Breaking it down: Our compostable Bags
Breaking it down: Our compostable Bags
Since the beginning, we’ve been proud to offer our coffee in retail packaging that not only preserves the quality of the beans, but aligns with our goals in doing what we can in doing what we can to be environmentally responsible and help you do the same!
Our 12oz and 2lb Biotrē™ 2.0 bags are made almost entirely of plant-based materials. The outer layer is made of compostable renewable wood pulp (60% in weight) meaning that once broken down the organic waste can be recycled for reuse, like fertilizer! The inner layer of a bag is an important element for roasters to consider, and one of the biggest hurdles in creating sustainable packaging because we need something that will serve as an effective oxygen and moisture barrier in order to best preserve coffee beans. The protective inner layer of our bags is made of a plant based polyethylene, or “PE” for short (40% in weight) which disintegrates much faster than petroleum based PEs. While this special PE is considered non-biodegradable – meaning it doesn’t meet the certification standards of a product that can be broken down through natural processes – it will disintegrate much faster than petroleum-based plastic and uses a sustainable source for production instead of fossil fuels.
So, what do you do with your empty coffee bag now that the beans are gone (or perhaps nestled safely in one of our neat airscapes)? Well, we’ll tell you!
1. Remove the tin tie.
Just tear that baby right off! If you’re crafty you can reuse them at home. OR collect your clean, detached tin ties and donate them where applicable.
2. Remove the degassing valve.
Contrary to popular belief, that little valve located on the back of your bag isn’t a “smelling hole” – it’s actually a degassing valve! Freshly roasted beans release CO2 gas for some time after the roast, and this one-way valve allows the gas to escape so that the bag doesn't puff up or explode while still keeping freshness in. Though the valve on our bags is made of plant-based renewable polyethylene (or “PE” for short), it is not currently biodegradable or compostable. easiest way to remove it is to grab a corner of the valve and tear it off. If that doesn’t work, carefully cut the valve off with scissors and discard the valve in your regular trash.
3. Compost time!
With the ability for the bag’s outer layer to break down naturally in a composting environment in a relatively short period of time (typically a few months), you can process your bag in your home and ensure that 60% less material goes to landfill. Once the outer layer has broken down, you can manually remove the interior PE layer and dispose in your regular trash. * Biotrē™ 2.0 bags are not recommended for municipal or industrial composting
We’ve found Biotrē™ 2.0 bags to be the most sustainable packaging on the market that also holds up to our quality standards in ensuring the freshness of our beans from our roastery to your home. As we continue to strive to be Good for the People, we are looking forward to the day (which we hear is very soon!) we can offer our coffee in Biotrē™ 3.0 bags, which are fully compostable. This means that the entire bag will break down sufficiently into healthy industrial or home compost, converting it into healthy compost which can then be used to grow new generations of plants. Until then, let’s compost what we can!