Those of you who have purchased from us very recently have probably noticed a slight change in our packaging: we replaced our shiny steel caps with translucent plastic ones. So, why the change, and why now?
In a word: performance.
We originally selected the steel caps because, as we previously explained, steel is the most circular material on earth, meaning that it can be readily recycled and endlessly remade into more packaging. So though the can itself may be single-use, the material will live on essentially forever. Plus, we thought they looked cool.
However, not long after we first started using the steel caps some concerns began to emerge.
We noticed that while some fit tightly, many others were quite loose and jangly. At first this seemed like just a minor nuisance. But once the vented seal is removed, the only thing keeping the coffee beans inside is the lid. Spills happened. And even the tightest-fitting steel caps could not keep ground coffee from going everywhere.
We also heard from some customers that they were concerned about the loose-fitting caps negatively impacting freshness once the seal is removed. Although we hadn't necessarily noticed this ourselves, it was certainly plausible and absolutely worth paying attention to. Naturally, we take feedback very seriously.
As important as waste reduction and circularity are to us and our company, our packaging must first and foremost protect what's inside and the people that use it.
So just as quickly as we began using them, we started looking for alternatives that would resolve everyone's concerns. The best option we found, at least for now, is the "natural" (i.e. uncolored) plastic lid you see today.
Why it's better.
Well, it's tight! The lid is made of LDPE (low-density polyethylene) which is strong, chemically resistant and flexible, making it a common choice for food packaging. It snaps over the can rim very snugly, so leakage is minimal. As a barrier, it performs better than the metal cap.
As an added benefit, the informational coasters we include with every can of coffee are now visible through the lid. Our coasters include tasting notes and other facts about the coffees on one side, as well as sourcing information on the other, as a way for our customers to learn the stories behind their beverage. The plastic lids are just translucent enough to read the tasting notes through now, which should be helpful for folks who purchase our coffees from our resellers where this info is not otherwise available.
The plastic lid also makes our packaging *slightly* lighter, from 112g down to 96g. Minimizing weight wasn't a major factor in our packaging selection to begin with, as the focus was more on circularity than, say, individual carbon footprint. But, mass takes energy to move around so lighter packaging is more efficient in that regard.
Why it's not so great.
Plastic is not very circular. LDPE (#4) is accepted in many curbside and drop-off recycling centers, but only about 2% of it actually gets recycled. The rest ends up in landfills or is incinerated. Other plastic resins aren't much better. It's not ideal, but until we find a better option (and we are always looking) it will have to do.
Can you still get steel caps?
Yes! We still have plenty in inventory. If you prefer an original steel cap with your order, just make a note to that effect during checkout (there's a place to add a note in your cart). That said, you can request any combination of cap you like - we will do our best to accommodate.
And as always, let us know what you think by commenting below or emailing hello@wavelength-coffee.com. We are always striving to do better.
Cheers!
