Larry’s Beans Launches Biodegradable Packaging for Coffee
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island 
on 07.24.08
It’s no secret that we like Larry’s Beans. We’ve posted a few videos about the company and even included them in our Valentine’s Day Gift Guide. So when we heard the news that the company has launched biodegradable packaging for their already delicious coffee, we started searching our local spots to see where we can find it.
When we first read the headline, we thought “well, it must be made from corn-based” plastic, after all, that’s one of the most popular biodegradable kinds of packaging. But according to Larry’s Beans, “many folks don't realize that they [corn plastics] need commercial composting facilities to biodegrade - if they are tossed in a landfill or even the home compost heap, they may just as well be your regular plain-old plastic.” So what is it then that Larry’s Beans uses that makes it so different?
According to their website, Larry’s uses regular ole’ plastic made from petroleum (and we’ll agree with them that this isn’t ideal) BUT it “includes an additive that helps micro-organisms to break it down completely into humus, leaving no harmful residues behind.” Yes, we admit we were even skeptical about this process, but apparently Larry’s has done their research. Their EPA tests that no dangerous chemicals or toxins are left in the soil once the bags decompose.
So tomorrow morning raise your mug o’ joe to Larry’s Beans. And don’t think twice before throwing their coffee bags in your compost along with your usual coffee grounds, because in nine months they’ll be nothing but dirt. ::Larry's Beans
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There are two types of biodegradable plastics. The much more common one, oxodegradable, uses heavy metal catalysts such as cadmium. Also, it takes about 2 years for degradation, and at any time when the pieces get smaller animals can mistake them for food. Plus, if you make something from petroleum, and add cadmium, how can it really be safe for the soil? Most packaging scientists agree that it isn't. Also, does anything actually degrade in a landfill without oxygen...?
I take a 1.5 liter wire-bale glass jar to the local roaster and it holds a pound of beans.
I've been thinking a lot lately how I'd love for all our pacaking to be biodegradable.
My step-dad's mom was telling me about little peaunts that come in packaging and they just dissolve in water.
Hopefully engineers can come up with some great biodegradable packing OR we can get on board with the whole waste to fuel conversion.
David- Thanks for your concern about the true biodegradability of our packaging. We were also concerned when we first started exploring this technology that it would be your typical "degradable", or "oxydegradable" rather than "biodegradable" plastic. But our suppliers assure us, and have signed a legally binding agreement to back this up, that this new technology fully breaks down in the soil to leave absolutely no harmful chemicals or residues (no cobalt or cadmium is used in manufacture either). They have also assured us, and tested, that the packaging will break down aerobically or anaerobically, so even in landfill it is a step in the right direction. You can learn more about various biodegradable plastics via our supplier's website here - Larry
@David: Thanks for your concern about the true biodegradability of our packaging. We were also concerned when we first started exploring this technology that it would be your typical "degradable", or "oxydegradable" rather than "biodegradable" plastic. But our suppliers assure us, and have signed a legally binding agreement to back this up, that this new technology fully breaks down in the soil to leave absolutely no harmful chemicals or residues (no cobalt or cadmium is used in manufacture either). They have also assured us, and tested, that the packaging will break down aerobically or anaerobically, so even in landfill it is a step in the right direction. You can learn more about various biodegradable plastics via our supplier's website here .
@Anonymous: Great to hear you are reusing your jars at the bulk bins, which is obviously always preferable. Our coffee continues to be available at many outlets via bulk bins, and we hope folks are reusing their containers. In fact, even our new 1lb biodegradable grocery-shelf bags are reusable (they make awesome sandwich bags for the kiddies!).
I'll jump on this bandwagon as well. Luckily Larry's is nearby and they sell it in our grocery store. We haven't quite elevated to the level of using the local roaster so this is good for us.
@Courtney - I agree with you but there is an important caveat. If the 'waste' wasn't designed to be burned then it will likely release toxic and dangerous chemicals into the air (why are they in our products in the first place?). I'm also hoping we come up with biodegradable AND safe materials for everything, not just packaging.
Unfortunately there are elements of this package that won’t degrade (assuming the material actually does fully degrade. Believe me, this is under dispute). According to the supplier’s web site, it takes 9-60 months for the material to “biodegrade”. That’s about 4 years longer then most people want to wait for their compost. However, part of the bag will be waiting for the composter at the end of the 9-60 months, the ink used to print, the adhesives used to glue it together and the degassing valve all will be there waiting for you at the end of that timeframe to be used in your gardens. I believe the intention is good, but the end result is really not worth a hill of Larry’s Beans.