Ways To Recycle Different Kinds Of Coffee Packaging

Planet contamination comes as one of the most urgent topics within the framework of global ecology. As the World Bank predicts, the amount of annual waste will increase by 70% (to 3,4 billion tons) by 2050. Product packaging plays a key role in this regard since an overwhelming portion of garbage comes from the food industry. People used to consume packed food, while manufacturers offer over 90% of products in packed form.

Millions of tons of garbage are sent to landfills yearly. In this concern, the issue of waste disposal and recycling comes as minimum measures to slow down pollution, although the process is inevitable. Improper disposal of wrappers can aggravate and speed up the climate crisis. Thus, industries are forced to turn to sustainable coffee packaging production and implement environmentally friendly technologies into their manufacturing mechanisms to reduce carbon emissions and the negative impact on the planet.

The contribution of every human is important to achieve the common goal and save the planet from devastating pollution. Like any other individual, coffee enthusiasts should treat packages more properly, dispose of them correctly, and switch to recyclable coffee bags. In the article, we’re going to discuss the most effective and eco-friendly ways to recycle and dispose of coffee packaging.

Which Materials Are Used in the Production of Coffee Packaging?

To understand the choice of these or those materials for coffee covers, it’s necessary to realize what requirements are set before wrappers. The main task of proper coffee packaging is to preserve a strong aroma and have high barrier properties to protect the content from moisture, sunlight, oxygen, and environmental pollutants. The following materials cope with these tasks successfully:

1. Plastic pouches. Polythene plastic covers feature high flexibility and compactness, which simplifies transportation and storage. By storing coffee in a plastic bag, the content is protected from all sorts of external environmental influences.
2. Glass jars. Glass perfectly preserves the taste, aroma, and physical properties of coffee and has high impact resistance.
3. Kraft paper packaging. This wrapper is usually used for packing premium-quality beans directly for a consumer since they have low barrier properties.
4. Metal storage tins. Such containers feature high resistance to external stress, due to which they do not let coffee crack. Metal also does not let moisture and sunlight go through.
5. Coffee pods. These are small portioned bags for one-time use. They have one portion of a dry substance per cup.

Note that most packages have compound structures to enhance barrier properties. For instance, aluminum foil is added to plastic or paper covers to prevent moisture penetration and prolong coffee shelf life. However, such compound (two- or three-layer) wrappers make it hard to recycle coffee packaging. 100% Recycling is achieved when covers consist of one material, but when several different types of materials are combined, the process can’t go smoothly, which is why experts suggest refusing composite packaging.

If you need coffee packaging bags, Uniflex offers multiple options for all sorts of coffee retailing. Skilled employees consult clients and assist in picking appropriate solutions for their demands. The company widely deals with sustainable wrappers and guarantees that all covers are BPA-free.

The Correct Way to Recycle Coffee Wrappers

Depending on the type of packaging, different recycling technologies are applied. Thus, you need to know what material your package is produced from to recycle coffee bean bags correctly. Here are the most common cases:

1. PLA (Polylactic acid) packaging is an innovative solution for manufacturing wrappers from renewable resources. The cover is produced from the likes of sugarcane, maize, or corn starch by means of fermentation. This type of wrapper is fully biodegradable; the composting period takes just 90 days. Although it can decompose right at home, it’s advisable to bring it to specialized recycling centers.
2. LDPE wrappers come as an eco-friendly solution for roasters. Low-density polyethylene wrappers are made of one material, simplifying the recycling process. Mono structures are recycled more easily than poly-material bags. To decompose such covers correctly, throw it in a special waste container.
3. Craft paper & rice paper. Rice paper packaging is fully recyclable and compostable. But, make sure to remove all residues of coffee and marketing materials (logos, water-based inks, etc.). Such wrappers are designed for throwing out in a special container for paper.
4. Composite covers. Poli-structured covers cannot be fully recycled. The combination of two different materials makes it impossible to finish the coffee bean bags recycling process. Thus, if your coffee wrapper includes foil, it can be recycled only in specialized centers, where machinery and filters can decompose composite structures, dividing their layers..  

Nowadays, the planet suffers from human activity, and it’s our responsibility to cope with its pollution. Activists try to break the chain of over-contamination and call people around the world to turn to waste sorting. In the best possible way, the global anti-pollution gba 333 trends are aimed at achieving zero waste in the future, where garbage will be recycled and disposed of by 100%. So, it’s high time to join this movement and help save the future of our planet.

Uniflex comes as an advanced company that produces innovative types of packaging that meet the requirements of sustainable wrapper policy. Contact managers to learn the details and order eco-friendly coffee beans recyclable packaging.