Test results of a long-term study confirm that certified compostable coffee pods break down in the Toronto’s green bin food waste process.
This opens the door to widespread acceptance of certified compostable coffee pods in green bin programs across Canada and points to an effective, convenient, and consumer-friendly solution to single serve coffee waste that can also cut costs for taxpayers.
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Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) certified pods used by McCafé, Muskoka Roastery, Melitta Canada, and Ethical Bean Roasters and manufactured by Club Coffee performed well. Loblaw Brands s.v.p. Ian Gordon said the tests are a “welcomed confirmation of the benefits of these pods” used in the company’s private label brands. “This innovative solution solves a big environmental challenge for millions of Canadians,” he said.
“Attempting to recycle coffee pods offers us the least environmental return based on money spent,” says York University waste expert Dr. Calvin Lakhan. “It is 30 times more expensive to abate one metric ton of carbon through coffee pod recycling, than through coffee pod composting,” he said. Successful decomposition of coffee pods made with renewable, plant-based materials addresses consumer backlash against throwaway, single-use plastics while retaining industry standard performance.
Learn more: www.toronto.ca