Most people open their order, take out the product and throw the pouch away. We understand that. But the pouch has done an important job before then, and we chose it for several reasons. Here we explain which material we use for our CBD flowers, CBD hash, oils and vapes, what it protects against and how to recycle the pouch.
At a glance
- Our pouches are made from Metallised Martha by the European packaging company Packiro.
- The material keeps out almost all UV light and has very low permeability to oxygen and moisture.
- Light, oxygen, heat and moisture are what break down cannabinoids and terpenes over time.
- All three layers are polypropylene, and the pouch carries the Made for Recycling certification from Interzero.
- The pouch goes in plastic recycling, and you do not need to separate any layers.
Why packaging matters
Light, oxygen, heat and moisture are what break down cannabinoids and terpenes over time. A classic study from 1976 found that light was the most important factor behind the loss of cannabinoids during storage, and a 2010 study found that cannabis products kept much better in the dark and cold than in light and at room temperature.
Across Europe, storage conditions also vary a lot between seasons. A pouch that stays sealed tight all year round is not a given. A pouch that keeps out light, oxygen and moisture does real work, while one that does not is just a wrapper.
Metallised Martha by Packiro
The material is called Metallised Martha and is made by the European packaging company Packiro. It is a three-layer mono-plastic pouch with a thin metallised layer in the middle:
- Outer layer (matt BOPP): the printed surface on the outside.
- Middle layer (metallised OPP): the barrier that keeps out UV light, oxygen and moisture.
- Inner layer (transparent CPP): food-safe plastic that is in contact with the product.
All three layers are made from the same plastic family, polypropylene. That is what makes the pouch a mono-plastic, and it matters a lot for recycling.
What the material protects against
UV light: 99.95 percent blocked
CBD flowers and hash are sensitive to light. UV radiation breaks down cannabinoids and terpenes over time. The metallised layer lets through only 0.05 percent of UV light. It is the same reason good-quality coffee and tea are often sold in similar pouches.
Oxygen: below 25 cm³/m² per day
Oxygen drives oxidation. The lower the permeability, the longer flowers and hash stay fresh, and the better the terpene profile is preserved. Terpenes give each strain its unique aroma. If you want to know more about them, you can read our article on terpenes in cannabis.
Moisture: below 0.1 g/m² per day
That is a very low value. For CBD flowers, moisture control is important. If they get too moist, the risk of mould increases, and if they get too dry, the buds become brittle and lose quality. A tight moisture barrier keeps conditions stable from the moment we pack the pouch until you open it.
The products we pack in these pouches
CBD flowers
Flowers are the most sensitive thing we sell when it comes to light, air and moisture, so this is where the material does the most good. That is why we always ship flowers in Martha pouches, and that goes for every strain in our CBD flower range.
CBD hash
Hash needs the same protection as flowers. It is also sensitive to light and oxygen, and poor packaging makes it break down faster. You can find the full range among our CBD hash products.
CBD oils
Our oils are also shipped in Martha pouches. For the oils, UV protection and the aroma barrier matter most, together with the zip that lets you close the pouch again.
CBD vapes
Cartridges and disposables are packed in Martha pouches for shipping and storage. Here the protection is mainly about keeping the contents of the cartridge in good condition until you start using it. You can find the full range among our CBD vape products.
How to recycle the pouch
The pouches carry the Made for Recycling certification from Interzero, a German recycling company. The assessment uses a method developed together with the bifa Environmental Institute and certified by the Fraunhofer Institute, and it shows that the material can be sorted and recycled in practice.
Because all layers are made from the same plastic, you do not need to separate anything before recycling the pouch. It goes in plastic recycling collection across Europe.
The material is also BPA-free, contains no aluminium foil and is made without solvent-based adhesives. It is approved for food contact and made in Europe.
Why we are telling you this
A cheap pouch and a good pouch can look the same from the outside. You cannot tell whether a pouch protects its contents just by looking at it.
We chose Metallised Martha because the specifications hold up. It is the same thinking behind everything else we do, from GMP-certified production of our oils to CCell hardware in our vapes and lab testing of every product. The details matter, and we would rather be open about them.
What packaging does Raw Hemp use?
We use Metallised Martha by Packiro, a pouch made of three layers of polypropylene with a thin metallised layer that keeps out UV light, oxygen and moisture.
Can I recycle the pouch?
Yes. All layers are made from the same plastic, polypropylene, and the pouch is certified Made for Recycling by Interzero. It goes in plastic recycling and you do not need to separate anything.
Does the pouch contain aluminium?
The pouch contains no aluminium foil. The barrier is a very thin metallised layer on a plastic film, and the whole pouch counts as a mono-plastic.
How should I store my CBD flowers?
Store them somewhere cool, dry and dark. The pouch protects against light, oxygen and moisture, and the zip lets you close it after each time you open it.
Sources
- Packiro. Metallised Martha: material specification.
- Packiro. The Made for Recycling certification.
- Fairbairn, J. W., Liebmann, J. A. and Rowan, M. G. (1976). The stability of cannabis and its preparations on storage. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 28, 1–7.
- Lindholst, C. (2010). Long term stability of cannabis resin and cannabis extracts. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 42, 181–190.
