How to create a 100% sustainable cold brew box
In 2024 and beyond, sustainability will continue to be top of mind for almost every business sector, and the coffee industry is no different. Coffee consumers expect a demonstrable commitment to sustainable business practices, products, and services from the brands and businesses they support – 100% sustainable cold brew boxes do just that.
A 2020 consumer behaviour report from McKinsey & Company found that more than 60% of consumers are willing to pay more for a product with sustainable packaging, and this figure has only increased since.
As environmental concerns have grown over the past ten years especially, there has been a global and vocal commitment to reducing single-use plastics. In 2019, the European Union announced a ban on everyday disposable plastic products like straws, cotton buds, and cutlery. Today, there are charges or bans on plastic supermarket carrier bags in over 90 countries.
In the coffee world, recyclable packaging is a prime opportunity for businesses to expand their sustainability credentials while simultaneously saving costs, improving product quality, and enhancing brand recognition and reputation.
100% sustainable cold brew boxes are not just highly recyclable. They reduce product waste through optimised sealing and dispensing, slash the environmental impact of logistics and transport with efficient, compact storage formats, and offer businesses immense opportunities for customisation and branding.
Why is sustainable packaging so important, and how does it extend to cold brew?
As mentioned, sustainability is a global macro trend that is driving consumer behaviour across a range of industries.
In a recent LinkedIn post, Farjad Mansoor, managing partner at CBD Packaging Store, said: “As sustainability becomes a growing priority, governments worldwide are stepping up to guide industries toward more eco-friendly practices. In packaging, this means stricter regulations to reduce waste, promote recycling, and reduce the environmental footprint of materials.
“Key regulations include:
- Waste reduction policies encouraging smaller, more sustainable packaging
- Extended producer responsibility, where producers are responsible for the packaging lifecycle.
- Recycling targets push companies to meet ambitious goals.
- Plastic bans compelling shifts to alternatives.
- Financial incentives supporting sustainable packaging innovation.”
For the coffee industry, sustainability concerns vary according to the stage of the supply chain.
At source, the coffee industry’s sustainability efforts are focused on production. On the environmental side, these factors include deforestation, habitat destruction, and soil degradation related to coffee growing. On the socioeconomic side, unfair labour practices and compensation models and neglect of social development are of chief concern.
At the consumer-facing end of the supply chain, examples of sustainability initiatives include business practices that reduce coffee operators’ carbon footprints, offering certified or responsibly sourced coffee, and environmentally friendly packaging materials.
It is estimated that over 60 billion coffee capsules are consumed annually in the United States alone, and over 500 billion plastic coffee cups are thrown away globally. In the United Kingdom, just one out of every 400 takeaway coffee cups is properly recycled.
Since the advent of eco-conscious consumerism – popularised globally only in the last 15 years – the coffee industry has focused its efforts on sustainable alternatives to the most commonly sold or used items: plastic takeaway coffee cups, Nespresso-compatible coffee capsules, and ground coffee or whole bean coffee bags.
Since 2016, the global cold brew segment has grown by 300% – estimated to be worth over $500m today – and is expected to more than quadruple over the coming five years.
As cold brew coffee seizes more market share, environmentally friendly cold brew coffee packaging solutions – like 100% sustainable cold brew boxes – will have an increasing impact on the global coffee sector’s overall sustainability credentials.
So, with younger generations preferring convenient and ready-to-drink coffee options, like canned coffee or bag-in-box (BiB) cold brew, it is crucial that coffee brands are able to source reliable, high-quality, and sustainable packaging solutions for these products.
How does bag-in-box cold brew packaging improve sustainability credentials?
100% sustainable cold brew boxes help businesses reduce their carbon footprint and enhance their credentials as an environmentally-conscious business on several fronts:
- 100% recyclable packaging
The outer packaging is made from a combination of white or natural kraft paper and corrugated board, while the internal packaging and the screw caps and taps are made from 100% recyclable aseptic plastic. Once consumed, the user can dismantle the entire unit, separate the materials, and recycle each component according to their local regulations.
- Efficient transportation and storage
Thanks to the square, straight-edged format, transportation and storage of BiB cold brew are much more efficient than alternative packaging formats like bottles or cartons. More units can be packed and moved at once, reducing excess transportation requirements and cutting carbon emissions. Plus, the cardboard outer acts as an improved insulator, reducing temperature fluctuations and stabilising cold chain processes.
- Less waste and spoiling
Less liquid waste occurs during production in the optimised, aseptic filling process. The interior bag features a highly resilient film structure, which, when combined with the cardboard exterior, mitigates against oxidation or light exposure, both of which can contribute to spoiling and subsequent waste. The ergonomic screw caps and taps ensure more accurate dispensing, further reducing waste potential on the user end.
How to create or source a 100% sustainable cold brew box
For tips on creating your own 100% sustainable cold brew box, see the pointers below:
- Ensure your materials are recyclable.
Packaging materials for the three key components – outer box, inner bag and screw cap or dispensing tap – must be sustainable and 100% recyclable and mitigate spoiling or waste.
- Help your customers with recycling tips.
Different countries have different recycling programs and capabilities. Consumers must understand their local regulations and how to break down the BiB after use.
- Source sustainable coffee for your BiB.
Sustainability in the coffee industry relates to the entire supply chain, and choosing ethically sourced or certified coffee beans enhances the overall sustainability credentials of your 100% sustainable cold brew box.
- Find a great BiB supplier.
For over a decade, we’ve been helping coffee brands offer their customers 100% sustainable cold brew boxes. With manufacturing expertise, best-in-class sustainable materials, and highly customisable packaging options, partnering with Cold Brew Pak is an easy way to source the best BiB cold brew products available.
As mentioned, Cold Brew Pak offers a wide assortment of sustainable and recyclable packaging options for BiB cold brew, including cold brew pouches, aluminium cans, BPA-free cartons, and more.
All of our products are highly customisable and available at low minimum order quantities (MOQs), competitive costs, and fast turnaround times. We work with clients worldwide and ship internationally.
For more information, visit our website or get in touch with us directly.
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100% sustainable cold brew box
