At Responsible Cafes, we’re all about finding great alternatives to single-use plastics. Today, we’re focusing on one of the most wasteful packaging items sold in coffee shops worldwide: the coffee bean bag. Why? Because in Australia, 55,000 cafés and restaurants use and sell on average 2.38 million sixty-kilogram bags in the 2025 financial year according to Statista. That’s a whopping 143 million one-kilo of coffee bean bags every single year!
Often single-use and primarily made from plastic, coffee bean bags are the pride and joy of coffee roasters. They hold their passionately roasted beans, after all. But does it really have to come packaged in single-use plastic?
Let’s spill the beans on this packaging problem and share the best reusable coffee bean bag we’ve found to help our Responsible Cafes and fellow keen beans ditch plastic for good!
A Reusable Alternative: Meet SammyBags
About 18 months ago, we received an email from David titled “World’s first reusable & washable paper coffee pouch”. It got us curious as we knew how bag coffee bean bags were for the environment.
Handmade in Aotearoa (New Zealand), SammyBags has created a beautiful range of reusable, washable bags for loaves, café treats, lunches and yes, coffee beans!
Crafted from FSC-approved kraft paper made of 60% cellulose and 30% synthetic latex, these bags use the same material as the back label on a pair of Levi’s jeans which is indeed long-lasting, reusable, and washable. Genius!
The Story Behind SammyBags, A Sister Social Enterprise
SammyBags supports two causes close to our hearts at Responsible Cafes: sustainability and mental health.
The brand began as a way to support Sam, an 18-year-old struggling with mental health. David and his wife Pieta discovered a durable kraft fabric while managing a Christchurch café, and with their experience in making clothes, they came up with the idea of creating reusable coffee bags that are both sustainable and do good.
“My wife Pieta and children met Sammy down at our local park on the swings. Sammy was in a dark place at the time, and Pieta reached out to her. Our relationship grew from there. As we were toying with the idea of developing reusable bags, it just seemed to make sense that we would invite Sammy to be a part of it,” says David to Bean Scene magazine
The Top 5 Benefits For Cafes To Introduce A Reusable Coffee Bean Bag
- Locals can BYO bags, reducing single-use waste and packaging costs.
- Encourage loyalty through refill programs.
- Elevate your brand as a sustainability leader.
- Stand out on your retail shelf with a unique, reusable product.
- Offer a thoughtful gift that every coffee lover would be thrilled to own.
For coffee lovers, it’s one more way to enjoy their daily brew without plastic and another packaging ticked off the list!
Why Cafes, Roasters (and Keen Beans) Love Them
Cafes around Australia and New Zealand are starting to stock SammyBags as a retail item and as part of a refill system (just like BYO cups!) The first Responsible Café to jump on board was Goodness Coffee Co in Aldinga, South Australia, one of our Gold Bean café!
SammyBags come in 250g, 500g and 1kg sizes and can be customised to your cafe’s branding with 4 background colours to choose from. For cafes, the minimum order is 50 bags of any style, colour and size and you can click here to request a quote for your cafe. As a Responsible Cafes you’ll get free shipping on your order.
White Whale Coffee Roasters in Cairns also jumped on board and we just visited them to check out how cool their bags looked:
“The pouches are moving fast! We had to adjust our retail pricing July 1st, in-line with the madness that is the green coffee market, and I think customers are now more compelled than ever to take advantage of our price-saving options.”
If you’re a keen bean and would like to purchase a Sammybags for yourself or to gift, click here where you’ll receive free shipping with the code AUSSIEBREW on the purchase of 2 or more bags. Offer valid only until the end of 2025.
How Does A Reusable Coffee Bean Bag Work?
Here’s how it works:
- A customer buys their first reusable coffee bean bag filled with beans or as a gift.
- Once it’s empty, they bring it back to the cafe to refill.
- Like BYO cups, the cafe can offer a BYO incentive or rewards loyal customers with a free coffee for example.
A reusable coffee bean bag is a simple idea that helps build community and loyalty while reducing packaging waste.
And customers love it! Not only because the bags look great and premium with a leather-like style, but because they feel good knowing they’re part of the solution.
FAQ
Will a Sammybags reusable coffee bean bag keep my coffee fresh?
While these bags seal well, they aren’t airtight. But freshness isn’t only about sealing out air, it’s mostly about time. From the moment coffee is roasted, it begins to age. Flavour peaks after a few days, then gradually fades.Our advice from roasters: buy small, buy fresh, and drink within one to two weeks. Keep your beans in a cool, dry, dark place.We personally use the 1kg bag and finish it within a month.
Where can I buy Sammybags for myself if my local cafe doesn’t stock them?
Head to their website to place an order. Buy two or more bags and use the code AUSSIEBREW for free shipping (valid until the end of 2025).
What is the best way to store coffee beans to keep them fresh?
Store them in a cool, dark, dry place like your pantry. Avoid spots with heat or direct sunlight, such as near the oven.
Is it better to keep coffee in the bag or in a jar?
Airtight containers made from ceramic, glass, or stainless steel are ideal for long-term storage. But if you buy beans regularly (fortnightly or monthly), a reusable bag like SammyBags is a convenient, low-waste option. Should you store coffee beans in the fridge?It might seem logical in hot Australian summers, but it’s not recommended. Coffee easily absorbs moisture and odours from the air, including fridge smells. You don’t want your next brew tasting like last night’s leftovers!
Does freezing coffee beans keep them fresh longer?
Freezing coffee is a widely debated topic among coffee enthusiasts, however, if done correctly, it can be a great way to extend the shelf life of the beans and preserve their flavor and aroma. Check out some tips for freezing coffee beans properly.
How long does coffee stay fresh after grinding?
About one week. Ground coffee starts oxidising immediately, losing its freshness and aroma over time so grind only what you need.
This blogpost is sponsored by SammyBags.
Passionate about composting and coloured bins/beans, Marion is the new captain of the Responsible Cafes ship in a post-covid world! She works hand in hand with councils, community groups and waste warriors to positively influence behaviour change and the future of packaging!