Speciality coffee roaster Dark Woods Coffee has reportedly become one of the first companies in the hospitality sector to switch to 100% compostable coffee packaging after announcing its transition into home-compostable packaging made by Parkside Flexibles for its hospitality and B2B supplied coffee beans.
Consisting of a bag from Parkside’s Park2Nature range and an industrially compostable valve, the new packaging upholds the oxygen barrier properties of the previous design, which was made with a PET and PE laminate, while also facilitating an eco-friendly end to its life cycle. It is said that customers will receive their own small-scale composters to dispose of the packaging at home or will otherwise be directed to nearby composting facilities.
The new packaging is hoped to increase Dark Woods’ ESG credentials following its B Corp certification in 2020. Previous moves towards achieving complete circularity in its packaging include the instalment of a composter at the company’s roastery and localised deliveries made entirely by cargo bike or electric van.
“Our innovative compostable packaging was the final piece of the puzzle for Dark Woods,” said Paul McKeown, speciality sales director at Parkside. “They’re a company with innovative plans that can be the template for a more sustainable beverage industry, but they were missing the packaging solution that ticked every box.
“Park2Nature is a 100% compostable solution, that does not compromise on barrier performance or print quality. It delivers the performance Dark Woods needed, and it can do the same for any food or beverage product. For example, formats are available where gas flushing is required, making it also an ideal solution for other applications, such as fresh or cooked meat and fresh produce packaging.”
“Moving to compostable packaging is something we have wanted to achieve for a long time,” added Damian Blackburn, director at Dark Woods. “On our journey to making this transition, Parkside stood out as the obvious partner of choice.
“Its range of sustainable packaging solutions is a great fit for our business, and its products align with our company core values of excellence, quality and innovation.”
The news comes after German coffee producer Tchibo collaborated with Berry and Neste earlier this summer, producing a coffee capsule made of 70% bio-based materials.
Parkside have also recently collaborated with supermarket chain Iceland to produce a recyclable paper pouch for its frozen seafood range.
No comments yet