PROTECTING OUR PLANET ON EARTH DAY 2024

This year’s Earth Day theme, ‘Planet vs Plastics’, shines a light on plastic’s pervasive presence in our daily lives, including in packaging for essentials like food and beverages, such as coffee. 8.3 billion tons of plastic has been produced since the 1950s, yet only 9% has ever been recycled. With increasing global emphasis on sustainability and environmental stewardship, there is growing demand from consumers for a shift towards plastic-free alternatives. To stem the tide, Earth Day 2024 is calling for an ambitious 60% reduction in plastic production by 2040.

 At Sucafina we are always looking for opportunities to minimize our environmental impact – and that includes promoting efforts to reduce the use of resources. We believe that technology and innovation, embedded in sustainability, is the blend for success. That's why we're excited to share 4 ways how we, at Sucafina Instant, we are pioneering innovative packaging solutions in the markets where we supply finished goods :

1. Metal Lids for Glass Jars: Transitioning from plastic caps to metal lids on glass jars not only reduces plastic waste but also adds a trendy, artisanal touch to a brand's identity.
2. Metal Overcaps for Tins: By replacing plastic overcaps with metal alternatives, premium instant coffee products can achieve plastic-free packaging, enhancing their appeal to eco-conscious consumers.
3. Alternatives to Composite Containers: Moving away from non-recyclable composite containers, Sucafina Instant’s range of metal tins in various sizes provides a sustainable packaging option that aligns with consumer preferences.
4. Alternatives to Laminated Film: Our aluminum-free film options, incorporating cutting-edge paper-based technologies, ensure recyclability and even home compostability, addressing the environmental concerns associated with traditional laminated film packaging.

The Beyers Koffie team have also been investing in solutions to promote sustainable coffee packaging. They converted their entire production line of coffee pads (soft coffee pods) to compostable filter paper – that’s roughly 1.4 billion pads annually. Beyers was an active participant in the Green Deal in the Netherlands, which lobbied for consumers to be able to dispose of used coffee pads made with compostable filter paper. Almost 97% of coffee pads in the Netherlands are now compostable!

By embracing innovative packaging solutions and fostering a commitment to sustainability, we can make significant strides towards a plastic-free future. Together, let's continue to prioritize the health of our planet and future generations by reducing plastic waste and safeguarding the environment for years to come.

To read more about sustainability at Sucafina and download a copy of our annual sustainability reports, visit our group website.

If you want to reduce plastics in your coffee packaging, we are here to help!