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Share your thoughts about Kenco's Eco Refill pack here and be entered into our prize draw..

111 replies

OliviaMumsnet · 26/10/2009 17:09

Some of you will remember that last year we ran a campaign with Kenco to send three lucky Mumsnetters to visit coffee farms in Costa Rica.

Well, Kenco were so delighted with the response that they now want to hear from Mumsnetters' about sustainability and the packaging for their instant coffee range.

Kenco has recently launched a new resealable Eco Refill pack and wants to find out what Mumsnetters think about it!

Everyone who posts their thoughts on this subject will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win £250 of vouchers for a store of their choice.

Some background and information....The Eco Refill pack has 97% less packaging weight compared to Kenco jars .

The packs themselves can be sent to Kenco free of charge for TerraCycle® recycling and for every pack returned they will donate 2p to the charity of your choice.
The Eco Refill pack is designed to replace the traditional glass jar that instant coffee comes in and the idea is you buy/ have a jar that you decant the granules into from the Eco Refill Pack.

Please add your own thoughts on this product and on sustainability and packaging for instant coffee below, but here are some questions to get you thinking!
What do you think about this?
What do you think is good about this versus buying glass jars every time you buy coffee?
What is bad about it?
Do you think this is something all coffee manufacturers should do?
What else could they do to improve the sustainability?
Do you think this is a product you would buy?
If so why? If not, why not?
Over to you......
MN Towers

OP posts:
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MrsWeasley · 26/10/2009 23:03

What do you think about this?Excellent idea
What do you think is good about this versus buying glass jars every time you buy coffee? lighter, easier to transport, no broken glass if dropped/knocked
What is bad about it? nothing unless it splits
Do you think this is something all coffee manufacturers should do? yes
Do you think this is a product you would buy? definately
If so why? lighter, Less to throw away or recyle hope this is helpful

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onadietcokebreak · 26/10/2009 23:08

Excellent idea and I hate coffee! Terracycle idea needs to be expanded to more products.

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bonkerz · 26/10/2009 23:32

What do you think about this?
really good idea

What do you think is good about this versus buying glass jars every time you buy coffee? whilst you can now recycle glass via home recycling service its alot easier to just reuse the glass jars and refill!

What is bad about it? resealing if cannot fit all coffee in jar or tin is an issue

Do you think this is something all coffee manufacturers should do? definately! anything to reduce packaging is good!

What else could they do to improve the sustainability? special packs with a reusable tin!
Do you think this is a product you would buy? yes but will have to but a large glass jar of coffee first to have something to refill!

If so why? If not, why not?
lighter to transport home, less packaging.....helping the environment whilst still getting my caffeine fix!

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YourCallIsImportant · 26/10/2009 23:36

I've got a real bee in my bonnet about Kenco's eco refill packs actually...

I saw a big display in the supermarket last week, with the glass jar on sale for £4.88 and the eco refill on sale for £3.58 - both prices displayed prominently beside the products.

My first thought was 'what a brilliant idea, by cutting out the cost of the glass jar, and the transportation and storage of the product, and other costs, they've managed to cut nearly a pound of the cost of the product."

Then, when I picked up the Eco Refill to buy it, I realised that the glass jar has 200 grams of coffee in it and costs £2.44/100g* but the Eco Refill bag only has 150 grams in it and costs £2.39/100g*.

I think that the way that Kenco is promoting this product may lead customers to believe that there's a significant cost saving to be made by buying the Eco Refill, but in real terms, buying 200g of coffee in a Refill bag will only save me 10 pence against the cost of the glass jar.

I wouldn't mind if they were promoting a like for like product for 10 pence less, but the way they are promoting it is misleading.

Rant over.

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LadyEvenstarsCauldren · 26/10/2009 23:43

This is coming from a coffee addict who has spent ages finding the perfect coffee!!

What do you think about this? - Brilliant Idea

What do you think is good about this versus buying glass jars every time you buy coffee? - Well as I said I am a coffee addict and this sure cuts down on the waste i.e glass jars I throw out.

What is bad about it? - Nothing that I can think of as of yet.

Do you think this is something all coffee manufacturers should do? - Yes, it would make less waste for a start.

What else could they do to improve the sustainability? - I think as it stands they have done pretty well, with 97% less packaging waste and half the non recyclable materials that a jar has.

Do you think this is a product you would buy? - Yes I would, I can't stand waste and this sure cuts down on it.

If so why? If not, why not

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theDeadPirateRoberts · 27/10/2009 00:03

Yes it's a good idea - I prefer to re-use rather than recycle. However, how about taking the savings on packaging and making more of an effort to up the amount of their beans from rainforest alliance, or another creditable fair-trade source? 'Cos I still won't be buying Kenco till they do.

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Tortington · 27/10/2009 01:06

i like good instant coffee that isn't nestle.

i also like this good quality product to be value for money.

if it saves the environment - bonus and i may very well chose that product over another quality product for this resaon.

but make no mistake - i want to save money.

so if the assertions below are true, that the marketing is misleading and i only save 10p then i would be more than a litte pissed off at Kenco.

please pass this on

and enter me for prize draw natch

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4GHASTLYGHOULSandnotout · 27/10/2009 07:20

It's a good idea, I prefer to reuse and recycle so would be ideal. I too think the saving should be passed on to the consumer.

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tibni · 27/10/2009 07:36

I too noticed the smaller size of the refill. The original refills they launched was the same size as the jars but have always only been a few pence cheaper and sometimes they work out more expensive when compared to Special Offers. Although I am in favour of the refills I am not going to pay more for them.

I have bought the refills and didn't know the packaging could be returned for charity and none of the charities that I have involvement with have mentioned it.

Overall a good idea. Being a coffee addict I take a refill on holiday with me, less space and weight and I can get a decent coffee the moment I arrive (I take it black so only need hot water ).

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emmaand3 · 27/10/2009 07:38

Its a great idea, especially as I always just tipcoffee into my coffee jar and therefore do not use the glass jars coffee normally comes in.

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TombliBOOOOOObs · 27/10/2009 07:41

It is a great idea, saw it advertised on a billboard the other day and wondered why it hadn't happened before.

I like the idea of returning the packs to Kenco for the 2p to charity, but don't think may people actually will.

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gorionine · 27/10/2009 07:49

"What do you think about this?"
I think it is a very good idea. Back home there is a lot of products that are in eco refills (mostly shover gels...) good to see that packaging on food can bwe redced as well.

"What do you think is good about this versus buying glass jars every time you buy coffee?
What is bad about it?"
I know that the glass jarres can be recycled (minus plastic top) I have not yet baught the refill as my jarre is still full so I do not know if the new lighter packaging can be recycled or not but it cannot be worse to pot the new packaging in the bin than it is to throw the plasic lid of the jarre in the bin anyway, can it?

"Do you think this is something all coffee manufacturers should do?"
I think this is something that most food manufacturers should think off, not only coffee manufacturers, Ican think of cereal boxes for example, some already do sell them just in a bag, most still have the bag & a cardboard box (that can be recycled but still).

"What else could they do to improve the sustainability?"
Make sure the new packaging is recyclable. Make sure the coffee is from a fair trade plantation.

"Do you think this is a product you would buy?"
Yes I would

"If so why?"
I would buy it for the eco factor and because I do actually enjoy that make of coffee.

"If not, why not?"
The only reasons I could see for not buying it would be if I did not have a empty jarre at home to actually empty the eco packaging into .I would worry it would loose it taste or get soggy in the new packaging also it might be unnecessary to actually do so. Or if I actually did not like the taste of it.

I would not mind if the saving are not passed on to the consumers, as long as I knew that the people who worked on growing the coffee get decent enough wages.

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PavlovtheForgetfulCat · 27/10/2009 08:25

Please add your own thoughts on this product and on sustainability and packaging for instant coffee below, but here are some questions to get you thinking!
What do you think about this?
Great idea, long time coming imo. Not sure why it has taken so long to come up with it.

What do you think is good about this versus buying glass jars every time you buy coffee?
Uses less packaging - good for the environment,less glass in landfills as lots of people do not recycle.
Easier to carry, takes up less space, not so heavy.
Less packaging = potential reduced costs long term (or at least slower increase of costs rising).
Money gets donated to charity.

What is bad about it?
I am not exactly sure what Kenco will do with the packaging that gets sent back.

Do you think this is something all coffee manufacturers should do?
Yes! And other food manufacturers too!

What else could they do to improve the sustainability?
Oh I am not sure this early in the morning. I will ponder and repost on that one.

Do you think this is a product you would buy?
Already have.

If so why? If not, why not?
I bought it because it was on special offer tbh, but I would consider buying just the refills. I usually only buy Kenco when it is on offer. If I buy any full price coffee it is Fair Trade.

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goryminx · 27/10/2009 08:44

What do you think about this?

Looks good - good idea, great to be saving on packaging that just gets thrown into landfill.

What do you think is good about this versus buying glass jars every time you buy coffee?

Less waste, lighter and easier to transport home - no risk of breakage

What is bad about it?

Agree the cost per 100g is very misleading and a bit sneaky IMO. Call a spade a spade - oplease dont dress it up as though we are saving money when clearly we aren't. Its an insult to intelligence.

Do you think this is something all coffee manufacturers should do?

Yes please - esp whoever makes Carte Noire (prays it isnt Nestle)

What else could they do to improve the sustainability?

n/a

Do you think this is a product you would buy?

Possibly - although not a huge fan of kenco hbut would certainly try it

If so why? If not, why not?

New convenient product,

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Belo · 27/10/2009 08:54

What do you think about this? GREAT IDEA

What do you think is good about this versus buying glass jars every time you buy coffee?

Less packaging, and less weight to carry home. I often do my shopping by foot

What is bad about it? The glass jars can be recycled in the borough where I live, the plastic can't.

Do you think this is something all coffee manufacturers should do? Yes, and expand to other product areas too.

What else could they do to improve the sustainability? Can't think

Do you think this is a product you would buy?
If so why? If not, why not? Will definitely give it a go.

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JulesJules · 27/10/2009 09:05

I saw this in the supermarket the other day and thought what a good idea.

Especially that you can return the eco pack to them, that is great, love the charity donation. (Although there is an eco cost in returning something, I suppose.)

Saves on glass, weight, transport costs - all good. I do think it should be a little bit cheaper still than buying in the glass container - as others have said.

I am definitely considering getting some - but will only carry on buying if I love the coffee.

I think it would be great if other coffee producers did the same - all food producers, actually - most stuff is ridiculously overpackaged.

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missorinoco · 27/10/2009 09:23

I think it is a great idea.

I would expect a significant reduction in cost as they do nothave to pay for the glass jars. I would accept a woeful price reduction if the difference was going to charity/improving sustainable sources.

I am wondering why we send the package back to them for recycling and don't just recycle it ourselves....the carbon footprint would be less.

Would I buy it? - I would start if it was on offer, and continue if I liked it. I'm not a great instant Kenko fan, so it would take an offer to get me going.

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Furball · 27/10/2009 09:39

What do you think about this? - Great idea although I didn't know when I bought some coffee and got the refill free, the pack could be sent back to manufacturer. It would be interesting to know what they do with that packaging and if it can be recycled.

What do you think is good about this versus buying glass jars every time you buy coffee? _ Great idea, no heavy packaging and also transportation logistics must be able to have more per lorry load, saving fuel and running costs into the equation.

What is bad about it? - Don't know

Do you think this is something all coffee manufacturers should do? - I think it's something ALL manufacturers should do. We don't want over packaged stuff. I suppose the glass jar could be recycled and not put into landfill like millions of plastic un-degradable bin liners and bags, grrrrrrr.

What else could they do to improve the sustainability? - Don't know

Do you think this is a product you would buy? If the price is right yes. I usually buy whats on offer - Have you seen the price of coffee these days?

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Fennel · 27/10/2009 09:53

It's always good to see reusable packaging.

BUT if you're bothered about fair trade and eco things aren't you already likely to be buying one of the "proper" fair trade brands of coffee?

I suspect it's a bit of a "greenwash", Kenco doesn't actually have very good fair trade environmental credentials.

I agree with the people who say it should be cheaper to buy the refills than the original, or people just won't bother. (given that the people who are ACTUALLY bothered about the environment and fair trade are probably already not buying Kenco)

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Pluginbaby · 27/10/2009 09:56

Great idea, wish other companies would follow suit.
Don't drink Kenco though only drink fairtrade. Hopefully other firms will follow suit with the packaging and Kenco will follow suit with fairtrade.

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bruffin · 27/10/2009 10:14

I saw this in Sainsubury the other day and thought it a very good idea. However we only drink the Kenco Decaffenated and Kenco do not do the ecofil for decaf, so was disappointed as they had a very good special offer on ie buy a normal jar and get ecofil free.

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DwayneDibbley · 27/10/2009 10:30

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mwahahahamwahahahallyroger · 27/10/2009 10:33

Think it's genius, BUT I am a wierdy freak who actually loves empty coffee jars for keeping all manner of stuff in so I hope this doesn't spell the death knell for all glass coffee jars!

Generally though I am in favour of any company which makes a detrmined, genuine effort to use less packaging.

I don't use a great deal of instant coffee, but when i do buy it, think this would sway me. Especuilly if the coffee happened to be Fairtrade too.....

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woowa · 27/10/2009 10:50

What do you think about this?

I think this is an ingenious idea, and can't believe no-one has thought of it before!

What do you think is good about this versus buying glass jars every time you buy coffee?

I particularly like the decreased weight - when you are pregnant, or with children, or just not very strong, it can be hard to carry all the shopping into the house, but this will be so much lighter.

What is bad about it?

The only thing is that I use nice big coffee jars to bottle homemade jam, so i'd miss them. But that's a small downside in comparison to the decreased wastage.
Do you think this is something all coffee manufacturers should do?

Absolutely they should all do this - and I expct they will all jump on the bandwagon now!

Do you think this is a product you would buy?

If so why? If not, why not?

We buy coffee beans online for homegrinding, but we do have instant in the house for those time when we just can't be bothered to get the cafetiere out. Kenco would now be considered as a strong alternative to what we currently by since it compares so favourably in its packaging.

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Lionstar · 27/10/2009 10:53

What do you think about this?

Any attempt at reducing waste is good BUT I'm always wary of the 'dressed as green' dilemma. For example 97% less packaging sounds good, but is the new packaging more damaging to produce and is it less likely to be recycled?

What do you think is good about this versus buying glass jars every time you buy coffee?
Storage and transporting is easier. Bit dissapointed to hear there isn't much of a cost saving - does this mean it is just as expensive to produce as glass jars?

What is bad about it?
Plastic is less likely to be recycled (though appreciate even the jars had plastic lids). Even if it can be sent back to Kenco, realistically how many people are going to do this. Plus sending it back has an eco-impact, and what are Kenco going to do with the packaging? My suggestion is that supermarkets should liase with producers to collect all this type of packaging waste. People can just return clean, empty packaging next time they go to shop.

Do you think this is something all coffee manufacturers should do?
Yes as long as it is truely a good environmental option and not just green-marketing

What else could they do to improve the sustainability?
Make sure they have robust and well managed fair-trade policies

Do you think this is a product you would buy? If so why? If not, why not?
Probably not because I tend to go for fair-trade options. Also am another decaff drinker and seems they don't do a decaff version (even if they did I bet it would't be the water-filter decaff process, they would use icky chemicals - fussy bint me)

My final point is that if you use the refill pack then get rid of the packaging you loose all the info about brand/ingredients/use by dates etc. What might be useful is a small peelable label stuck on the pack that you can remove and stick to your jar.

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