastics, glass and tin.Closures available in PP/co-poly, universally recyclable*recyclability depends on municipal restrictions, ie: black plastic cannot be recycled in Toronto |
Recycle # 7 due to multilayer combinations of different plastics.Recyclability depends on municipal restrictions.Cannabis packaging is best recycled through in-store recycling programs. |