Wandering bear customised cold brew box

How to make your customised cold brew box eco-friendly

At-home cold brew consumption is on the rise, and customised cold brew boxes help coffee businesses meet new demand. By offering shoppers the ability to recreate the café experience in the comfort of their own homes, coffee brands are likely to win new business and bolster their revenue streams.

Just as coffee capsules help home-brewed espresso better match the quality of a coffee shop beverage, customised cold brew boxes make high-quality cold brew similarly more accessible. 

As consumer expectations around coffee quality and sustainability only increase, flexible, recyclable and compostable home coffee solutions satisfy multiple macro consumer trends emphasising environmentally friendliness and specialty-grade quality. 

We spoke to Paja Sanchez, marketing VP at ARM Enterprises, the manufacturer of the Vinci Express 2 cold brew coffee maker, to learn more. 

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How is at-home cold brew consumption developing?

Two out of every three Americans make coffee at home every day, and 89% make it at home at least once per week – just 4% never do. 

Prior to the widespread appearance of branded coffee shop chains and coffee shops, at-home coffee preparation was the norm. Indeed, despite the almost universal access to out-of-home coffee options today, these habits have remained largely unchanged. 

In fact, reports show that since January 2020, at-home consumption has actually increased, catalysed by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. But, while shops reopened, many consumers continued their newfound habits. 

People prepare and drink coffee at home for myriad reasons. For many, coffee is a morning ritual to be completed before leaving for work, and modern innovations like Nespresso-compatible machines and customised cold brew boxes mean there is little or no quality sacrifice.

It’s also cheaper, perceived as more sustainable, and more convenient. 

“The at-home cold brew trend is showing remarkable growth along with at-home coffee consumption in general,” says Paja. 

“With people exploring specialty coffee experiences at home, cold brew has become a preferred choice for many for its smooth taste and versatility. Additionally, consumers are seeking more affordable and convenient options to replace frequent coffee shop visits.

“In recent years, there has been a boom in coffee culture from influencers to home baristas, and cold brew is becoming a staple in this movement. Folks love the ability to slow down and enjoy the process of creating their own delicious cold brew recipes just the way they like them.

“We’re excited to be a part of this trend and provide a convenient and innovative solution for at-home cold brewing.”

pouring cold brew with Vinci

How can people make cold brew at home?

Various innovations have made the process of home brewing cold brew more accessible. From specifically engineered equipment and machinery to simple customised cold brew boxes, these products help consumers recreate that cherished coffee shop experience and quality. 

Without the aid of modern technology or ready-to-drink cold brew solutions, making cold brew is a time-intensive process, often up to 24 hours, a challenge for home brewers and coffee businesses alike. Luckily, there are ways around it. Customised cold brew boxes, for example, dispense cold brew on-demand, while the Vinci Express 2 speeds up the brewing process dramatically.

“The Vinci Express 2 is an innovative device that revolutionises the cold brew process,” Paja says. 

“Using a patented Circle Flow technology, the machine rapidly and continuously circulates water through coffee grounds, maximising extraction efficiency and delivering rich, full-bodied flavour in just minutes.

“Its electric operation removes the long wait of traditional cold brewing methods, making the process faster and more consistent without compromising taste.”

Some coffee businesses have developed coffee blends designed specifically for cold brewing in machines such as the Vinci Express 2. In contrast, others have developed custom cold brew boxes for convenient at-home direct cold brew dispensing. 

“As the coffee industry innovates with new cold brew variations – think nitro taps, unique flavour infusions, and ready-to-drink offerings – the cold brew segment will likely attract even more attention. Cold brew is increasingly accessible to home brewers,” says Paja.

Cold brew latte and cold brew jug

Customised cold brew boxes appeal on multiple levels

While some consumers value the ritual of preparation, others are more convenience-led and want a quick and easy caffeine fix. Customised cold brew boxes are ideal for such individuals. 

Comprised of two key elements – an outer kraft paper corrugated cardboard box and an internal aseptic plastic pouch – bag-in-box cold brew coffee is lightweight, sustainable, easy to use, and endlessly customisable. 

For coffee roasters looking to retail cold brew for at-home consumption, custom cold brew boxes are, largely by definition, eco-friendly, especially when sourced from a packaging manufacturing partner that uses sustainable materials. 

Make sure that the outer box is made from kraft paper and corrugated cardboard for maximum compostability. These materials are easy for consumers to recycle once the product has been consumed and, from a business perspective, are logistically efficient. They pack neatly and protect the cold brew against bumps, knocks, and sunlight exposure. 

Likewise, ensure the internal bag that houses the cold brew is sustainable. Materials like low-density polyethene (LDPE) and polylactic acid (PLA) enhance the packaging’s biodegradable qualities. Once separated from the cardboard box, consumers can recycle both units properly. 

Bag-in-box cold brew packaging is an ideal branding canvas. It boasts large square sides that are immensely customisable and should be leveraged to illustrate eye-catching aesthetics, compelling brand stories, and sustainability credentials. This approach will improve consumer appeal and help your products stand out on busy shelves. 

“Brewing cold brew at home is a more sustainable option,” says Paja. 

“It reduces reliance on single-use bottles, disposable coffee cups, and frequent trips to the coffee shop. This not only helps the environment but also caters to those seeking more eco-friendly habits.”

With customised cold brew boxes, you are offering consumers a product that is rapidly growing in popularity, sustainably packaged, and easy to recycle—a truly winning formula in today’s environmentally focused world. 

To source your own line of customised cold brew boxes, visit Cold Brew Pak’s website. We offer a wide range of sustainable cold brew packaging options, from bag-in-box to flexible cold brew pouches, BPA-free plastic bottles, and aluminium cans. 

Contact our team directly to get started, and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest packaging developments. 

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Customised cold brew boxes

About the author

Matt has a over decade of experience across all corners of the coffee industry, from high street retail to corporate consulting, and has been writing and editing in the space for almost as long.