RE:what about the waste?
CdnYsguy wrote: I saw a thread recently in which folks were bemoaning carbon taxation, climate change regs and there impacts on the mj business. I am an environmental policy analyst for the UK government, and naturally find these kinds of arguments extremely tiresome and ill-informed. Climate change is going to be (and already is) the biggest money making force of the 21st century - countries that resist will simply become irrelevant - investors who whine about change instead of seizing it's opportunities are simply missing out. But all that aside...
Consumers care about the environment. Weed smokers perhaps more so than average. Given the large amount of energy required to grow indoors, it is a wonder to me that Aphria has not, in addition to claiming low-cost producer status, been highlighting the low carbon footprint of its product (e.g. xgCO2e/gram). It is a now brainer, and it would cost next to nothing to get the figure third-party verified. If you can distinguish your product on the environmental credentials inherent in your existing production process, you're a fool not to - why fight with one hand tied behind your back?
If it turns out Aph can win market share on green credentials, here are a couple more things it could do, loudly and proudly:
1) Biomass heat using plant waste - I believe this is already a plan (can someone confirm and share details?) and for good reason. Weed plants are single crop rotation, so plant waste is huge and regular. Biomass is considered 'carbon neutral' so using it for fuel to heat the greenhouses would be outwith the carbon tax. Essentially, it is free fuel, produced on site in large quantities and at regular intervals.
2) On-site compost heat - composting produces tonnes of heat as well, and there are some great examples of farms in the US and elsewhere composting cattle manure to produce enough heat for their entire livestock barns. Once neutralised, the manure is an excellent growing media for crops. I am not sure if this one is as feasible- depends on the local feedstocks available and whether or not Aph can use the compost product, but it is certainly worth considering.
3) The more waste Aphria can treat on site, the less it will pay in waste management fees, so there is the potential for double savings. I am not sure how Aphria's waste is classed - is it pharmaceutical waste? - but depending on that, waste costs could be significant.
If anyone knows more about the facts on the ground, I would love to hear about it.
Great Post...
There is also this...
https://web.tmxmoney.com/article.php?newsid=7228055093119039&qm_symbol=EHT
Companies looking at going solar... EHT has technology ready to go and has a signed agreement with Georgian Bay BioMed (Have no clue who are they are).
But this may be something that could have wheels.... escpecially with the costs of power in Ontario and now potential carbon tax costs to generate so called power.
Just read this yesterday, and thought it would match up nicely with your post on alternative energy sources
FI4