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Environmental Impacts of Cannabis in Colorado

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Environmental Impacts of Cannabis in Colorado Environmental Impacts of Cannabis in Colorado Presented by Kaitlin Urso 5/19/2020 Environmental Impacts of Cannabis Cultivation Energy for lighting and HVAC ◦ NOx and other emissions from generators in rural areas & fuel burning Water treatment, irrigation, run-off, erosion, and wastewater effluent Plant waste, universal waste, and hazardous waste Air emissions Terpenes= VOCs Chemical use – pesticides, fertilizers, and solvents Environmental Impacts of Product Processing Solvent evaporation contributes to ozone formation (VOCs) CO2 releases Cleaning products Haz Waste from solvent extraction Plant waste NEW National Cannabis Industry to release Environmental Sustainability White Paper – June 2020 Environmental Impacts Best Management Practices Policies Necessary to position the cannabis industry as a leader in environmental sustainability and to help influence environmental policy that comes along with federal legalization. Project Managed by Kaitlin Urso, CO SBEAP As cannabis grows, it naturally emits odorous terpenes. Terpenes are volatile organic compounds. *Terpenes VOC (odor) VOC VOC VOC VOC VOC chemically react with NOx in sunlight to form ground-level ozone. *Terpenes (odor) Ozone VOC VOC NOx NOx VOC VOC VOC NO x NOx NOx VOC emissions from cannabis cultivation are subject to state air quality regulations . Marijuana cultivation is considered an “agricultural activity” ‒ Even when it is grown indoors . Agricultural activities are exempt (for the most part) from state air quality regulations ‒ CRS 25-7- 109(8)(a) 7 Solvents Evaporate VOCs during Extraction and Cleaning- Compliance Point VOC Common Solvents VOC ◦ Propane VOC VOC VOC ◦ Butane VOC VOC ◦ Ethanol ◦ Isopropyl Alcohol Mass Balance for calculating air emissions ◦ Purchased minus inventory minus waste pick-up ◦ Assume everything else evaporates www.colorado.gov/cdphe/greencannabis/air-quality VOC emissions from extraction facilities ARE subject to air quality regulations! . The processing of the plants with solvents to extract concentrates at MIP facilities is considered a manufacturing process. Manufacturing processes are subject to air quality regulations including APEN and permitting requirements based on annual emissions levels. www.colorado.gov/cdphe/greencannabis/air-quality 9 CDPHE Air Quality Sampling Study $31,000 to establish a VOC emission factor for cannabis cultivation . Air quality sampling at four cannabis cultivation facilities • Air Samples collected: • Clone, veg., flower rooms • Harvesting and trimming activities • Pre and post filtration at exhaust points Project Managed by Kaitlin Urso, CO SBEAP Terpenes increase as the plant grows LOW VOC HIGH VOC CLONE VEG FLOWER DRY / CURE TRIM EXTRACTION Odor control BMPs may also control VOC emissions Carbon filtration is currently the best control technology for reducing VOC emissions from cannabis cultivation facilities. (50-98%) Carbon filter with pre-filter 12 The CO2 Capture and Reuse Project Project Managed by Kaitlin Urso, CO SBEAP Regulatory Lessons from Colorado Cannabis Fiber recovery exemption from 50/50 rule for stalks and stems Allowing for take back recycling programs at facilities for packaging waste and vape waste Allowing for e-waste recycling of vape cartridges Allowing for irrigation of hemp with reclaimed water Better access to composting- allowing 50/50 mix to take place in truck Best Practices for Air Quality ◦Carbon filtration controls odor and VOC emissions from cultivation and extraction (don’t exceed flow rate) ◦Maintain temperature and humidity within ranges ◦Prevent solvent leaks- storage devices and equipment ◦Never dispose of a solvent through direct evaporation ◦Maintain an inventory of all solvents & calculate annual air emissions Best Practices for Energy ◦ Track and trend your energy metrics ◦ Start with efficiency- upgrade equipment ◦ Lighting, HVAC, insulation, controls ◦ Fans to create a uniform environment ◦ Adjust/stagger equipment scheduling to avoid peak demand ◦ Rolling benches & vertical farming Best Practices for Water Track and trend your water metrics Precise and automated watering In-house water treatment ◦ UV, ozone, carbon filters =GOOD ◦ Reverse Osmosis (RO)= BAD =~50% water to waste ◦ Facility upgrades: aerated faucets, low flow toilets, etc Best Practices for Plant Waste Composting and diversion ◦ 50/50 rule limits options ◦ Bokashi Fermentation or composting is best ◦ In MA - >1 ton of organic material per week – diverted to compost or AD (must still be mixed 50/50- can use soil) Dispose solvent contaminated plant waste properly ◦ Hazardous vs universal ◦ THC level and transport Recover stalks and stems for industrial fiber applications 18 Best Practices for Other Waste Streams Packaging waste=Most not recyclable Spent Solvents=Hazardous Waste Electronics and batteries=E-waste Mercury-containing lighting and ballasts disposed of properly Soil waste- regenerative is best! Coco is already a reuse product NEW FREE Online Environmental Data Tracking Tool for the Cannabis Industry Track, trend, benchmark environmental related data in a secure way among their industry peers. Help identify industry specific best management practices associated with increased profit margins and simultaneous environmental benefits. Empower cannabis businesses to set efficiency related data goals and track progress. (ROI on sustainability projects) cannabisbigdata.co/blooming-benchmark/ Project Managed by Kaitlin Urso, CO SBEAP Questions? Kaitlin Urso [email protected] 303-692-3175 www.linkedin.com/in/kurso www.colorado.gov/cdphe/greencannabis 21.
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