One of the metals that is most frequently utilized worldwide is aluminum. It is nearly as durable as steel, nearly three times as light as iron, flexible, simple to work with, and corrosion-resistant.
It is utilized in the production of everything from frying pans to cellphones since it bonds with other elements well. Furthermore, there is no chance of it running out any time soon because it is both abundant and infinitely recyclable.
These characteristics, along with its strong barrier capabilities, have made aluminum a well-liked material for multilayer coffee packaging for a long time. Roasters have been using coffee bags with an aluminum lining for years to shield their roasted beans from heat, moisture, light, and oxygen.
But when aluminum is fused to another substance, it becomes infamously challenging to recycle, frequently requiring specialized facilities to separate them. As a result, roasters are moving away from coffee bags with an aluminum lining and toward more environmentally friendly options.
Polylactic acid (PLA), a bioplastic derived from cornstarch that is not only renewable but can entirely decompose when deposited in a commercial composting facility within 90 days, is one of these alternatives that is most widely used.
Why do roasters still line their coffee packaging with aluminum today?
Coffee has been packaged for ages. Sellers utilized beeswax-treated paper or oiled leather as packing materials in the 1700s, while paper bags and tin foil pound paper first appeared in the 1800s.
After the foil-lined paper bag was granted a patent in the USA in the late 1800s, roasters began delivering coffee in tin cans to clients all throughout the nation. After that, tin cans and foil-lined sacks continued to be utilized. Due to their weight, rigidity, and expense, tin cans soon lost popularity; yet, metallic-lined bags have remained commonplace ever since.
This metal is preferred above others for coffee bag lining for a variety of factors. To begin with, it is food-safe and non-toxic. It can be rolled eight times thinner than a banknote, thus it won’t considerably increase the weight of a packaged good.
At high temperatures, it also won’t melt, change shape, or emit an odor. It is resistant to moisture and oils and won’t rust when they are present. Additionally, it conceals bacteria, pathogens, light, and oxygen.
Aluminum is one of the most recyclable materials on the market, making up for the fact that it can be expensive to extract and refine. Over 90% of the energy needed to make aluminum is saved by recycling, significantly reducing its price.
Are coffee containers made of aluminum environmentally friendly?
Although aluminum may be recycled, the applications for coffee packaging can completely stop this from happening. The majority of roasters employ multilayer packaging, which consists of an inner layer of aluminum and an outside layer of easily printed material like kraft paper.
Coextrusion or lamination is used to bind the aluminum to the surface material. Lamination immediately attaches aluminum to another material, whereas coextrusion first melts it into granules or pellets before extruding and chilling it. This aluminum layer can preserve coffee up to 12 months before it starts to significantly lose flavor and aroma.
When it comes time to discard and recycle this packaging, a problem occurs. It can be difficult to separate these layers, and not all recycling facilities have the necessary machinery.
Sadly, this implies that these coffee container varieties frequently end up in a landfill, where they can decompose for many years. The alternative is to burn it, but doing so pollutes the air.
Thankfully, there are now lining alternatives. These materials function just as well as aluminum and are less expensive. More significantly, they are easily separable from their superior materials, allowing for proper recycling.
Lining your coffee packaging with PLA
Polylactic acid (PLA) is the answer if you’re seeking for an inexpensive, accessible, and recyclable aluminum substitute.
By fermenting renewable plant starches, such as those found in rice or sugarcane, PLA, a non-toxic bioplastic, is produced. Similar to ordinary plastic filaments, those made through the fermentation process can be molded, shaped, and colored to meet the particular requirements of the maker.
More crucially, PLA decomposes in about 90 days. Although its shorter shelf life makes it ideal for packaging coffee that will be used within six months, roasters who offer subscription services and lesser coffee volumes do not have a problem with this.
According to research, if you make the switch, the customer experience will probably not be impacted. Coffee drinkers want the aroma and flavor of their coffee to last as long as possible, according to a comparison study of coffee barrier materials.
Customers are aware that packaging can assist maintain these qualities, yet research indicates that no particular barrier material is preferred. Instead, they are content to accept any content that does the task.
It’s crucial to realize that for PLA to decompose, certain circumstances must exist. Contrary to aluminum, it can be readily separated from other materials, thus it won’t slow down or stop the recycling process totally.
There are a few factors to bear in mind if you’re thinking about using PLA in your packaging. Are the recycling facilities in your area capable of processing PLA or other bioplastics, for example?
Additionally, you must make it abundantly obvious to clients that if they keep their packed coffee for any longer than is advised, the quality may significantly deteriorate.
Utilize the space afforded by the outer container of your coffee to clearly state which parts of the container are recyclable and biodegradable and to inform clients of this. Before depositing the package in a recycling container, customers might need to remove degassing valves or zip closures from it.
You can also use this area to describe your dedication to adopting environmentally friendly, sustainable packaging.
You might reconsider your packing options if you realize that not all components of your coffee package can be recycled.
Your packaging supplier should ideally offer you a full range of recyclable or compostable packaging components, including your choice of degassing valves, packaging lining, and ink.
All of these and more may be helped with by Cyan Pak, which also gives you complete creative freedom over the design process.
