Biodegradable coffee bags

August 1st, 2008 • coffee, environmentalism

Now, anyone that’s been reading this blog since some time last year, knows I like a lot. Apparently there’s this coffee place called Larry’s Coffee that now offers biodegradable bags that they ship their coffees in.

Yes, even though they’re still made from petroleum plastics, the vendor Larry’s gets these bags from say they biodegrade 100%, there’s even EPA-backed tests to prove it. This is a great change in the delivery of small batch coffee, I hope that more roasters start doing this. I really hope my current favorite roaster, Gorilla Brand Coffee (Blendimentosis is amazing), starts offering these soon. I’m always torn up about what I should do with my empty coffee bags. I can’t tell if they’re totally recyclable (foil inside, unknown ink outside) and I’ve yet to find a good use for them. Maybe I’ll start hauling out the cat poop in them like I do the paper bags we get.

I’m going to order a batch or two from Larry’s so I can fondle these fancy new bags in person. I like the sound of the Bean Martin Blend. Catchy name.

Via Treehugger

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7 Responses (Add Your Comment)

  1. Ali Syme August 3, 2008
    at 6:02 am

    So what about the compostable coffee cups?

  2. James Westfall August 3, 2008
    at 12:21 pm

    Well aside from readily available recyclable paperboard cups, companies make compostable cups (many of which are also biodegradable). But the best solution is to simply have a reusable cup so you’re not adding to the waste stream. I have three that I use with regularity: 18oz Nissan ThermosMAX, plastic Halloween coffee tumbler, steel double-walled 16oz travel tumbler.

  3. Ali Syme August 3, 2008
    at 12:33 pm

    Not the best solution for everyone but thanks for the information

  4. James Westfall August 3, 2008
    at 10:22 pm

    Well, not adding to the waste stream is always a best solution but it’s not always the most feasible for every situation, that’s for sure! Of course, for events and get togethers, you can’t reasonably expect everyone to provide their own cups — although you can suggest it — so at least using compostable ones will definitely help. I know that, despite current trends, usability and affordability is an issue. This will change in the future as products gain consumer trust and availability but it never hurts to be a front runner.

    I get stuck in this all the time when I go to coffee houses. Normally I take my own cup everywhere but there are those times where I do not have it or simply could not bring it with me and I feel terrible. But I try to at least make it a point to take my cup(s) home to recycle.

  5. Ali Syme August 4, 2008
    at 3:46 am

    I used to sell coffee – and I know what you mean about waste. The foil bags for instance – I was amazed at how small and tightly packed they were. And all that effort for the shop owner to have to rip through them every day.

    It takes 1000 times more energy to make a ceramic cup than a disposable one – probably more now that energy costs are on the increase. So let’s agree to tell people – drink from a ceramic cup…but be sure to have 1000 coffees!

  6. James Westfall August 4, 2008
    at 11:31 pm

    As a former seller of beans, what did you guys do with the discarded bags? Just toss them away? I really struggle to find a use for them which is why I liked ordering from Coffee Fool, they use LDPE plastic bags that you can recycle. I wish Gorilla did the same.

  7. Ali Syme August 5, 2008
    at 2:58 am

    Tried to – but they tend to tear quite easily

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