Coffee pods that break down in compost heaps have been launched by Australian supermarket chain Coles under its own brand Urban Coffee Culture.
The sustainable packaging innovation comes as the pandemic sparked a major shift in consumer behaviour, with more people opting to prepare and drink their coffee in their own homes.
According to Coles, coffee pod sales increased by 30 per cent over the past two years. And over the same period, pure coffee also saw growth of 30 per cent, while all-in-one sachet coffee rose by 20 per cent.
The coffee pods, made for Nespresso and similar-styled machines, are made with bio-sourced cellulose and vegetable oils and are certified by the Australian Bioplastics Association. Consumers can compost them at home, where they can break down in around the same amount of time as an orange peel.
“We know that very few councils accept compostable packaging in their council food and organics waste bin, so we have worked with our suppliers to find a coffee pod solution that customers can compost at home,” said Leanne White of Coles.
“Composting at home is also a great way for our customers to reduce food waste going into landfills.”
All of the coffee bean suppliers for the Coles Urban Coffee brand are Rainforest Alliance certified. This certification means that farmers follow more sustainable practices that protect forests, improve their livelihoods and promote fair working practices.
The retailer also said it is working to make all of its own-brand packaging 100 per cent recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025.
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