The mylar bag has become the Cannabis Industry’s most viable packaging option for many reasons. It is robust, does not compromise the quality of the product it contains, and protects the product from outside contamination.
Some organizations claim to have developed superior technologies to the mylar bag, though they are simply using new words and pretty pictures to dress up a product widely used to successfully package Cannabis. DIZPOT would like to take the opportunity to educate on why mylar is still one of the best options available for packaging Cannabis.
Mylar is an incredibly durable material and is not easily punctured. During production, mylar sheets are heated and stretched until the molecular compounds themselves are completely straight, thus greatly increasing its resistance to punctures. As an added layer of protection, mylar bags used in the food industry (and the Cannabis Industry) are coated with an extra layer of polyethylene, which further reduces the chances of pinholes, and adds a higher level of sealability to the bag.
Mylar is also excellent for humidity regulation. Temperature changes to the exterior of the bag do not alter humidity inside the bag. When sealed and stored under normal conditions, mylar bags can retain optimal humidity levels of 59 to 63% RH, which is essential in preventing mold and weight fluctuations in the product. If mold and dryness are still an issue with product stored in a mylar bag, we recommend opting for a smaller bag with less open air. The less air inside the bag, the less chance there is of humidity levels reaching undesirable levels. However, the easiest most surefire way to prevent mold is allowing the flower to dry completely before placing it in a mylar bag.
Some manufacturers argue that mylar bags are inferior because they do not offer UV protection. The short answer is that UV cannot cause damage unless products are placed in direct sunlight for an extended period. Tests between standard mylar bags and bags with UV protection have shown that the added layer of protection is insignificant because the same number of cannabinoids were lost between both bags. For those that may still be concerned about UV rays damaging their products, they need only opt for a window-less mylar bag, which eliminates the risk of UV damage completely because mylar’s molecular compound blocks UV rays.
Another common claim from mylar-dissenters is that mylar does not limit the effects of static electricity. What many do not realize is that mylar is chiefly manufactured to be used as insulators for electrical systems and is inherently resistant to static. It has also been shown that while static electricity does pull trichomes from the product, the amount is negligible. Improper handling of the product will pose a significantly higher loss of trichomes than static electricity in any instance.
It is our hope that after reading this, you experience a newfound appreciation for the humble mylar bag and the confidence of knowing it is the best option to preserve the quality of your product. It is the most common packaging solution in the Cannabis Industry for a reason, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
Article composed by Sawyer Bolger, 2/12/19