An estimated 9.1 billion single-serve coffee and drink cartridges wind up in US landfills every year. Coffee-pod machines are also increasingly popular in Britain, with usage up by 45.1% between February 2012 and 2013, equating to around 186 million capsules.
Unfortunately, single-serve coffee pods are not easily recyclable. Mixed material pods are sent to landfill and those brands that do offer a recycling service have few recycling points and limited collection service. With mounting pressure around the environmental impact of their success, the coffee industry urgently needs more sustainable packaging options.
Biome Bioplastics has developed a portfolio of compostable materials for coffee pods based on renewable, natural resources, including plant starches and tree byproducts. These bioplastics will degrade to prescribed international standards in composting environments.
“Single–serve coffee pods are an excellent example of the fundamental role that packaging plays in delivering quality and convenience in the foodservice sector,” said Biome Bioplastics CEO Paul Mines. “The challenge is to reduce environmental impact through packaging optimisation without impacting on food quality or safety, or inconveniencing the customer. Bioplastics are an important part of the solution.”
@FoodBev this really is an amazing invention! — Europarc pallets (@EuroparcP) November 5, 2013
@FoodBev this really is an amazing invention!
— Europarc pallets (@EuroparcP) November 5, 2013
.
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024