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Permalink Reply by Daniel Williamson on October 1, 2009 at 1:57pm

I love the way stumptown does their bags. They use lined paper bags with a folding top and one-way valve. What really sets it apart, in my mind, is the fact that they have a little slit on the front of the package (obviously not puncturing the bag) and they insert a card description listing all the characteristics of that particular coffee (identical to their website). And that seems to work for them! It just goes to show that making something really flashy doesn't necessarily improve the product. They care about the coffee that goes inside the bag, and let that do the talking...not some colorful advertising. Clean and simple. That's classic.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Klingensmith on October 21, 2009 at 11:00am

Hey Daniel,
I love stumptown packaging, too. The thing is it is not practical or cost effective to package in plastic lined paper bags. Product goes stale too quick. The coffee culture in the Mid West is significantly different to the North west. Slower rotation here.

Priority for us is Freshness and Sustainability. We are talking to different producers of bags and cans. Yes, cans are a viable option because you can recycle them. Of course, we have not made any decisions, but our research continues.

Anyone using a "Bio-Bag"?
Like Larry's Beans: http://www.larrysbeans.com/bio-bags/

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Permalink Reply by Bill Klingensmith on October 30, 2009 at 11:50am

Just following up here:
Trying to keep things sustainable and cost effective.
1) Canning - We looked at canning. Super cool idea. Realistically, not practical. Not as sustainable as you think. Investment in a can seamer, printing cans and storing cans. Nope.
2) There are a few places making sustainable bags. If anyone has a resource that custom prints bags that are biodegradable or "sustainable" please post back. The only one I have heard of that is spot on is Maverick Enterprises ... http://www.maverickent.net . I am waiting to hear about pricing. Hopefully it works out.

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Permalink Reply by Derryl Reid on October 30, 2009 at 1:06pm

I have been looking & hoping for a good high barrier eco-bag for some time now!

What I have found is not to jump to quick on the band wagon!
Biodegradable is not necessarily composttable.

There are bags out there that will biodegrade but it is just making the problem less visible, plastic is plastic no matter how big or small!

Until we can get a "true" compostable high barrier bag, maybe there are other solutions? Can we encourage customers to return their bags to be recycled?

I am always open to ideas on how to be more sustainable in our business practices.

Bill Klingensmith said:

Just following up here:
Trying to keep things sustainable and cost effective. 1) Canning - We looked at canning. Super cool idea. Realistically, not practical. Not as sustainable as you think. Investment in a can seamer, printing cans and storing cans. Nope. 2) There are a few places making sustainable bags. If anyone has a resource that custom prints bags that are biodegradable or "sustainable" please post back. The only one I have heard of that is spot on is Maverick Enterprises ... http://www.maverickent.net . I am waiting to hear about pricing. Hopefully it works out.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Klingensmith on October 30, 2009 at 1:29pm

Thanks Derryl,
I am really interested how other folks are handling this too.
We feel we have waited long enough for the packaging industry to meet this demand.
Biodegradable option is the least of the evils. I am thinking the foil bags being used will be around ...forever.

So, do we make the move now or ... maybe never to a "greener" bag?
We would like to be pro-active on this.

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Permalink Reply by Derryl Reid on October 30, 2009 at 9:55pm

One thing I have found is our customer will quickly educate us if we are doing the right thing or not!
I have chosen to wait for a true compostable bag, I think we will see one in the next 12 -24 months!

One thing we have done is to adopt a reusable tote system for our high volume customer, eliminating the need for bags!
You could also offer discounts to customer who bring bags back to be refilled (if that is possible for your situation).


Bill Klingensmith said:

Thanks Derryl,
I am really interested how other folks are handling this too.
We feel we have waited long enough for the packaging industry to meet this demand.
Biodegradable option is the least of the evils. I am thinking the foil bags being used will be around ...forever.

So, do we make the move now or ... maybe never to a "greener" bag?
We would like to be pro-active on this.

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Permalink Reply by Dennis on October 31, 2009 at 9:22am

I would say do some research and have a look at what colors/themes/styles work well and are successful in a number of different industries. Sometimes the best ideas come from a completely different industry. For me, my packaging/branding came from the wine industry! I worked at a wine store while getting the Roasting business going and started looking at the different wine labels and their impact on purchase decisions....ie. listening to the comments/conversations customers were having while they selected their wines. it was really interesting what I learned. After reading a study on wine labels/branding the study concluded that 74% of consumers based their initial purchase on the label!!!! Personally I find the wine and coffee industries are very similar...ie. big mass appeal, but how many customers really understand the intricacies of single origin/freshness/roast style/ etc. it's the exact same thing with wine. Not sure if this helps. As well look at the most successful logos in branding history....look at the colors...style...etc maybe that helps. Good luck

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