One thing coffee lovers can agree on is that there is nothing worse than a stale brew. For all coffee roasters, preserving freshness is the priority. That said, keeping roasted coffee fresh can be a challenge, particularly when you’re trying to prioritise sustainable packaging.

While sourcing suitable sustainable high-barrier coffee bags can be difficult, it’s certainly worth doing. As consumers show no sign of lowering sustainability expectations amidst cost-of-living concerns, packaging has become just as important as the coffee itself.

High-barrier coffee bags are a practical choice for several reasons. That said, many traditional forms of multilayer packaging don’t sport sustainable materials.

I spoke with Dr. Alexis Pantziaros, the CEO & co-founder of Coffeeco Upcycle, about the different materials the brand has used in its pursuit of the perfect sustainable high-barrier coffee bags.

Why does your brand need high-barrier coffee bags?

Coffee can be temperamental and incredibly delicate. The product journey from bean to cup comprises complicated steps, each playing a significant role in the coffee’s taste, aroma, and texture at the end of the line.

Roasted coffee will begin to degrade when exposed to elements such as oxygen, moisture, and light. High-barrier coffee bags are designed to protect the beans from external environmental enemies, ensuring the product reaches consumers full of its intended flavour.

But what exactly is high-barrier packaging? Essentially, it involves multiple layers of packaging materials that come together to create one strong protective seal. This combination shields the product from external factors and potential contaminants.

The packaging layers allow the coffee’s essential flavour and aroma compounds to remain intact. Without these barrier properties, the coffee would very quickly lose all of its nuances, leaving the consumer with a stale brew. This would be a major letdown for the brand, considering the mass competition in the speciality coffee market today.

Beyond preserving flavour and preventing staleness, high-barrier coffee packaging plays a major role in the overall consumer experience and can affect brand loyalty. Customers expect a fresh, flavourful bag of coffee. If, instead, they’re greeted with a stale product, they’re unlikely to make a repeat purchase.

Packaging that preserves the coffee’s flavours and freshness can enhance the customer experience and strengthen consumer connections. Investing in sustainable high-barrier coffee packaging acts as a final quality assurance check, ensuring a promise of fresh, premium coffee.

An image of a person holding an example of sustainable high-barrier coffee bags.

What to consider when investing in sustainable high-barrier coffee bags

The most important factor to consider when investing in high-barrier coffee bags is the packaging materials involved. Material composition is an enormous factor in how sustainable a product truly is. More so, the type of material used in coffee packaging significantly affects its ability to maintain freshness.

As traditional petroleum-based plastics rapidly fall out of favour, bio-based plastics have emerged as a sustainable alternative. These eco-friendly plastics originate entirely or in part from renewable biomass sources such as sugarcane and corn and from microbes such as yeast.

Some of the most common barrier layers include metallised films, aluminium foil, and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH). Importantly, EVOH is often layered with polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene. However, these materials pose environmental risks that can make them unsuitable for sustainable coffee packaging.

Therefore, to create fully sustainable coffee packaging, eco-friendly alternatives must be used. Wherever possible, brands must select packaging materials that can be disposed of in the same waste stream.

Founded in 2018 by chemical engineering students, Dr. Alexis Pantziaros and Marios Vlachogiannis, Coffeeco develops upcycled products through science-enabled waste management.

“We incorporate upcycled coffee fibres into sustainable plastic materials, which contributes to the circular economy and reduces waste,” Alexis explains. The brand’s innovative approach to sustainability is just one example of how it uses waste reduction and material upcycling to appease eco-friendly concerns.

But how important is sustainability in today’s day and age–especially with the rising cost of living?

A recent study conducted in Australia showed that 46% of consumers still prioritise sustainability when conducting their weekly shopping. The report shows that consumers also admit to becoming more savvy about detecting whether a brand is truly sustainable.

One way to get the green tick of approval upon first glance is to sport packaging that verifies the sustainability of the materials used.

Familiar labels, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), compostability certifications, and recyclable seals, lend credibility to brands wanting to showcase sustainability efforts. These certifications communicate a firm commitment to eco-friendly practices and can provide consumers who aren’t brand-aware with a sense of trust.

An image of a coffee roaster filling sustainable high-barrier coffee bags with freshly roasted coffee.

How should we dispose of high-barrier coffee bags?

Another important factor to consider is the end-of-life options for sustainable high-barrier coffee packaging. Essentially, how people dispose of packaging at the end of its life can significantly affect its overall environmental impact.

Brands should assess local recycling and composting guidelines to ensure proper handling of the materials used. Collaborating with waste management helps minimise unnecessary waste from entering landfills.

Clear instructions on packaging are essential to ensure proper disposal, whether through sustainable labels or with a customised quick response (QR) code. By making this final step straightforward, brands can help their consumer base feel empowered and aligned with their environmental mission. In turn, this promotes a circular economy and builds the connection between consumers and the business.

Brands can also use this opportunity to educate consumers on their own circular economy efforts.

As a final note, Alexis highlights that consumer education is key. “Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond the product; we also upcycle used coffee grounds to minimise waste.”

Discover how other brands are reducing organic coffee waste through upcycling. Read our interview with Artisan Roast Coffee Company and Infusion Coffee and Tea Crafters.

At MTPak Coffee, we can help you create high-barrier coffee bags that will preserve the nuances of your product while showcasing your sustainability efforts. This is why we offer 100% recyclable LDPE packaging with just two layers, compared to the three or four in many coffee bags around the world.

Our design team is available to customise the size, shape, look, and feel of your sustainable coffee bags to fit your specific business needs. Plus, we are able to custom-print coffee packaging using innovative digital printing technology, with a quick turnaround time and shipping time.