Innovia helps Canadian coffee maker cut waste to landfill

- Most roasted coffee sold in either foil bags coated in plastic or paper bags with plastic liner

 

- Coffee bag using NatureFlex can be organically recycled

 

Pistol & Burnes has introduced a fully compostable pack for its Farmer First brand incorporating cellulose-based NatureFlex from Innovia Films.

 

The Canadian coffee roasting company produces Fair Trade organic coffee that is now packed in a paper bag laminated to transparent NatureFlex film.

 

NatureFlex films are certified to meet the American ASTM D6400, European EN13432 and Australian AS4736 standards for compostable packaging. Wood pulp is sourced from managed plantations, and the renewable bio-based content of NatureFlex films is typically 95 percent by weight of material according to ASTM D6866.

 

NatureFlex begins life as a natural product – wood - and breaks down at the end of its lifecycle in a home compost bin (or industrial compost environment) within a matter of weeks. It is also confirmed as suitable for emerging waste-to-energy techniques such as anaerobic digestion. 

 

Innovia said NatureFlex films offer advantages for packing and converting such as inherent deadfold and anti-static properties, high-gloss and resistance to grease and oil, good barrier to gases, aromas and mineral oils and a wide heat-seal range.

 

The Farmer First coffee bags were developed by Genpak, a Canadian-based converter. The company’s technical manager, Bill Reilly, said: ‘We recommended NatureFlex to Pistol & Burnes for several reasons. 

 

‘First and foremost, the film performs well technically, having high-barrier properties and good seal integrity that enhance shelf life, keeping oxygen out and aroma in – very important for packaging coffee. 

 

‘Secondly, NatureFlex is perfectly aligned with the ethos of its Fair Trade, organic Farmer First brand.’

 

Roy M Hardy, president of Pistol & Burnes, said: ‘Most roasted coffee sold in the world is packaged in either foil bags (coated in plastic) or paper bags (with a plastic liner). 

 

‘These usually end up going straight to landfill as they can prove difficult to recycle.  However our enviro–friendly coffee bag can be organically recycled (composted), which means it breaks down in a home compost bin.’

 

Joe Piccione, president of Innovia Films Americas, said: ‘Continued success with partners such as Genpak and Pistol & Burnes means that our NatureFlex films are well positioned to provide solutions to converters and brand owners. 

 

‘Especially those seeking to meet consumer demand for packaging made from renewable resources.’

 

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