Compostable Coffee Pod Improves Sustainability and Flavor

With billions of single-serve coffee capsules purportedly sent to landfills every year, environmentally concerned coffee drinkers and brands are scoping out alternatives. New England Coffee Co. is doing its part to reduce plastic waste by switching to a compostable coffee capsule.

The company announced it is replacing all its plastic single-serve coffee capsules with an eco-friendly capsule from PurPod. The PurPod100 capsule features a bio-based mesh filter, and the capsules can be commercially composted, with no need for disassembly.

The capsule, which works with Keurig K-Cup-style brewers, meets the rigors of capsule brewing while delivering a tastier cuppa than conventional capsules.

Three bio-based materials are used to construct the PurPod100 capsules. The lidding is a cellulose film, and the mesh filter is made from a novel, thermoformable polylactic acid (PLA)-based material sourced with plant materials.

The capsule’s brown ring is made from a proprietary resin created using coffee bean skins, aka chaff, and other compostable materials. Chaff is a by-product of coffee-bean roasting. The ring is designed to withstand the brewing process without compromising the quality of the coffee.

NEW ENGLAND COFFEE

The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) certifies the capsules meet or exceed the internationally recognized ASTM D6868 standard for commercial compostability. The certification confirms that the capsules disintegrate within a minimum period, don’t adversely affect compost quality, are not toxic for soil, and meet rules regarding chemicals, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Separately, the Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA) field-tested the capsules at food-waste composting facilities to certify that they degrade quickly and completely. According to PurPod, the capsules can break down in aerobic commercial-composting processes in as few as five weeks, which is faster than some foods.

Even the inks on the capsules are certified as compostable. Toxicity testing on the inks included PFAS testing, to ensure good soil health.

NEW ENGLAND COFFEE

New England Coffee reports that the mesh filter delivers fresher coffee flavor with richer aroma than conventional capsules, because brewing coffee with the plant-based mesh is more like drip brewing with a filter.

Thus, the switch is enabling the brand to achieve two of its top goals — using more eco-friendly packaging and perfecting the taste of its products.

The company has switched to PurPod100 capsules for all single-serve flavors, including Breakfast Blend, Blueberry Cobbler, Carmel Macchiato, and Hazelnut Crème. Most items are on-shelf now, with a full transition expected by October 2024.

New England Coffee sells its capsules online and at leading grocery chains, including Harris Teeter, Kroger, Lowe’s, Market Basket, Target, Tops, Wakefern, Walmart, Winn-Dixie, and many others. The company is owned and operated by Reily Foods.

Read more about coffee capsules and sustainability at PlasticsToday.