The Compostable Coffee Pod: Is PürPod100tm the Best Thing Since Sliced Bread? A Case Study on Club Coffee

Abstract

With consumer consciousness growing in the area of sustainable food supply, food distribution is looking for methods to embrace, adapt and improve its environmental performance, while still remaining economically competitive. Until recent innovative solutions were developed, coffee pods have been considered as an ecologically unsound approach to single-serve beverages. Some have argued that reverse logistics (recycling) is a better option than green supply chain management (composting). With a particular focus on coffee pods a case study on Club Coffee, which focuses on green supply chain management, is presented for the design of a capacitated distribution network for a two-layer supply chain involved in the distribution of coffee pods in Canada. Our investigation shows that Club Coffee's relationship is not only critical to fostering the green supply chain ideology, but it is also unique in the business. Findings are presented and limitations and future research are proposed.

Green Purchasing Behaviour towards Compostable Coffee Pods

“…This non-recyclable packaging property of coffee pods may act as a hindrance to the growth of the global market for coffee pods [22]. Although there are recyclable pods available in the market, they have been scrutinised and criticised for the low rate at which they are being recycled [23]. Tones of coffee pods are ending up in landfills or being incinerated on a global scale [21].…”

“…The current use by the coffee production chain of environmentally detrimental packaging has raised questions amongst consumers regarding the ethics of the supply chain as well as the production of coffee. This offers the industry an opportunity to move towards a more circular business model that reduces the environmental impact of the pod-style coffee system by producing and using biobased polymers that are biodegradable and hence compostable [2,23].…”

“…However, there is a lot of confusion in the market with regard to the structural differences between biodegradable pods and recyclable pods, which poses a challenge to waste managers and municipalities due to the allocation of responsibility with regard to waste collection and separation [23]. Companies have therefore increased the focus on compostable coffee pod options, as consumers are seeking to make a difference and are often skeptical that the recyclable options may not provide the sought-after outcome from a pro-environmental perspective [23]. The compostable pod has minimal greenhouse gas emissions and reduces waste generation in landfills in comparison to the generic plastic and aluminum pods [21].…”