EcoPackables unveils compostable e-commerce packs from coffee byproduct as Gen Z prioritizes environment

30 Aug 2022 --- EcoPackables is introducing a new raw material for packaging, which combines a proprietary blend of discarded coffee waste with polylactic acid (PLA) to make a compostable polymer that is 35% cheaper than “all existing solutions.” 

The US-based packaging company eliminates virgin paper and plastic waste from apparel packaging. 

Shervin Dehmoubed, EcoPackables founder and CEO, speaks with PackagingInsights about the environmental sustainability benefits of the company’s packaging and how the industry can overcome generational differences in perceptions toward responsible packaging. We also discuss low plastic recycling rates and potential solutions. 

“At EcoPackables, we try to limit our use of virgin materials and instead recycle as much existing waste as possible. Our current EP D42 Film is made from a blend of compostable polymers, partially comprised of discarded corn starch, cassava roots and sugar beats,” says Dehmoubed.

“Many companies now struggle with branding because of their communication, or lack thereof, with Gen Z and millennial consumers. These new consumers represent the largest generational cohort, are the trendsetters on nearly every digital platform and influence hundreds of billions in spending power.” 

“For any consumer of packaged goods, packaging is the first interaction they have with their customers. As such, it’s very important to tailor each company’s message to resonate with their customers and [environmental] sustainability is a big part of that.”

Many companies struggle with branding because of their communication with Gen Z and millennial consumers, says EcoPackables’ founder.Generational gaps 
Innova Market Insights found that 13% of consumers worldwide say they have stopped using single-use plastic within the past year, while 25% indicated that they are noticing a gradual decline in their single-use plastic usage. 

Dehmoubed says that as a Gen Z founder, he can see that the younger generation of consumers have a heightened sense of social responsibility regarding their spending. “A lot of it stems from the top down, with influencers and pop-culture icons setting the trends toward benefiting corporations and purpose-driven brands like Veja or Patagonia.”

“Another key driver is increased access to information and the rise of e-commerce. Packaging waste is beginning to take center stage as consumers start getting several shipments each week. Not only is it a hassle to deal with a box that’s far too large for the product it’s enclosing, but it’s also very wasteful.”

Innova Market Insights also found that when shopping online, recyclability (36%) and reusability (28%) are consumers’ most important packaging considerations besides product protection (36%).

DS Smith recently revealed that a generational gap in recycling is emerging in the UK, with older people more confident than younger generations that they understand how to recycle packaging waste.

The right film strength 
The film is certified by the technical inspection association for home and industrial composting. The latest addition includes a recycled coffee substrate made as a byproduct of coffee production.

“With this new innovation, we can help lower the footprint on this film by an additional 6% while also making it more cost-effective. We’re taking a big step toward making compostable packaging more cost-competitive for large-scale operations.”

Whenever organic or recycled materials are used, no two batches are alike, asserts Dehmoubed. 

“There are certain impurities that stem from these batches, so careful extrusion and finding the right thickness for each film is essential. This took a lot of testing as this new film will have a slightly higher tensile strength than our previous EP D42 Compostable Film.”

Low plastic recycling ratesThe packaging film is certified by the technical inspection association for home and industrial composting.
There are several reasons why recycling systems are inefficient and just 14% of plastic gets recycled, stresses Dehmoubed.

While the issue is related to the low economic value of the plastic and contamination, many flexible films are either not recyclable or No.4 recyclable. “Unfortunately, most consumers aren’t aware of what No.4 recycling means and either throw them away or dispose of them incorrectly,” he says.

“We believe the solution to circularity lies in alternative materials and the advancement of chemical recycling. Our compostable films are a great alternative because they are certified for both home and industrial compost, allowing for easier disposal. When decomposing, they break down into water, CO2 and organic biomass.”

“Our post-consumer recycled paper solutions are also suitable options as they are curbside recyclable and have much higher recycling rates. We see paper as a more boutique strategy though, as the footprint is higher and unit costs tend to be out-of-reach for high-volume operations.”

“In packaging, there is still no silver bullet. After all, the best packaging a company can use is no packaging. At EcoPackables, we try to develop the most [environmentally] sustainable materials on the market while also working closely with companies to cut out excess packaging waste from their supply chain,” he concludes. 

By Natalie Schwertheim

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