Over the past decade, we've dedicated considerable time and effort to finding ways to reduce waste across our supply chain, including rethinking and changing our coffee packaging. We recently made a significant decision to update our packaging. Here's why.
At Market Lane, we’re dedicated to sourcing, roasting and sharing quality coffee in a responsible, respectful and sustainable way. Every decision we make – from how we source our coffee to how we package it – is carefully informed by our values, which include taking an uncompromising approach to quality and continually seeking out ways we can minimise our environmental impact. Recently, we made a significant change to our packaging: we’ve moved from our paper-based coffee bags to a recycled plastic alternative. Here’s why.
Over the past decade, we've dedicated considerable time and effort to finding ways to reduce waste across our supply chain, including rethinking and changing our coffee packaging. This has been an iterative and ongoing pursuit – we are constantly evaluating our practices, researching widely, testing intensively, and implementing changes that take us in a positive direction.
In June 2025, we updated our coffee bag packaging. We know that many in our community might have questions about why we made this change, what material our new bags are made from, and how to responsibly dispose of them. Here are our answers to all those questions and more!
Why we updated our coffee packaging
Until recently, our paper-based bags were the most sustainable option available to us. They were made from paper (85%) with a very thin plastic lining (15%), which made them foodsafe and protected the coffee inside them. And, best of all, they were kerbside recyclable.
Recent updates to the Australian recycling guidelines state that paper-based bags that contain a plastic or foil lining – like the ones we’ve been using – will no longer be able to be recycled, and soon bags like ours would need to be sent to landfill.
This disheartening change prompted us to carefully re-evaluate our packaging and, once again, review all materials available on the market to find the next, best alternative for our coffee and our customers.
What our new bags are made from
Our new coffee bags are soft plastic, and the majority of the bag is made up of post-consumer recycled waste. These bags are carbon neutral, and made from a single material (which means they’re made of only one type of plastic, making them easier to recycle). They have been designed to keep the coffee fresher for longer, offering a high-protection barrier and a built-in degassing valve. And they have a ripper zipper, which enables the bag to be opened and resealed with ease.
