Sana Packaging's Inspiration

They say good things come in small packages. That couldn't be more true than with Oceanworks Member, Sana Packaging.

Ron Basak-Smith and James Eichner met as graduate students at the University of Colorado-Boulder. Growing out of their mutual love for the outdoors and skiing, Ron and James worked together on an idea for a class project. Their innovative concept for recycled cannabis packing won an acclaimed pitch competition judged by the legendary Hunter Lovins. Propelled by this triumph, Ron and James decided to take the concept beyond the classroom, launching Sana Packaging in May 2017.

Their initial product line utilized 100% plant-based hemp plastic, but Ron and James wanted to take their commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship even further. They set their sights on a source of recycled material that would have an even more significant environmental impact, and in June 2019, Sana Packaging launched the cannabis industry's first 100% reclaimed ocean plastic packaging solution. Sana Packaging quickly took their innovative ideas and made them reality by utilizing the readily available materials provided by Oceanworks and manufacturing their products in the U.S..

"Sana has taken a proactive step to think progressively in the growing cannabis packaging space. Using reclaimed ocean plastics not only drives a positive impact on the Ocean but greatly displays the exciting innovations taking place in the packaging industry overall." - Rob Ianelli, Founder, Oceanworks

The Process

Sana Packaging is a classic example of an innovative company committed to doing things differently.  Oceanworks was excited to join their quest to push the envelope and partnered with Sana to bring their vision to life. After delivering sample materials to their manufacturers, Sana rigorously tested the materials' viability during the molding processes.

Like most projects, it wasn't a direct path to instant success. Sana tested a number of HDPE polymers from Oceanworks' supplier network, ultimately settling on a material that both met their manufacturing requirements and satisfied their performance and color option needs. Once the final selection was made, Oceanworks met Sana's quick turn-around deadlines to meet their global launch deadline.

"Oceanworks made it possible to realize that we could be both innovative and sustainable with a measurable impact. We could not have done this so quickly without their help." - James Eichner, CEO, Sana Packaging

Timeline

Sana moved quickly through testing because their manufacturing facilities were all located in the U.S. Despite the additional requirements of making the packaging childproof, their speedy timeline wasn't slowed down and Sana still made it through all the necessary testing to launch.

The Results

Sana Packaging launched the Sana Ocean Tubes in March 2019, offering 110mm and 78mm sizes. That November, they introduced the Sana Ocean Screw-Top Lids and glass jars. The child-resistant lids are made from 100% Oceanworks Guaranteed ocean plastics.

With an impressive explosion of sales, these products helped Sana Packaging remove more than 24 tons (48,000 pounds) of plastic waste from our oceansby January 2020.

As one of the first Oceanworks Members, Sana Packaging is an inspiring leader for the packaging industry, for both the cannabis market and beyond.

About Sana Packaging

Sana Packaging Inc. designs and develops cannabis packaging for a circular economy using 100% plant-based hemp plastic, 100% reclaimed ocean plastic, and other sustainable materials. Sana Packaging is proud to be a "Made in the USA" company. For more information, visit www.sanapackaging.com