April 22, 2008 - PJ's Coffee has begun packaging its product in new resource-efficient, three-ply coffee bags. The three-layer bags, made of polyester, foil, and a polyethylene sealant, require 10% less material and use 15% less energy to produce compared to traditional four-ply bags, according to Sonoco, the manufacturer.

Thanks to the energy savings, the Sunoco coffee bags also produce 10% few carbon emissions during manufacture. "We are looking at further optimizations including foil-free structures that may deliver more than 50% less carbon emissions," says Angela Adams, manager of Sonoco's flexible packaging segment. 

The new three-ply bag is "a first step" in a new generation of more sustainable coffee packaging from Sonoco, according to Adams. "When it comes to coffee packaging, we are focused on thinner, high-performance structures, " she says.