Although the lack of recycling programs has often proved to be a stumbling block, Canadian cannabis producer Auxly may have a free of cost solution.

Auxly recently announced its partnership with electronic waste (e-waste) recycling company Greentec to create an in-store, free of cost program for retailers for the recycling of vape pens, cartridges and batteries.

The initiative is led by Kolab Project, an Auxly brand that produces biodegradable pre-rolls, edibles, vape cartridges, and disposable pens “while championing arts, culture and design,” according to the company.

“Building on our introduction of 100 per cent biodegradable vape and pre-roll-packaging, this Kolab Project vape hardware recycling initiative furthers our efforts to improve environmental stewardship within the cannabis industry, and we look forward to working with Canada’s retail community and consumers to roll-out this program nationally,” Auxly CEO Hugo Alves said in a statement.

The program creates a solution for an ongoing problem in the industry, Superette co-founder and CEO Mimi Lam pointed out. The dispensary chain is set to be one of the program’s first participants after launching several of its own recycling initiatives, including one in which each cannabis container that was returned to the store was matched with a non-perishable food item for the Ottawa Food Bank.

Initially, the recycling bins will be available at Spiritleaf and Superette stores, as more retailers join the program in the coming months.