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Ever since our founding in 2013, Garden Remedies has been proudly leading the local cannabis industry in environmental practices.
We understand that cannabis cultivation can take a heavy toll on the environment, demanding natural resources such as water, soil, and energy in abundance. Acknowledging the risks associated with resource reliance – while doing everything we can to mitigate these risks and make a positive environmental impact – has been our focus for more than a decade.
Our values, “Together for Tomorrow,” naturally inspire Massachusetts climate action. As we share our recent advancements toward sustainability, and look to the future of Garden Remedies, we hope you’ll join us.
With recreational and medical dispensaries in Newton, Melrose, and Marlborough, MA, Garden Remedies is your go-to source for the greenest green in Massachusetts.
Fresh Update: New LED Lights Boost Sustainability at Garden Remedies Facility
Thanks especially to the leadership of Samantha Woodman, we’ve made many large strides toward sustainability in recent years.
After completing our emissions inventory with Climate Smart in 2022, we recognized that our largest source of emissions was electricity consumption in Fitchburg. Therefore, in 2023, we set out to implement LED fixtures in order to reduce emissions.
By the end of 2023, we had successfully transitioned from high-pressure sodium (HPS) fixtures to LED lighting at the Fitchburg Cultivation and Manufacturing Facility. LED lights avoid hazardous chemicals and offer top-notch energy efficiency, making them the best choice for clean and green, green.[1]
The new fixtures are used directly in our grow rooms. Playing an instrumental role in the process that gives you our high-quality flower, these LED lights mimic natural sunlight – but with much more control and efficiency. They also generate less heat, ultimately reducing the need for additional cooling and creating a safer working environment for our team.
These are huge wins! As we continue to do our part for Massachusetts climate action, we will optimize our temperature control systems to further increase our energy efficiency.
“Our next goal is to conduct a comprehensive energy audit to ensure we are maximizing efficiency and savings while identifying new opportunities for energy reduction projects.”
– Samantha Woodman, Manager of Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs
Recent Waste Innovations Contribute to Massachusetts Climate Action
Our December 2024 Waste Audit revealed other exciting steps toward enhanced sustainability at Garden Remedies.
Waste audits come from analyzing the waste generated by an organization. They identify patterns and improve waste management while uncovering unsee or undervalued opportunities to reduce, reuse, and recycle.[2] Since they are critical for minimizing environmental impact, lowering operational costs, and driving sustainable practices, waste audits are conducted regularly – and we’re thrilled to share our latest one with you.
Thanks to the work of seven volunteer team members (who collaborated across departments), the December 2024 Waste Audit showed significant success. Our total waste continues to decline, aligning with our goal of fewer garbage pick-ups and cost savings. This reduction in pick-ups has also resulted in less emissions produced by transportation.
In 2025, we are now exploring options to cut back on recycling pick-ups to further improve our cost efficiency and our contribution to Massachusetts climate action. As we refine various waste diversion practices, we will continue conducting in-person training sessions with our Fitchburg departments this quarter to continuously update everyone about what can be recycled, composed, or disposed of.
Properly sorting waste, along with similar initiatives, have impacts beyond sustainability, including compliance benefits and cost savings. Naturally, the sustainability resulting from our choices makes us proudest.
Comprehensive Insights to Make Us Even More Climate Smart
Our annual Climate Smart inventories prompted the recent waste initiatives, as well as the introduction of LED lights at the Fitchburg Cultivation and Manufacturing Facility. As we contribute to Massachusetts climate action, these inventories are one of our guiding lights (pun intended!). They show us our successes – as well as areas where there are still improvements to be made.
Emissions data, measured in tons of carbon dioxide, is divided into three categories: direct emissions from fuel burned (Scope 1), indirect emissions from purchased energy (Scope 2), and other indirect emissions (Scope 3).
| Scope | Baseline 2020 tCO2 | 2022 tCO2 | 2023 tCO2 | 2024 tCO2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 371.25 | 740.26 | 958.56 | 1258.3 |
| Scope 2 | 2435.84 | 3958.17 | 4121.8 | 3406.12 |
| Scope 3 | 473.2 | 470.78 | 168.08 | 151.57 |
As you can see, from 2023 to 2024, Garden Remedies most successfully reduced Scope 2 emissions. Indirect emissions categorized as purchased energy dropped from 4121.8 tCO2 in 2023 to 3406.12 tCO2 in 2024. This was a result of the completed and successful implementation of the LED retrofit.
We also saw a slight reduction in Scope 3 emissions as well. Efficient waste management and expanded composting have been key factors in the successful reduction of our Scope 3 emissions. It is important to know we did have an increase in Scope 1 emissions which include heat usage for the building. This was an expected increase because the LEDs produce less heat than HPS fixtures, so we have had to supplement the heat needed for our flowering green goods.
With minimal data gaps in Scope 3 emissions, since measuring every purchase and shipment is difficult, our annual Climate Smart inventory gives us enormously helpful insights into the ongoing results of our efforts for Massachusetts climate action. We share them with you for the sake of transparency and progress.
How You Can Support Massachusetts Climate Action with Garden Remedies
Why else do we share all of this information with you?
Well, we hope you’ll be inspired to get involved with our efforts toward sustainability – and soon! There are many ways to do your part for Massachusetts climate action with Garden Remedies, including:
- After you enjoy your cannabis products, bring the pre-roll, flower, vape and edible packaging to your local Garden Remedies dispensary.
At all three of our recreational and medical dispensaries, we’ll properly sort and recycle the packaging for you. Or you can do it yourself at home, according to these recycling guidelines. - Choose to email – not print – your receipt.
Emailed receipts are now a primary option for all customers at all of our retail locations, since they help us reduce our overall waste. One of our Cannabis Advisors will ask you if you’d like to have your receipt emailed or printed at the end of your transaction. - Attend one of our monthly community clean-ups to make a hands-on (and very fun) impact!
These clean-ups directly mitigate environmental damage. They’re also a unique and uplifting way to connect with the Garden Remedies community. Keep an eye on our Instagram page to find out about our upcoming clean-ups and other meet-ups.
If you’re part of another Massachusetts cannabis company, and are interested in learning more about implementing your own sustainability practices and advocating for changes to CCC regulations and incentivize more sustainable practices please reach out directly to Samantha Woodman at swoodman@gardenremedies.com.
For more than ten years, care for patients and the planet has been at the heart of Garden Remedies, motivating everything we do – from data collection to the implementation of eco-friendly devices, initiatives, and collaborative groups. None of these changes is possible without the ongoing involvement of you, our supportive community. Thank you.
We’d love to see you at our dispensaries in Newton, Melrose, and Marlborough, MA – or order your cannabis products online! Either way, we look forward to continuing our shared efforts for sustainability and Massachusetts climate action, together.
[1] https://oeo.com/blog/how-safe-are-high-pressure-sodium-lamps-compared-to-led/
As a freelance writer, Emma McTague runs a marketing agency for spiritual & eco-friendly businesses. She is also the Managing Director of As We Wake, a non-profit & psychedelic church based in San Diego, where she lives in community by the beach. She is wildly passionate about plants.
