Waldner North America (WNA) has partnered with Cambio Roasters to launch the first aluminium coffee pods designed for Keurig Dr Pepper brewers, known as K-cups, reported Sustainable Packaging News.

The K-cups, led by Cambio Roasters' Kevin Hartley, former chief innovation officer at Keurig, leverage WNA's custom-engineered filling and sealing equipment.

The shift from plastic to aluminium K-cups in North America is a step forward in reducing environmental impact.

Hartley highlights the urgency of this advancement, stating that 40 million plastic coffee pods end up in landfills and oceans daily. Aluminium, in contrast, has an impressive recycling rate, with over 60% of all aluminium ever produced still in use today.

Aluminium's apparent superiority as a packaging material is not limited to its recyclability. It also excels in preserving the quality of the coffee by providing a superior barrier against oxygen, light, and moisture. This ensures the coffee's aroma, flavour, and freshness are maintained for a longer period.

WNA CEO Julian Stauffer elaborated on the collaboration between Waldner's engineers and Cambio Roasters to create a recyclable and compost-friendly packaging solution.

The introduction of these coffee pods addresses the growing concern over the environmental impact of single-use plastic pods, said Cambio Roasters.

Despite efforts to recycle, only a reported 5% of plastics in the US are repurposed. By 2050, plastics in the oceans are projected to outnumber fish by volume.

Cambio Roasters' aluminium coffee pods present an alternative that is compatible with single-serve brewers and designed for easy recycling.

In September 2024, the US Securities and Exchange Commission fined Keurig $1.5m for making reportedly inaccurate recyclability claims about its K-cup pods.