A guide to recycling bag-in-box packaging for cold brew coffee
Cold brew is one of the fastest-growing global coffee segments – the category is expected to more than quadruple in size by 2032, reaching a valuation of $16.22 bn. The key driver behind the sensational growth is its direct correlation with other key food service consumer trends, including product variety, convenience, and sustainability.
Recycling bag-in-box packaging for cold brew coffee is a simple process that helps consumers live the more environmentally friendly lifestyles they desire without added inconvenience.
Cold brew is a highly customisable product. At scale, cold brew can be produced with commercial-grade coffee and then sweetened, flavoured, or infused with nitrogen for a greater portfolio variety. Alternatively, however, it can be prepared with specialty-grade or single origin coffee beans, resulting in an artisanal beverage experience that satisfies increasingly discerning and quality-driven consumerism.
From a packaging perspective, cold brew is well suited to match convenience and sustainability trends. Businesses are already taking advantage of their ready-to-drink potential, using recyclable cans or cartons for quick and easy on-the-go consumption.
For convenient and sustainable cold brew at home, at the office, or at social occasions, recycling bag-in-box packaging is highly eco-friendly and endlessly customisable.
Recycling bag-in-box packaging – a background
BiB packaging is a fully customisable cold brew packaging solution inspired by the wine industry. These packaging formats help maintain the integrity and quality of cold brew while simultaneously making transport and storage easier.
In a February 2024 LinkedIn post, Randy Anderson, chief percolation officer at Cold Percolation, Inc., said, “BiB has incredible advantages whether as a CPG (consumer packaged goods) product or in food service.”
“Maybe one of the best things I like is the pasteurisation method of UHT. Retort is necessary when doing cans, but UHT allows for a kill step that does not affect the quality in the same way.
“With the need to economise every square inch of shelf space, a BiB with high concentrate could be just what you need to replace a half dozen 5 lb bags of coffee. For coffee-based cold drinks, you would be amazed at how this simple solution can not only save shelf space in your small drive-thru but save about 45 seconds of window time.”
In simplest terms, the cold brew liquid is housed in an opaque, airtight bag, which is then packaged in a sturdy, fully recyclable cardboard box. This format protects the cold brew from external factors, like light and oxygen, which otherwise degrade its quality over time.
The internal bag is an aseptic recyclable plastic bag with a multi-layer polymer. Each bag has a plastic-framed opening, sealed in during the manufacturing process, which allows liquids to be added during production in a safe and hygienic manner and then dispensed for consumption via a cap or tap. Easily separated, the external cardboard and internal plastic make recycling bag-in-box packaging incredibly straightforward.
Why offer bag-in-box cold brew?
Coffee roasters should consider offering BiB cold brew to their customers and consumers to capitalise on the growing demand for cold brew coffee. Cold brew is among the fastest-growing coffee consumer segments, and BiB cold brew can help roasters expand their B2C and B2B revenue streams.
Consider office coffee. In the United States alone, the office coffee market is expected to grow by over $1.2 bn by 2028, driven by a growing workforce and increased competition between businesses touting workplace perks.
Specialty coffee is among the key trends in workplace coffee, with companies continuously looking to improve their office coffee credentials to match at-home or high-street trends: a 2023 study by Nespresso found that 65% of employees expect high-quality office coffee.
Nevertheless, traditional office coffee solutions – such as self-serve bean-to-cup machines or workplace cafes – introduce added operational complexity and expense. Vended coffee solutions and espresso equipment require regular maintenance and service upkeep.
By adding BiB cold brew to their offerings alongside their existing office coffee solutions, coffee roasters can support office-based clients with small-batch specialty-grade or high-volume house blend-style cold brew, helping them offer a wider variety of beverages in a cost-effective, low-maintenance, and sustainable way.
Step-by-step guidance on recycling bag-in-box packaging for cold brew
In many cases, BiB cold brew is both sustainably produced and highly recyclable. From a production and logistics standpoint, several factors contribute to this:
- Aseptic filling processes reduce the risk of contamination and spoiling – both key contributors to product waste.
- Square cardboard packaging encourages more efficient storage and transportation processes compared with glass bottles or cartons, reducing the overall carbon footprint.
- Multi-barrier plastic and cardboard keep cold brew fresher for longer, mitigating expiry date-related product waste.
- Easily separated packaging ensures comprehensive and more accurate recycling processes.
For guidance on recycling bag-in-box packaging, see the following tips:
- Check your local recycling regulations: recycling options vary regionally, so it is vital to have a clear understanding of what you can and can’t recycle and how your local municipality collects and processes different materials.
- Separate materials if necessary: Most recycling authorities require the user to clearly separate materials into categories (e.g., plastic, cardboard, aluminium) before depositing. Ensure you separate the cardboard outer box from the internal bag before recycling.
- Remove screw caps or taps: BiB cold brew commonly comes with fitted taps or screw caps for easier dispensing. These are anit-leak and fully recyclable, so ensure you remove them before recycling.
Bag-in-box cold brew is a flexible, reliable way for coffee businesses to capitalise on one of the fastest-growing segments in the wider coffee industry. Its unique packaging structure means more efficient and cost-effective logistics, a wider customer appeal and safer, higher-quality cold brew upon dispensing. Recycling bag-in-box packaging is simple, safe, and comprehensive.
Moreover, it’s incredibly sustainable, and recycling BiB cold brew is a straightforward process. The end user must simply separate the different materials from each other – namely, the plastic inner bag and screwcaps and the outer cardboard box – and recycle them according to local regulations and procedures.
At Cold Brew Pak, sustainability is foundational to every product we produce. From our recyclable bag-in-box cold brew and cold brew pouches to BPA-free cold brew bottles and customised aluminium cans or cartons, Cold Brew Pak coffee packaging is sustainable, durable, and offers immense opportunities for customisation.
Our BiB cold brew options range in sizes, from the smallest 1-litre bag that fits easily into a small refrigerator at home to office-ready 20-litre options for the whole team. The hermetic seal on the internal bladder and ergonomic on-tap dispensing system ensures that the cold brew remains fresh throughout multiple uses. When empty, the entire unit is ready to be recycled.
Moreover, we offer industry-leading MOQs, fast turnaround times, and worldwide shipping to help get our partners to market as quickly as possible.
For coffee businesses looking to reach new customers, expand existing product portfolios, or level up their corporate social responsibility practices, visit our website or contact our team directly.
Recycling bag-in-box packaging
