Frequently Asked Questions on Cannabis Waste Removal
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What is cannabis waste?
According to Missouri law, cannabis waste is defined as excess or unusable marijuana or marijuana byproduct of a cultivation, manufacturing, dispensary, testing, or transportation facility that is non-hazardous.
This includes plant waste, such as stalks, flowers, trim, leaves, stems, extracts, spent solvents, and other laboratory wastes.
Do I need a Waste Management Plan?
Yes! All cultivation, manufacturing, dispensary, testing, and transportation facilities need a waste management plan. The waste management plan must establish and follow procedures to ensure marijuana is correctly disposed of per state law.
How often do I need to dispose of my cannabis waste?
It is recommended that cannabis waste first be secured and then appropriately rendered weekly or as soon as receptacles are full. This regularly scheduled attention to disposal prevents biosecurity risks such as mold and decreases the opportunity for other contaminants to spread.
Regularly scheduled waste disposal will also ensure that a facility complies with the rules and regulations for cannabis waste management set forth by the The Division of Cannabis Regulation (DCR).
Can I throw my cannabis waste in the trash?
No. A facility cannot legally throw cannabis waste into a standard or conventional trash receptacle. All facility waste of any type must be stored securely before final disposition. Secure storage can be done within the facility in areas designated for disposal activities or, if necessary, outside the facility in a locked, tamper-resistant receptacle.
Where can I dispose of my cannabis waste?
Marijuana product waste that has been rendered unusable must be delivered to a permitted solid waste facility for final disposition.
Any other final disposition locations are not pre-approved and must be approved in writing by the DCR before disposal.
Can I schedule individual pickups with Monarch Waste Co.?
Yes. Our cannabis waste services can be scheduled weekly, bi-monthly, or as needed. One-off emergency compliance pickups are also available.
Does cannabis waste need to be rendered before disposal?
Yes. Marijuana plant waste that does not qualify as hazardous must be rendered unusable before leaving a facility by grinding and incorporating it with other non-hazardous ground materials. The resulting mixture must be at least fifty percent (50%) of non-marijuana waste (compostable or non-compostable) by volume.
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Can I render cannabis waste unusable without shredding it?
Non-hazardous marijuana plant waste must be made unusable before leaving a facility. This involves grinding and blending the marijuana plant waste with other non-hazardous ground materials, ensuring that the mixture comprises at least 50% of non-marijuana waste by volume. Any other methods to render marijuana product waste unusable are not pre-approved and must be approved by the DCR in writing before implementation.
Does cannabis waste need to be tracked and traced?
Yes. Marijuana waste must be securely stored before final disposal. This process can occur within the facility in designated areas for disposal activities or, if necessary, outside the facility in a locked, tamper-resistant receptacle.
Facilities must keep records of the final disposal destinations of all such wastes for at least five years. After each pickup, we will provide the licensee with a signed and dated cannabis waste manifest.
What penalties can my facility face for non-compliant cannabis waste disposal?
If the DCR determines that a licensee is not in compliance with the department’s cannabis waste regulations, the department may issue a warning or an Initial Notice of Violation to the licensee that explains how the licensee has violated the department’s cannabis waste regulations and what remedial actions the department expects the licensee to take.
Once a licensee has been issued an Initial Notice of Violation, the licensee shall, within fifteen days, complete the specified remedial actions and notify the department in writing of that completion, or request additional time for remediation if necessary.
If the violations have not been cured within thirty days after a Final Notice of Violation is sent, the department may either suspend the license or fine the licensee up to an amount equal to the average daily gross receipts of the previous calendar month of the facility per day, until the corrective or remedial actions have been taken by the licensee.
Can Monarch Waste help keep my facility compliant with cannabis waste regulations?
Yes! We take pride in being Missouri's premier cannabis waste service, distinguished as the state's first and only of its kind. We are equally proud of our commitment to sustainability, convenience, and affordability. With a proven track record in catering to medical and recreational facilities in Missouri, our experienced team is well-equipped to manage a comprehensive range of waste requirements. From recalls and manufacturing waste to handling growing medium/root balls and hazardous waste, we've got you covered!
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Is my cannabis waste hazardous?
Licensee’s who produce waste (i.e., generators) must properly evaluate their waste to determine whether it is hazardous, as defined by 40 CFR 262.11. Intrinsically, cannabis flower, trim, and additional solid plant material are not hazardous waste unless treated or contaminated with a hazardous waste constituent.
When a generator's waste qualifies as hazardous, it is subject to the applicable hazardous waste management standards and must be handled by an officially licensed hazardous waste removal service.
Do I need a hazardous waste generator ID?
The volume of hazardous waste each generator produces each calendar month determines which waste disposal regulations apply to the respective generators. Recognizing that generators produce waste in different quantities, the EPA has established three categories of generators:
Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQGs)
Small Quantity Generators (SQGs)
Large Quantity Generators (LQGs)
These categories determine the specific hazardous waste removal regulations that a generator is responsible for following.