Better Bags ❤️🌍
Commonfolk has always been motivated by the goal of leaving the Earth in better knick than we found it.
This year, we've been intentional in taking steps towards becoming climate positive, building eco-friendly structure into the foundations of our business. We’ve actively reduced waste, taken steps to minimise our carbon footprint, and became the first hospitality company on the Mornington Peninsula to become certified plastic free! Most recently you may have noticed our transition to paper bags for our beloved coffee beans. So what’s behind this shift away from recyclable soft plastic? Well, let’s start from the beginning…
Our journey with packaging has been a lot of trial and error; trying to balance our commitment to high quality coffee, with our desire to care for the planet. Whilst our earlier plastic bags were a decent attempt, we realised that they were far from an ideal solution. Plastic, even recyclable, has its challenges. It requires specialised facilities to process it into a reusable product, and the resulting product can only be used for very specific applications. And despite this, the brutal truth remains that in Australia only 16% of recyclable plastics are ever recycled. With companies like RedCycle collapsing before they’d even recycled a single piece of plastic, we knew we needed a better solution.
Introducing our new paper packaging – 100% recyclable in your kerbside recycling bin, sticker and all!
Paper is the gold standard of recycling in Australia. Over 60% of paper is recycled and more than 87% of households actively engage in paper recycling. Australia boasts good paper recycling capabilities, and has more capacity in the system. So it made sense to us to partner with something that’s already working well.
We know that some of you may have questions or even reservations about the move to paper so we’ve put together a list of FAQs
What is the composition of the new bags? Our bags are made of paper with a thin layer of plastic to allow them to be sealed and meet food safety standards.
Plastic lining! How does that work? The plastic has a special additive that allows it to be separated out during the recycling process.
Can I recycle them at home? Absolutely! They’re made to join your regular paper recycling.
Are they compostable? The plastic lining makes the bags unsuitable for your composting system. Although there are compostable bags available they can begin to break down during storage or use, can’t be properly sealed, and many land in the trash and, without proper facilities, might not break down as intended. Our recyclable paper bags, on the other hand, have a much higher chance of getting a second life.
There’s no one way valve, will this impact my coffee? We’ve put the new bags through their paces, and we haven’t noticed any discernible drop in quality compared to our old bags.
Isn’t plastic more durable than paper? Sure, plastic bags are typically more tear-resistant than paper but our paper bags have been robustly designed to endure the journey from roastery to your home, ensuring your coffee arrives in perfect condition.
But I can’t reseal the bag? Unfortunately the plastic ziplock had to go to make the bags recyclable. To help solve the issue we’ve introduced the Commonfolk Cloud Cup Coffee Clip, a simple solution to your resealing dilemmas. Alternatively, you can transfer your coffee into a resealable container for maximum freshness.
Can I just bring my own container? 100% yes! We’ll even give you a discount to say thanks on behalf of Mother Earth. Also, watch this space for the relaunch of our “Local Legends” tins.
Any other pro storage tips? There are a number of containers available that not only offer airtight storage but also have a one way valve. It might even be time to explore freezing your coffee.
This all sounds great, let me guess it’s going to cost heaps! Nope. This move won’t impact the price of our coffee one iota.
Our journey doesn’t end with just switching bags.
We know it isn’t a silver bullet, but it is a step in the right direction, while working within the existing waste infrastructure. We’re continually exploring sustainable practices across all aspects of our business, from sourcing beans to energy consumption in our cafes. The upcoming months will see us engage more in community events, promoting not just the love for coffee but also the love for our planet. We believe that every little bit counts.
So, as you sit back and enjoy your next Commonfolk cuppa, know that each sip is a testament to our commitment to you and the environment. 🌍❤️☕