What is the most sustainable packaging for green coffee?

Global coffee consumption has nearly doubled in the last three decades and is expected to increase by almost 5% over the next four years. A recent study estimates we’ll need 25% more coffee by 2030 to sustain this demand.

This rise in consumption has significantly increased the volume of single-use green coffee packaging waste, which poses serious environmental and health risks. In response, the coffee industry is prioritising sustainable packaging for green coffee that protects against oxygen, moisture, temperature fluctuations, and pests.

I spoke to Brian Kenny, Owner of Silverskin Coffee Roasters, and Pedro Manga, Prosperity Leader at Caravela Coffee, to explore the types of sustainable packaging for green coffee and how they compare in terms of sustainability and barrier protection.

What are the most common types of green coffee bags?

There are various types of green coffee packaging, including jute and burlap sacks, hermetic liners, and sample bags. It’s helpful to understand what each is used for and how they differ.

Firstly: jute and burlap bags are the most traditional, affordable, and sustainable packaging for green coffee.

“Both natural fibers are biodegradable and have traditionally been used to transport coffee,” says Brian. “They are ideal in terms of strength and flexibility and are also easy to mark and distinguish their contents.”

However, these materials are very permeable, offering little protection during transit or storage. To address this, Brian says many roasters add hermetic liners inside natural fiber bags.

“Hermetic liners are airtight bags inside the jute coffee bags, which prevents oxygen and moisture from getting to the coffee stored in them,” he says. “Multilayer technology is used to modify the environment and restrict gas exchange with the outside atmosphere.”

Green coffee sample bags are also becoming more popular among producers and roasters. Producers or exporters will typically send roasters small samples so they can evaluate whether the lot meets their quality standards.

“When assessing these samples, it is imperative that they are shipped in hermetic packaging to give sellers and buyers the best experience with the coffee,” adds Brian.

Comparing sustainable packaging for green coffee

Sustainability and waste reduction have become focal points in the specialty coffee industry, especially regarding packaging. Pedro says sustainable packaging for green coffee is critical for minimizing the supply chain’s environmental impact.

“Choosing packaging responsibly can help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the overall carbon footprint of operations,” he adds. 

“Hessian cloth (also known as jute or burlap) is strong and reusable, yet an environmentally friendly and biodegradable product,” Brian says. “Alone, they allow airflow, which can lead to moisture absorption and degradation.”

More distributors and roasters are using plastic hermetic liners inside natural bags. Unfortunately, these liners are often made from non-renewable fossil fuels and require energy-intensive production processes.

Traditional multibarrier liners typically consist of multiple layers of different plastics, and Pedro says this also makes recycling more challenging. Therefore, the packaging often ends up in landfills and waterways, taking centuries to break down and releasing microplastics and harmful chemicals into the surrounding ecosystem.

This disconnect between traditional packaging and rising consumer expectations for sustainability has led to more sustainable packaging for green coffee.

“Some suppliers now offer combinations of materials that reduce carbon emissions during production, enable reuse, and mitigate end-of-life environmental impacts through improved recycling processes,” Pedro says.

For example, hermetic bags made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) have a smaller carbon footprint than traditional multilayered packaging and are 100% recyclable.

“Furthermore, the improved recyclability of LDPE materials can contribute to better recycling rates and reduced emissions during the recycling process itself,” he adds.

Brian adds that pairing natural fiber green coffee bags with sustainable hermetic liners can help balance coffee preservation with eco-friendliness. 

Beyond the packaging material itself, Pedro advises roasters and suppliers to evaluate packaging providers based on factors like raw material sourcing, manufacturing energy usage, proximity to your operation, and end-of-life solutions, like recyclability or take-back programs.

The importance of using high-quality green coffee packaging

Green coffee travels thousands of miles by cargo ship to reach destination countries. This trip can take several weeks or even months due to recent shipping delays.

Additionally, green coffee is sensitive to moisture, oxygen, sunlight, and temperature fluctuations. Delays during transit and storage can put the coffee at an even greater risk of spoilage or contamination if the coffee isn’t packaged correctly.

“Finding the right packaging to preserve green coffee quality and ensure sustainability is essential for the coffee industry,” Brian emphasises.

Hermetic bags made from multiple layers of high-barrier LDPE are the best option for protecting coffee during transit and storage and extending its shelf life. It also helps that LDPE is considered one of the most sustainable packaging for green coffee.

“We at Silverskin Coffee have found particularly that anaerobic or fermented coffees are susceptible to aging quicker due to their heavy processing, so these liners are crucial for higher-end, more expensive coffees,” says Brian.

Research even shows that hermetic bags can preserve green coffee’s freshness and quality for up to a year. 

“These liners provide superior protection against external factors that could compromise bean quality,” says Pedro. “The film provides puncture resistance, a moisture barrier, thermal resistance, and the pigment provides protection against ultraviolet light.”

Brian adds that sample bags can impact green coffee’s quality and shelf life, making hermetic bags a favourable option. 

At MTPak, we offer our PureLock range: sustainable packaging for green coffee made from multiple layers of recyclable materials, such as high-strength polyethylene (PE). This preserves coffee’s freshness, quality, and aromas for up to a year without the need for pesticides or insecticides.

The PureLock range has resealable zippers and can be reused up to three times, helping reduce plastic waste. They also come in various sizes, including sample bags (100kg), hermetic storage bags and liners (30kg and 60kg), and jute bags (70kg).

Interested in learning more about PureLock? Get in touch with our team here.