Loblaw makes its private label coffee packaging sustainable

Loblaw Companies Limited, Canada’s largest grocery retailer, has announced a new step towards sustainability. 

The company is overhauling the coffee aisle by replacing non-recyclable packaging on its own brand coffee products with a first-of-its-kind in Canada paper-based solution. Available in a number of categories on shelf now, all 35 private brand coffee varieties from President's Choice and no name, including whole bean and ground coffee, are transitioning to this innovative packaging.

The announcement follows a similar initiative from Southeastern Grocers. The parent company of Winn Dixie, Fresco y Más and Harveys Supermarket will eliminate polystyrene and make packaging reusable, recyclable or industrially compostable for all its private label products by 2028.

Produced by Loblaw's long-time partner Club Coffee, the new AromaPak with Boardio technology is made with a minimum of 80% paper content from renewable, recyclable and sustainable Forest Stewardship Council sourced tree fibers.  This new packaging has earned President’s Choice a 2022 Global Packaging Award for Package Innovation and Sustainable Design.

"The PC brand is known for innovation. While that has always meant having the newest flavors and food trends, it increasingly means leading the way with sustainable packaging," said Kathlyne Ross, VP of product development and innovation at Loblaw Companies Limited. "We know the impact our products can have on the environment and we are committed to being part of the solution. This new recyclable packaging is another step on our journey in eliminating waste and reducing greenhouse gas emissions across our operations."

Loblaw has established various packaging commitments to help fight climate change, including ensuring all control brands and in-store plastic packaging will be reusable or recyclable by 2025. 

Loblaw operates more than 2,400 locations throughout Canada, and employs almost 200,000 people.