Why is environmentally friendly packaging for cold brew coffee so important?
Coffee companies looking to retail RTD cold brew coffee should seek out environmentally friendly packaging options such as aluminium cans, BPA-free bottles, flexible cold brew pouches, and bag-in-box packaging solutions to reduce their carbon footprint, improve their sustainability credentials and better appeal to modern customers.
Younger generations, in particular, expect the brands they support to exhibit the same levels of eco-consciousness as they do, if not even more so. Environmentally friendly packaging is an optimal way for coffee companies to make a bold first impression on the shelf.
We spoke to Dhruv Lakhani, operations manager at ARAKU Coffee in Bangalore, India, to learn more about the importance of environmentally friendly packaging and sustainability for coffee products.
How do sustainability and environmental friendliness relate to the broader coffee sector?
Sustainability is top of mind of the global coffee supply chain, from fair prices and working conditions at the origin level to carbon emissions in transportation and packaging recycling programmes at the consumer end.
Specialty coffee has been instrumental in the broader push for sustainable business practices throughout the global coffee sector, highlighting the provenance of coffee beans and the stories of the farmers and workers who grow them.
“Sustainability has been a buzzword for a while now,” says Dhruv, “and unlike most passing trends in this fast-paced world, it has become a crucial component of the coffee value chain.”
“Mainly driven by younger generations with growing spending power, consumers are becoming more discerning and selective. They seek to understand how coffee is produced, who is behind the growth and processing, and what impact their purchases have on the wider environment and those producers.
“One of the bigger concerns, however, is the authenticity and depth of modern sustainability claims. Consumers who buy products which claim to be sustainable can only hope that their choice has made a positive impact. The tangible association between the product and its environmental and social impact remains unclear.”
As Dhruv points out, the modern coffee consumer base – especially the younger generations – wants to understand clearly how the companies they purchase their coffee from contribute to a fairer and more sustainable supply chain. It is the onus of the industry to make sure this messaging is as transparent as possible.
“For sustainability to be truly impactful, traceability and transparency must become standard practice. Brands need to ensure that their claims are verifiable,” Dhruv adds.
“Another important attribute will be to encourage the consumers to ask the right questions about ‘sustainable’ claims, fostering a more informed marketplace.
“While significant challenges remain, the growing interest and demand for sustainability is a step in the right direction. It is a gradual but promising movement toward a future where sustainability is not just a marketing term, but a reality throughout the coffee industry.”
Where does environmentally friendly packaging come in?
Cold coffee, as a general segment of the coffee industry, has grown in popularity over the last decade. The largest multinational retailers, such as Tim Hortons and Starbucks, are reporting record cold coffee sales, often outstripping hot coffee’s performance.
RTD coffee is benefitting from the move to chilled options, and there are already multiple ways to package it sustainably. Aluminium cans are almost infinitely recyclable and have the highest closed-loop recyclability rate of all packaging types. Bag-in-box packaging is excellent for larger volumes and multi-serve needs. It is compostable and biodegradable and mitigates the need for multiple single-serve units.
Flexible cold brew packaging and BPA-free plastic bottles that use biodegradable LDPE and PLA plastics are also available and highly customisable. If you represent a coffee brand that retails RTD coffee, all four options are worth investigating.
Environmentally friendly packaging is a superb way to make a resounding and reassuring first impression on increasingly eco-conscious customers without sacrificing perceived quality or convenience. In fact, environmentally friendly packaging for cold coffee is often more convenient than less sustainable alternatives. It is easier to store, consume, and dispose of.
We asked Dhruv if he thinks sustainability extends to packaging.
“Absolutely,” he says. “One of the most immediate and visible aspects for consumers is packaging. A brand cannot credibly promote sustainability while relying on single-use, non-recyclable packaging. Consumers are increasingly scrutinising packaging as a reflection of a brand’s true commitment to environmental responsibility.”
“Sustainability extends beyond the product itself, not just packaging, but also company practices and brand messaging. It is high time that the common ‘etc’ is defined and looked into.
“While sustainability is becoming a significant part of brand messaging and marketing, it’s essential to distinguish between genuine efforts from mere ‘greenwashing’. Consumers’ first impressions, often influenced by packaging, can shape their entire experience.”
“While we have not reached there yet, it’s intriguing to think of a future where non-sustainable products carry higher costs, akin to a tax imposed for their negative environmental impact.”
At Cold Brew Pak, we offer a range of environmentally friendly packaging that can help your cold brew products stand out from competitors. Our custom cans have a broad printable surface for complete customisation, ensuring you can effectively showcase your brand to new and existing customers.
We also offer 100% compostable and biodegradable flexible pouches for cold brew and bag-in-box packaging for larger volumes.
Contact our team to learn more about how Cold Brew Pak can help your coffee business market canned cold brew.
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Environmentally friendly packaging
*Images provided by First Cold Brew
