Have you ever thought about how many coffee bags end up in the landfill each year? For most of us, the answer is far too many. According to sustainability researcher Gunter Pauli, global coffee production creates in excess of 23 million tons of waste per year, and although coffee bean bags are a small part of the equation, the materials they're made from can have a huge impact!
Why We Made the Change: Biodegradable Coffee Bags to Recycled Coffee Bags
What we learned from biodegradable coffee bags
A few years ago, we tested out biodegradable coffee bags. They were designed to break down over time, and on paper, they looked like a great fit. But we quickly learned that not all options that are better for the planet are better for our customers.
The seals unfortunately didn't hold up to our standards, and we received feedback that the bags were breaking down faster than you could drink your coffee!
Finding a balance between quality and eco-friendly packaging
As fellow coffee-lovers, we know that coffee freshness is the heart of a great cup, and it’s something we never want to compromise. So, we set out to find a packaging solution that balanced sustainability, quality, and community impact.
Partnering with Grounded Packaging for Recycled Coffee Bean Bags
That search led us to Grounded Packaging a company rethinking what sustainable coffee packaging can be. Their Wastemade™ line is built on the idea of a circular economy: giving materials a second (and third, and fourth) life.
Together, we’re bringing in bags that are:
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Made with post-consumer recycled plastic: plastic waste gets a second life and is diverted from landfills.
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Resource-conscious: instead of sourcing virgin materials, these bags are produced through a waste-to-resource process.
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Lower-carbon: produced with fewer CO₂ emissions, and every order supports Blue Carbon projects, restoring vital ocean ecosystems that remove more carbon than they emit.
So, every Eclipse bag you take home has a ripple effect that starts from your kitchen counter and makes its way right to our oceans.
Building Community Through Coffee in Canmore
Community coffee programs in Canmore and the Bow Valley
Change starts with community. Whether you live in the Bow Valley or are an out-of-province coffee lover, we’re grateful you’re part of ours. As a Canmore-based coffee roaster, we owe everything we do to our customers and local partners. This collaboration is a reminder that meaningful change doesn’t happen in isolation.
How small-town coffee initiatives in Canmore make a big difference
Recycling one coffee bag might not seem like much, but together we can keep hundreds of coffee bags out of the landfill every month. That’s the power of community coffee initiatives.
Where to Recycle Coffee Bags in Canmore: you can bring your empty coffee bean bags to The Boulder Crescent Recycling Depot, located at 115 Boulder Crescent!
TIP: If you’re looking for the most sustainable option, try one of our Hario airtight coffee canisters. Bring it back to the roastery for a refill and enjoy 10% off beans (300g+), every time. Less waste, more savings, and coffee that stays fresher for longer!
Looking Ahead: The Future of Sustainable Coffee in the Rocky Mountains
For us at Eclipse, sustainability in coffee isn’t a finish line. We’re excited to be on a path that strengthens our team, inspires local businesses, and encourages our community of coffee lovers to work together.
These new bags are just another step forward, and we’re committed to continuing the search for better coffee packaging solutions as innovations emerge.
As a small town Canmore coffee roaster, we believe that great coffee should build community, spark conversation, and inspire positive change. So, the next time you bring home a bag of your favourite Eclipse Coffee Beans, know that you’re supporting innovators like Grounded Packaging, who are driving real sustainability action forward.
Are you as excited as we are about the future of sustainable coffee? Explore all of our coffee blends now available in Grounded Packaging’s Wastemade™ line! ♻️ ☕️
