Upcoming Events
The High 5 Recycling Initiative Program
The Pilot Program has been successfully completed!
WOOP WOOP! Celebration Time! The High 5 Recycling Program has reached its final Goal by collecting over 500,000 containers!!!
When we created this pilot program, we set out to prove the potential of “Return to Retail” models in the cannabis community. As the origin story goes – Reaching out to the MMCC - We first asked about Reusable and Refillable models, instead we were asked to prove “Return to Retail” for Recycling first.
To prove the concept of “Return to Retail” using a Dual Stream Recycling Model, we set 3 measurable goals.
Goal #1 - Develop a path to actually recycle the single use #5 packaging. Check!
Goal #2 - Make that path available to everyone in Maryland. Check!
Goal #3 - Enable the community to recycle 500,000 single use cannabis packages. CHECK!
More than proving a concept, the success of this little community-based program has begun a ripple effect, inspiring changemaking from regulators like the Maryland Department of the Environment and Legislators and Senators from across the US!
We have also seen producers change from #5 packaging that could not be recycled without this program. In the beginning we saw 85% of the packaging not being able to be recyled and now we only get about 15% of the #5 plastic in our collections. You can recycle glass and metal containers at home. Additionally, you can refuse exit bags. Together we have made a difference!
LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE HIGH 5 RECYCLING INITIATIVE!!!
1.Every person is a part of, not separate from, the environment.
2. Pollution from Single Use Packaging is a Global Business Problem with Local Environmental Impacts.
3. Recycling is just scrapping with better marketing.
4. Recycling is just one of the solutions, not the ONLY solution.
And the biggest lesson ....
5. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE WHEN A COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER!!!
There is still more to do to get reuse through, so please reach out to your local representative and request that the Maryland Food Code be updated and that they support the EPR law.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THE HIGH 5 RECYCLING INITIATIVE A SUCCESS!!!
AND REMEMBER, REFUSE AND REUSE COME WAY BEFORE RECYCLING!!!
About Us
Our Story
The High 5 Initiative is a local 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization dedicated to the preservation of our natural environment. We believe in our collective ability as a species to not only identify but solve the biggest problems facing our planet today.
We are environmentalists and problem solvers. We are consumers and patients. We are engineers and artists. But most of all, we are stewards of Mother Nature.
We have the cleanup and recycling initiatives that focus on ways to provide paths to communities to be environmental stewards while educating them on how to do even better. We have also started water monitoring, taking test results once a month, and adopted a road.
So far we have removed 24,055 pounds of trash from rivers and riparian areas leading to the Chesapeake Bay and collected over 500,000 plastic containers at our participating collection centers that would have otherwise made it to the landfill.
Our Mission
The High 5 Initiative, Inc. is a locally based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to practicing, promoting, and enabling the conservation of nature through sustainable practices.
#TheHigh5Initiative
