How recyclable cold brew coffee cans contribute to a circular economy
Global coffee production can generate over 23 million tons of waste each year, according to the National Coffee Organisation’s (NCO) 2023 Coffee Development Report. This includes the pulp from fresh coffee cherries to the packaging of the final product, whether it’s roasted whole beans or cold brew.
That said, increased focus is being placed on improving sustainable practices throughout the coffee value chain. For instance, eco-friendly packaging options have become more accessible. Recyclable cold brew coffee cans, for example, are one packaging format that may contribute to a “circular economy”.
But how exactly?
Read on as two industry leaders share their thoughts.
Aluminium and its role in a circular economy
Essentially, a circular economy is designed to move away from a linear “take-make-waste” system by encouraging people to reuse and recycle materials. This can prolong the lifespan of materials instead of allowing consumers to dispose of them after minimal use.
Aluminium is perfectly suited to a circular economy. Around 75% of the world’s beverage cans are made from this infinitely recyclable material, while the remaining quarter comprises tin-coated steel. The aluminium used to make drinking cans is often mixed with manganese and magnesium to improve its strength. Additionally, this combination of the elements ensures that the cans deform rather than fracture when placed under pressure.
Novelis South America is a global leader in aluminium rolling and recycling. In an article for Circular Movement, the Director of Communication and Government Relations, Eunice Lima, was quoted:
“Since its creation, the aluminium can was designed to circulate [and] to be recycled. When recycled, [it] reduces electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 95%.”
The same article reveals that in 2022, Brazil became the only country in the world to recycle almost 100% of aluminium beverage cans.
According to Forbes, “aluminium recycling is a true closed loop”. However, it’s important to note that as aluminium is mined, sourcing it is complicated, costly, and energy-intensive. Furthermore, the process involves mining bauxite ore, which can pollute local waterways.
Despite this, aluminium cans still rank highly in terms of sustainability. They have a higher recycling rate and contain 73% more recycled content than glass and plastic bottles.
Why are so many brands investing in recyclable cold brew coffee cans?
According to an article on Perfect Daily Grind, a Japanese company called UCC created “the first commercially successful canned coffee”. In fact, canned products were the preferred way of consuming coffee for the majority of the Japanese working population during the late 20th century.
Recyclable cold brew coffee cans are convenient for consumers with a grab-and-go lifestyle. For businesses, they’re lightweight, stackable, and strong, allowing brands to package and transport more beverages using less material.
West Berkshire Roastery is a family-run business where all the coffee is roasted to order. While the brand doesn’t offer cold brew, it chose to use aluminium cans for its “Signature Gold” roasted coffee.
The brand’s marketing manager, Mike Kinder, told MTPak Coffee that their “coffee cans are suitable for recycling via the local council kerbside collection. And, as our cans are infinitely recyclable, this reduces their impact on the environment. We also found that we could fully customise the tins in lower order quantities, allowing more flexibility in our roastery.”
Another benefit to recyclable cold brew coffee cans is that they can be completely customised with a seamless design. In an episode of the People of Packaging podcast, can printing expert and the Director of Graphics at Crown Holdings, Inc., Paul Fennessy, explains how cans are customised.
“When we put ink on metal, we are automatically fighting the metal substrate and the metal shining through,” he says. He highlights that digital printing allows for better resolution and more detailed printing on recyclable cold brew coffee cans.
How are recyclable cold brew coffee cans customised?
In order to customise recyclable cold brew coffee cans, Paul explains that the artwork must be divided into “spot colours” and then separated onto plates. Each plate represents a colour. The cans are then customised using a dry offset printing process, where a blanket transfers the ink from the plates to the cans as they rotate.
While digital printing may produce higher-quality images, the process is unable to keep up with conventional printing.
“Current digital printers can only print at a maximum speed of 500 cans per minute, compared to the 2200 cans per minute achieved with conventional printing,” Paul explained in the podcast.
He adds that this speed difference can cause bottlenecks in the production process, making digital printing less cost-effective for larger volumes.
Understanding local and regional preferences is key to success in the RTD cold coffee market. These preferences can influence not only the variety of coffee on offer but also the look of the cans themselves.
At Cold Brew Pak, we understand that finding a balance between design and functionality can be crucial. This is why we work directly with our clients to create custom cold brew packaging that appeals to their target audience.
We offer a range of recyclable cold brew coffee cans made from 100% recyclable aluminium that will shield your product from light and oxygen. Alternatively, our line of clear cans is made from food-grade 100% plastic PET and is designed to your drink’s vibrant colours and textures.
Our recyclable cold brew coffee cans are available in a variety of sizes to suit your offerings.
Reach out for more information.
