Consumers now have access to a broader variety of coffees thanks to the specialty coffee market, which has also improved producer prices and provided exceptional opportunities for micro-roasters. It also continuously strives for greater supply chain transparency and sustainability.
Even though Covid-19 has severely hurt the coffee business, many micro-roasters have managed to survive by shifting their focus to online sales. However, once demand returns to pre-pandemic levels, additional adjustments might be needed to maintain competitiveness.
Even though it would seem like a differentiator better left to larger roasters with more resources and time, micro-roasters could benefit from putting more of an emphasis on sustainability right now. Examining sustainability and how micro-roasters might concentrate on it can be helpful.
why, in terms of sustainability, size doesn’t matter
Few of the world’s commercial coffee chains cater to consumers’ desire to explore other coffee sorts and flavors. Because of this, speciality micro-roasters are becoming more prevalent in developed areas like North America and Europe.
Customers can get the highest-rated single origin coffees from micro-roasters. Additionally, they are in a good position to establish direct trade links with producers and can provide specifics about how and where a coffee was cultivated, something for which customers have demonstrated a willingness to spend more.
Most micro-roasters have no intention of being small indefinitely. Positive growth is linked to increased profit margins and a wider audience. Even the smallest coffee roaster today has the ability to make certain improvements, despite the fact that some of the changes made by larger roasters may seem impractical.
Sadly, the Covid-19 outbreak has had a significant impact on most enterprises. It is clear that there is no likelihood of things returning to “normal” for those who have continued to operate.
In order to create a world that is sustainable and well-prepared to handle future catastrophes, businesses must manage climate-related risks going ahead, according to the World Economic Forum.
Many firms however continue to see sustainability as someone else’s problem in spite of these calls.
Companies who ignore sustainability are at a disadvantage. Products that are branded as sustainable expand their sales 5.6 times faster than non-sustainable alternatives, according to research from NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business.
The same study reveals that coffee advertised as sustainable has one of the greatest shares in its category, indicating that consumers are already buying coffee that satisfies their environmental requirements.
This dedication to sustainability extends beyond the product itself when it comes to coffee. Customers will take into account the brand’s environmental impact even if the coffee was ethically sourced and sustainably farmed, given its transportation, marketing, and packaging.
Having a micro-roastery that adheres to sustainability principles has many advantages
The precise financial advantages of incorporating sustainability principles into a roastery have not been well studied. It will differ from business to business based on aspects like size, budget, and other particulars.
For example, large roasters with a broader market reach and more investment budget could switch to more environmentally friendly equipment or produce enough roasting byproducts for other uses or recycling. Bellwether Coffee in California decided to employing electric roasters, which has resulted in a 90% reduction in the carbon impact of each roasting cycle.
Union Coffee Roasters recycles thousands of kg of coffee chaff in the UK and gives it to farmers to use as bedding for their cattle. Additionally, they gather the leftover coffee made during barista training sessions so that it can be turned into biofuels.
It can be expensive for micro-roasters to replace their equipment. Additionally, gathering roasting debris for recycling or reuse might not be possible. This does not suggest that sustainability be disregarded, but rather that micro-roasters should think about more manageable and straightforward approaches to implement sustainable changes. For the majority of micro-roasters, it can begin with the packaging.
Why sustainable packaging should be used at first for micro-roasters
Traditionally, plastics derived from fossil fuels or recyclable plastics like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) have been used to make coffee packaging. Micro-roasters can make a small but effective shift by switching to compostable and biodegradable packaging.
The UK roaster Amamus Coffee has taken this route. Their roast coffee was formerly packaged using single-use plastics lined with aluminum. They switched to totally compostable bags because these bags don’t break down and typically wind up in landfills. The quality of the coffee is unchanged if it is consumed within a month of delivery.
Although it may seem like a minor adjustment, it has a big effect. According to a recent study funded by the European Paper Packaging Alliance, the production of single-use paper products requires less fresh water and produces less CO2 emissions. In addition, they use fewer fossil fuels and create less air pollution from particles.
Micro-roasters may be hesitant to use sustainable packaging because they fear it won’t be profitable or won’t sufficiently contain their coffee and keep its quality. Research reveals that while the initial cost of adopting sustainable packaging is higher, it eventually decreases.
Making the switch will essentially pay out in the long run for your micro-roastery and help the environment as a result.
The initial cost is worthwhile when switching from plastic packaging to sustainable materials. Before your firm grows and the process becomes more difficult, it’s also a step worth taking.
Additionally, it will help your company establish its eco-credentials in the eyes of its current clientele, which will increase client retention and show that you have been committed to sustainability from the start.
If you work with a packaging specialist with knowledge in eco-friendly coffee packaging solutions, the procedure doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. For micro-roasters, Cyan Pak offers a variety of low minimum order quantity (MOQ) alternatives made from recyclable materials like LDPE.
It’s the ideal option for those wishing to maintain agility while showing brand identification and a dedication to the environment, with a quick turnaround and MOQ of just 500 units.
Contact our staff for more information about our environmentally friendly coffee packaging.
