Why aren't our bags compostable or recyclable yet?
Many of you have asked us why our coffee bags aren't recyclable or compostable. The answer is simple: it's complicated. In Quebec, none of the materials currently used to package coffee are considered recyclable or compostable under current standards.
We could opt for a greenwashing by inviting you to compost our bags, but this would be misleading. In reality, even if our bags were placed in the compost bin, they would end up in the garbage can at the sorting center, as these materials are not accepted by the local facilities. What's more, even so-called recyclable single-layer now end up in landfill. Why is this? Because there are currently no buyers willing to revalue this type of product, making recycling impossible despite good intentions.
During our discussions with various levels of government, we were given a clearer guideline: Quebec will focus on recycling rather than composting by the end of 2024. This decision aims to improve infrastructure and create a viable market for recycling materials, including packaging such as coffee bags.
We are keeping a close eye on the evolution of these regulations and are preparing to align ourselves with the new standards as soon as they are in place. Recyclable coffee bags should become the norm in the near future, and we are committed to following this trend as soon as possible.
In the meantime, we remain transparent in our approach and refuse to compromise our values by adopting solutions that are not truly sustainable. Your questions and support inspire us to continue exploring solutions that will have a real impact on the environment, without falling into the trap of misleading appearances. Together, we are moving towards a future where every action, however small, will count.