Wake up and smell the sustainable coffee

A convenient cup of joe no longer has to come at the expense of the environment, according to a UK firm which has developed a biodegradable coffee pod (pictured). Biome […]

A convenient cup of joe no longer has to come at the expense of the environment, according to a UK firm which has developed a biodegradable coffee pod (pictured).

Biome Bioplastics said it was responding to the rising popularity of coffee machines which use single-use pods or capsules, which are difficult to recycle and usually end up at the tip.

In the year up to February their use in Britain increased by around 45%, adding roughly 186 million capsules to UK landfills, found the research group Kantar Worldpanel.

Biome Bioplastics said it has developed a range of compostable materials for use in the capsules, made from natural resources such as plant starches.

Paul Mines, CEO of Biome Bioplastics said: “Single–serve coffee pods are an excellent example of the fundamental role that packaging plays in delivering quality and convenience in the food service sector.

“The challenge is to reduce environmental impact through packaging optimisation without impacting on food quality or safety, or inconveniencing the customer. Bioplastics are an important part of the solution.”

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