STiR coffee and tea magazine

38 STiR coffee and tea | 2024 Issue 5 (October / November) Eco-conscious consumers have grown increasingly con- cerned about the environmental impact of single-serve coffee packaging. A study published in Packaging Technology and Science in 2021 estimates that the annual global footprint from coffee capsule waste is around 576,000 metric tons. "There are some brands coming out that are trying to cre- ate a better product in a less environmentally destructive way, but additionally in a more flavorful way," says Harmer Hasho. "One of the obstacles here is that those machines have patented technologies. You can only buy your coffee from the owners of the technologies or big companies that license that technol- ogy, so you can use those machines. Some of the patents on the technology have fallen off, specifically Nespresso and K-Cups. And, so in response, they've come out with new machines that have new technologies that need patents." Industry Response to Sustainability Concerns Industry leaders have taken notice and introduced sustainable packaging options to mitigate their environmental footprint. Here are a few companies leading the charge: Keurig Dr Pepper: Well-known for its popular Keurig K-Cup pods, the company has introduced compostable, aluminum, and plastic-free K-Rounds in response to environmental concerns. Nespresso: Renowned for its sleek machines and aluminum capsules, Nespresso offers a free capsule recycling program to promote sustainability. Tayst Coffee: Tayst Coffee's compostable pods made from plant-based materials exemplify their commitment to minimiz- ing environmental impact without compromising a quality cof- fee experience. PῧrPod100: Offering biodegradable paper coffee pods, PῧrPod100 provides another eco-friendly option in the single- serve coffee market. Starbucks: Starbucks partners with Nespresso and Keurig to offer aluminum capsules and plastic pods for their single- serve coffee options. Starbucks aims to have 100% recyclable packaging by 2025. Lavazza: Lavazza provides compostable pods for their sin- gle-serve coffee options, helping to reduce their environmental footprint. Cometeer: A smaller company, Cometeer offers flash-fro- zen coffee capsules encased in an all-aluminum pod. Because the capsules don't contain any grounds, they are fully recyclable. Plus, 100% of the spent grounds are sent to a local composting company, so there is no food waste. Cameron's Coffee: Another smaller company, Cameron's Coffee offers, eco-friendly single-serve coffee pods compatible with Keurig machines. Their pods are made from compostable materials. What makes single-serve options difficult is that the coffee must be retailed and distributed in a shelf-stable way, which re- quires significant pasteurization. "Pasteurization, in most cas- es," says Harmer Hasho, "ruins the majority of the more deli- cate parts of the flavor profile." "There's been a rebirth of the really delicious stuff," says Harmer Hasho, with regenerative farming practices that pro- duce a better bean without chemical help. "Regenerative farm- ing creates soil conditions that produce a crop that's actually flavorful. And so, you don't need to do a dark roast or add milk or sugar or anything because the inherent product is delicious. Just like coffee was prior to all of the terrible agricultural tech- niques that happened in the mid-last century." In general, the current struggle and the current focus are on innovation. "We're not there yet," says Harmer Hasho. A lot of companies have made great strides toward it. "Over the last five or ten years, instant went from a product that even at its best was intolerable to a product that now is not at the level of a re- ally great cup of pour-over, but it's pretty delicious." The process is cost-constrained. Single-serve and specialty are slightly more expensive. But consumers seem willing to pay a bit more for both, especially when quality is present, the im- pact on the environment is lessened, and small-holder farmers are paid equitably. Future Outlook As consumers continue to prioritize convenience and sustain- ability, single-serve coffee packaging companies must innovate to meet evolving expectations. Progress has been made in de- veloping eco-friendly options, but more must be done to reduce the environmental impact of single-serve coffee packaging. By embracing the changing landscape and addressing en- vironmental concerns, single-serve coffee companies can con- tinue to provide consumers with a convenient coffee experience without compromising the health of our planet. Single-serve capsule machines have replaced the standard drip coffee maker in many homes and offices. Photo courtesy Studio 74

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