Jet Technologies has launched a new sustainable packaging solution, ShieldCycle, designed to align with the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation's (APCO) 2025 targets, addressing the long-standing issue of non-recyclable layers in coffee bags.
APCO's targets, established in 2018, aim to transform Australia's packaging landscape by making all packaging 100 per cent reusable, recyclable, or compostable – recycling 70 per cent of plastic packaging, incorporating 50 per cent recycled content in packaging, and eliminating problematic single-use plastics.
Jet Technologies says ShieldCycle addresses these goals with its polyolefin-based plastic structure, which replaces the non-recyclable aluminium layer found in traditional coffee bean packaging with layers that are technically recyclable, ensuring that all components can be easily melted down and reused.
"The APCO targets represent a concerted effort across government, business, and the community to reshape Australia's packaging ecosystem, focusing on sustainable and responsible resource use,” said Daniel Malki, general manager of Jet Technologies.
"ShieldCycle is our response to this call for sustainable packaging solutions, addressing the long-standing issue of non-recyclable layers in coffee bags that contribute to landfill waste."
Traditional coffee bags incorporate a thin aluminium layer to prevent coffee oxidation, but it is not commercially viable for Australian recycling facilities to process the aluminium foil when it is enclosed within a lamination with other plastics.
ShieldCycle's innovative polyolefin-based structure is said to eliminate the need for aluminium, using a highly barriered layer that is technically recyclable, which ensures that all layers have similar melting points, facilitating easy recycling and reuse.
In addition to its recyclable design, ShieldCycle offers an alternative to problematic plastics, which are difficult to recycle and pose environmental and health risks.
Using recycled polyolefins in ShieldCycle reduces the demand for virgin materials and supports sustainability in the packaging industry.
"By adopting ShieldCycle, Jet Technologies’ clients will be contributing to our movement towards responsible packaging solutions that benefit the environment without compromising business performance,” Malki added.
Jet Technologies currently partners with many leading Australian coffee brands, including St Ali and Dimattina Coffee, providing them with innovative packaging solutions that strive to meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability.
"Our clients are looking for ways to reduce their environmental footprint without sacrificing product quality. ShieldCycle offers an excellent solution for coffee brands that want to align with APCO’s sustainability goals while maintaining the integrity and freshness of their products,” Malki concluded.
