SINGAPORE – A sustainable packaging solution created by Club Coffee, part of ofi and one of North America’s largest coffee roasters has been recognized as a “creative, appealing, and practical solution to immediate business and societal needs” , at this year’s Reuters Responsible Business Awards.
AromaPak™ featuring Boardio® technology uses recyclable paper-based packaging made from renewable, high-quality tree fiber from sustainably managed forests, as certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). It was developed to address high volumes of packaging waste from coffee.
Singled out as the year’s most innovative product offering at the Awards, which celebrate the latest progress in sustainable business, the judges agreed: “Club Coffee’s technology is an inspiring solution for a phenomenal problem”.
It replaces multilayer bags and cans traditionally used to package coffee beans and grounds that tend to contain plastic or metal. Until now, coffee – even products marketed as sustainable or premium – have been packaged in this way, but those cans and bags can present problems for recyclers, and often end up in landfills.
Up to May 2023, the AromaPak™ packaging solution had achieved:
- Carbon reduction: 90% less carbon versus large steel cans.
- Reduced plastic: a 50% reduction in plastic vs bags and a 43% reduction vs large cans.
- Improved emissions footprint: 90% reduction in transport emissions vs traditional cans. AromaPak is incredibly light and can be shipped as flat sheets, meaning 8x fewer trailers are required compared to steel cans.
Commenting on the replicability of the solution, the judges were “most inspired by the potential impact this can have across other food categories and sectors.”
Solange Ackrill – VP Strategy & Marketing, Club Coffee (part of ofi) said:
“These efforts are part of our ambition to make all packaging either recyclable, compostable, or reusable by 2030 and contribute to ofi’s wider sustainability goals for our coffee business under Coffee LENS.”
“With an estimated 2.25 billion cups of coffee enjoyed every day, there are steps we can all take to help minimize waste and improve the environmental footprint of our daily caffeine hit. We are delighted to be recognized for our sustainable packaging solution that delivers both environmental benefits, convenience, and the fresh coffee that consumers expect. This has been an incredible journey and collaborative process through the entire value chain, from field to cup.”
1 https://events.reutersevents.com/sustainable-business/responsible-business-awards/winners
