Study reveals single serve coffee packaging systems can reduce food waste and lower environmental impact

A recent study by Quantis Canada on the environmental impact of single serve coffee portions, relative to bulk coffee preparation at home, reinforces findings from the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) on two coffee packaging systems commissioned by Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE).

The externally reviewed study for PAC (Packaging Association of Canada) concludes that “Overall, the single-serve best case scenario posts a better environmental performance than the drip brew system from the perspective of the systems’ full life cycles”.

Stefan Glimm, Chief Executive Director for FPE said, “The conclusions of this new study are significant as they confirm our LCA on packed food products “Case Study: Coffee” comparing an instant coffee single serve stick-pack with a ground coffee family size pouch system. Both studies show that providing food in effective and appropriate portions not only has a lower overall environmental impact, but also helps reduce food waste – which is an increasingly important topic globally.”

The new Quantis study for PAC compares the impacts of an individual coffee produced from a single serve coffee capsule system in North America, including the manufacture of the coffee machine and the coffee, with an 8oz serving of a widely used filtered coffee system.

Mr Glimm commented further, “It is especially interesting and reassuring to see that the conclusions for similar studies are consistent across different geographic regions, with very different energy mixes and consumer habits. FPE, as a founding member of the SAVE FOOD initiative, has invested in many full lifecycle LCAs to demonstrate how flexible packaging can effectively help reduce food and packaging waste significantly, whilst assuring the lowest overall environmental impact.”

By its nature, flexible packaging facilitates easy portioning, easy to empty and optimal product protection, combined with minimal use of packaging materials which makes it typically the most resource efficient packaging choice.