Coffee brands that commit to sustainability from crop to cup are changing the market. According to a recent market study, 48% of new coffee products launched in 2020 made one or more sustainability claims based on environmental practices or social ethics. Find out how making informed decisions about managing the environmental and ethical impact of coffee and custom coffee packaging can set a sustainable coffee bean company up for success.
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Consider Environmental Impact
The methods of cultivating coffee plants can impact the environments where these crops are grown in several ways. Deforestation of rainforest ecosystems, erosion of soil due to monocrop cultivation and the accumulation of organic pollutants in waterways are all factors that coffee brands committed to sustainability should consider when sourcing coffee beans.
Coffee beans sourced from growers who use sustainable methods such as agroforestry, reuse byproducts and fertilize responsibly can mitigate the environmental impacts of coffee cultivation. Brands can consider sourcing coffee from closer locations and look for ways to offset the carbon footprint of shipping and processing coffee.
Implement Sustainable Alternatives When Possible
New coffee bean brands striving towards sustainability should prioritize this value throughout product life cycles. Stakeholders should research coffee sourcing, processing, packaging and distribution options and select the most sustainable options that are currently available at each point in the production process.
Flexible packaging made of post-consumer recycled or recyclable materials is available for coffee products. Some of the most popular package designs for coffee beans include flexible center seal and V-fold packaging. Tubular stick packaging can be suitable for powdered instant coffee products intended for single use or travel. Flexible packages can be made out of recyclable films such as polyethylene or Mylar and can incorporate PCR materials to limit virgin material use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Educate Customers About Sourcing
Brands bringing coffee beans to market should look for ways to stand out on shelves and in online retail categories that are increasingly crowded with sustainable brands. Use digital printing to create eye-catching custom designs that state a brand’s commitment to sustainability directly on packaging. Smart packaging features, such as Quick Response codes, can direct customers to a company website to learn more about business practices.
Stylish and informative packaging can do a lot to sell a product, but the freshness of the coffee beans inside each package is even more important for consumer satisfaction. Brands should consider the most sustainable films for valve coffee bags that release carbon dioxide from pouches without admitting any oxygen that can cause contents to oxidize. This feature preserves the fresh flavors of coffee beans and extends product shelf life.
Sustainable coffee is a commitment that starts with the environmental and social conditions under which beans are cultivated and harvested and continues through shipping, processing and packaging to distribution, sale and storage. New coffee bean brands should prioritize research and quality control to back up sustainability claims. Going the extra mile can lead to success when debuting a new coffee brand in a competitive market.