Club Coffee debuts first 100% compostable single-serve pod

SEATTLE, WA.—Canadian coffee roaster, Club Coffee, has revealed its PῧrPod100, the world’s first 100 percent compostable, fully-certified single-serve beverage pod.

“The amount of used single-serve pods sent to landfills last year could have circled the earth 11 times,” says Club Coffee chief executive officer John Pigott. “That’s not acceptable.

“We have the most viable solution available to that issue—a pod that will be certified as 100 percent compostable and can be converted to useful compost,” he continues.

“As a large manufacturer and distributor of packaged coffee, we have a responsibility to our customers, and to society, to reduce the environmental impact of our activities.”

The PῧrPod100 is made from renewable, bio-based materials that are 100 percent compostable, and the ring of the pod is made using coffee chaff—the skin of the coffee bean that comes off during the roasting process.

Every single part of the PῧrPod100 is designed to be digestible by, and accessible for, bacteria.

The pod is currently undergoing a rigorous testing process to meet U.S. and international standards and certifications required by municipal and commercial compost manufacturers. It expects to be certified in the coming months.

The PῧrPod100 is compatible with most Keurig brewing systems, including the new Keurig 2.0 brewers.

Says Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA vice-president of marketing Brian Kubicki, “Having collaborated for years on increasingly sustainable solutions to this problem, MZB could not be happier that upon certification, along with Club Coffee in Canada, we will become the only US manufacturer capable of producing these compostable single-serve pods for our brands as well as our partners. We’re proud that Kauai Coffee, Chock full o’Nuts and Hills Bros. coffee brands will be first to the U.S. market with this innovation.”

Adds US Composting Council director of market development Al Rattie: “The US Composting Council supports and encourages the production of certified, compostable plastics to replace non-compostable products.

“Many organic residuals and food scraps, such as coffee grounds, continue to be disposed of in landfills, rather than being diverted to commercial compost manufacturing facilities where they can serve as part of a valuable feedstock,” continues Rattie.

“Currently, plastic, single-serve coffee pods are included in the waste stream. The creation of a certified, fully compostable coffee pod would be welcomed by those commercial compost manufacturing facilities that are permitted to accept such residuals. The production and land application of high quality compost is essential for the creation of healthy soils and a sustainable society.”

The PῧrPod100 was developed in conjunction with international experts and scientists at the University of Guelph. The pod will be available to market in the fall of 2015.

Pigott adds, “Science shows that composting is an effective and conscientious solution to this growing environmental problem. Recycling isn’t a convenient or well-developed solution because hot pods full of coffee grounds must be carefully separated and cleaned before collection. And biodegradation is too slow of a process, taking centuries to break down the billions of pods in landfills.”

BPI executive director of the certifying body Steve Mojo says: “Club Coffee’s new pods represent a significant improvement in single-serve coffee. Everyone involved in this technological advancement are commended for their hard work. All BPI approved products meet ASTM D6400 or ASTM D6868 based on independent lab testing, whose results are verified by NSF International. I know that Club Coffee is committed to working through the certification process as quickly as possible.”

The PῧrPod100 will initially be available for purchase from Kauai Coffee, Chock full o’Nuts, Hills Bros. Coffee, Copper Moon, Boyd’s Coffee and Paramount Coffee.

More information about the PῧrPod100 can be found at www.clubcoffee.ca/compostable.

About Club Coffee
Since 1906, Club Coffee has built a reputation for quality and innovation. It has close to 500 custom label products and more than 200 Club Coffee branded products, making it the largest roaster, contract manufacturer and distributor of packaged coffees that Canadians buy from grocery stores. Club Coffee fully meets the stringent requirements for Organic, Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade and Kosher certifications, and is a leader in developing sustainable coffee solutions. For more information, visit www.clubcoffee.ca.

About the US Composting Council
The US Composting Council, a national organization dedicated to the development, expansion and promotion of the composting industry, was established in 1990 to encourage, support and perform compost related research. USCC promotes best management practices, establishes standards, educates professionals and the public about the benefits of composting and compost utilization, and enhances compost product quality, and trains composters and compost markets. USCC members include compost producers, marketers, equipment manufacturers, product suppliers, academic institutions, public agencies, nonprofit groups and consulting/engineering firms. More info at www.compostingcouncil.org.