How providing a compostable coffee bag benefits roasters

Key takeaways

• Choosing a compostable coffee bag enhances a roaster’s sustainability credentials and brand identity.
• These bags are made from organic materials that decompose naturally under the correct conditions.
• Roasters need to educate consumers to ensure their compostable coffee bag is disposed of correctly.
• You can also customise compostable coffee bags to include logos and branding without compromising on sustainability.

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As sustainability becomes a central concern for consumers, coffee roasters are exploring solutions across the supply chain. Often, choosing eco-friendly packaging solutions is a simple, cost-effective way to minimise your environmental footprint. Using a compostable coffee bag not only aligns with eco-friendly values but also offers branding and customisation opportunities.

Compostable coffee bags are made from materials that naturally break down in composting streams, either domestically or industrially. This limits the amount of packaging that ends up in landfills, which benefits both your customers and your environmental credentials.

To better understand the benefits of offering a compostable coffee bag, I spoke with Peter Romain. He is the owner of Boréal Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster based in Geneva, Switzerland. Read on to discover how compostable bags fit into circular economy principles, the customisation advantages, and the disposal challenges.

Why should roasters offer a compostable coffee bag?

In the specialty coffee industry and beyond, the landscape is increasingly shifting towards sustainable packaging. Up to 78% of consumers value sustainability as a key principle, with 43% making purchasing choices based on the packaging’s environmental impact.

As such, it’s no surprise that a compostable coffee bag is a more enticing choice of packaging than ever. These bags are made from organic materials, which microorganisms in composting streams can break down under the correct conditions.

This helps to reduce a large portion of plastic pollution by driving it away from landfills. The decomposition time of organic waste in industrial composting facilities can be as little as three months. Otherwise, regular plastic in landfills can take up to 500 years to decompose.

“We have compostable flat bottom coffee bags for our 250g bags and a recyclable version for the 1kg bags,” Peter tells me. “This decision was made because of shelf life reasons. The 1kg bags usually need a longer shelf life and therefore need to be more durable.

“Our goal has always been to deliver the best possible coffee experience to our customers in the most environmentally friendly way possible,” he continues. “After having researched many options, we chose the compostable flat bottom coffee bags because they seem to be the best compromise between durability and sustainability.”

Offering compostable packaging allows roasters to align their brand with environmental responsibility, appealing to eco-conscious consumers, and differentiating themselves in a competitive market.

Is it difficult to dispose of a compostable coffee bag?

The primary concern with compostable coffee bags is the correct disposal methods. Many consumers struggle to differentiate between compostable, recyclable, and biodegradable packaging. This confusion can lead to improper disposal and reduced environmental benefits.

“The packaging practices of a roaster are one thing, but the reality of customers’ behaviour is another,” Peter adds. “Even with the best intentions in regards to the material, if customers don’t know how to properly dispose of them, it still creates waste that’s not treated correctly.”

Accessibility to disposal infrastructure is the main factor limiting composting. In the USA, only 3% of the country has easy access to industrial composting facilities capable of processing compostable coffee bags. Without more of these facilities in place, the ease of composting coffee bags is limited.

Educating consumers on proper disposal methods and the benefits of compostable packaging is just as important. Ensuring that your customers know how to dispose of the bag and how it’s different from traditional recycling can improve composting rates and environmental outcomes.

Implementing standardised labelling and providing clear instructions on the packaging can aid consumers in correctly disposing of compostable bags. “We mainly aim to improve our communication in regards to the disposal of our bags and that they are, in fact, compostable,” he says. “We want to give clearer instructions about that and hope that our customers will follow the guidelines.”

The customisation and sustainability benefits of a compostable coffee bag

Choosing to customise your compostable coffee bag provides roasters with an opportunity to stand out in a crowded market. Simultaneously, you can convey your commitment to sustainability and quality, without sacrificing premium design.

“Generally, the feedback about our packaging has been positive,” Peter says. “People love the design and how our brand stands out with its bright pink visual identity.”

Unique and sustainable packaging can enhance consumer engagement and loyalty, as it reflects the roaster’s values and attention to environmental concerns. From the very first impression on a retail shelf, every detail counts. Having striking designs alongside sustainable materials appeals to two consumer values: visual appeal and sustainability.

These sustainability benefits are just as important as your visual design and branding. Compostable coffee bags provide a pathway to meet demand for sustainability, reduce environmental impact, and enhance brand identity through customisation.

This extends beyond the disposal method, too. A 2023 study found that compostable packaging requires less energy during production than traditional plastics. Therefore, you can minimise your environmental footprint in all stages of the packaging process.

While compostable bags offer ecological advantages, Peter emphasises the importance of combining them with our circular economy principles. “We’re looking into ways to reduce packaging waste overall,” he says. “One idea we’re excited about is introducing a refill system with reusable containers or buckets. Customers would then purchase loose beans at our shops by weight.

“It’s a small change that could have a big impact and a step toward a more sustainable and circular approach we’re eager to develop together with our community.”

In conclusion, choosing a compostable coffee bag contributes significantly to a roaster’s sustainability goals. These solutions allow roasters to deliver premium coffee and distinct branding and design while limiting the amount of single-use packaging waste that ends up in landfills, contributing to pollution.

MTPak Coffee provides a range of compostable packaging solutions that align with your goals, supporting roasters in their sustainability journey. Made from materials such as wood pulp and plant starches, they provide an innovative alternative to traditional plastic packaging that is home or industrially compostable.

You can also add degassing valves and zippers to extend the shelf life of your coffee, retaining its flavour and aroma characteristics. By choosing compostable solutions, you can adhere to circular economy principles that support the environment and enhance your reputation as an eco-friendly roaster.

Contact the MTPak Coffee team today to get a quote on our compostable coffee bags.

FAQ

What is a compostable coffee bag made from?

Compostable coffee bags are usually made from organic materials such as wood pulp and bagasse. They are designed to break down naturally under the appropriate conditions.

Can compostable coffee bags be composted at home?

Yes, but you may need to check with your packaging supplier that the bags are domestically compostable. MTPak Coffee’s Compostable 360 range, for example, can be home or industrially compostable.

How long does it take for a compostable coffee bag to break down?

In industrial composting conditions, it can take as little as 90 days for a compostable coffee bag to decompose. However, the environmental conditions and materials chosen mean this can vary.