Recognition of our efforts to battle a modern-day problem
At Eighty9, we are delighted to announce that we have recently been declared the winner of the Best Sustainable Packaging Product by the Irish Food-service Supplier Awards IFSA. We received the award in recognition of our reusable tins which were introduced as part of our zero-waste strategy – an ongoing project. The reusable tins innovation has been an important milestone in our journey towards combating waste and addressing climate change – one change at a time.
What are the IFSA’s?
The first of its kind in Ireland, the IFSA’S aim to demonstrate the depth of innovation and technology brought by its members to the Irish market every year. The Categories were chosen to take into account innovations across all product sectors. The 2020 theme of ‘Innovation for a Sustainable Future’ is a timely and poignant focus on the ongoing issues that are becoming more dominant in our daily lives.
Sustainable coffee packaging…and the circular economy
A key element of the award criteria was a focus on the circular economy – this refers to an efficient system which addresses the continual use of resources and the minimisation or elimination of waste. This is an important model when it comes to production and reduction.
By harnessing the circular economy, waste is kept to a minimum and the life cycle of products are greatly extended.
Our sustainable coffee packaging does just that. It is zero waste coffee distributed in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
Ethical Approach
As a family company, we believe we have a social responsibility to do everything in the most ethical possible way. This is a fundamental tradition of the Eighty9 and JJ Darboven story. We believe every coffee supplier has a responsibility to find new ways to reduce waste and this is a work in progress for Eighty9.
We roast our own coffee at Eighty9 so it’s really fresh and tastes great – it’s produced here in Dun Laoghaire at our roastery where small batches of coffee are roasted by experts using top of the range roasting equipment.
Some of the benefits of our zero waste coffee process include:
- The reusable packaging looks cool
- The reusable packaging is fit for purpose
- The logistics behind the delivery works
- Eighty9 is a paperless cup brand too
- It saves a lot of packaging (2,000 bags & 167 boxes per 500kgs a year)
- Time – Saver. As well as the environmental benefits, you don’t have to mess around and waste valuable time recycling or worse – dumping – packaging.
- No more bags. No more cardboard – just good for the environment.
- There is no magic involved – it’s a simple process.
How does this sustainable coffee packaging work in practice?
We have designed and produced gorgeous 3kg branded tins and Eighty9 crates that we give to customers; and orders are re-filled directly into the tins. The tins have been strategically developed to
- aid with degassing
- keep the coffee fresh
- help with pouring coffee beans straight into a coffee grinder.
- Look great in your premises
- Promote the fact that you are supporting local production, through the Eighty9 branding
When we roast coffee, it is cooled and then it’s put directly into the tin and degassed – typically for 2 days. Once adequately degassed, the tin is closed and sealed with a tamper proof seal. From there the tins go into our tailored designed Eighty9 crates – and they are shipped directly back out to our customers.
When it’s time to re-order, you can just ring and let us know – we’ll then collect the tins and the crates, and we go through the cycle again. Simple.
Final words on sustainable coffee packaging
As premium Irish coffee roasters, we also take our environmental responsibility very seriously. For this reason, we are really delighted and proud to be announced the winner of the best sustainable packaging product.
If you are interested in playing your part in reducing waste AND are looking for commercial opportunities to drive your coffee business forward in 2020 – then please give us a call.
Leave A Comment