For packaging manufacturer The Bag Broker, sustainability is not just a product offering but a core value that CEO and Founder Holger Nygaard lives by every day.
Embracing sustainability from the top down, The Bag Broker Founder Holger Nygaard avoids air travel, follows a vegan diet, and is committed to closing the loop on environmental impact. Naturally, this ethos extends to the company’s sustainable packaging products.
What’s more, with roots in the specialty coffee scene as a coffee machine salesman, Holger knows how to make a bag of beans stand out from the crowd.
The company has broken ground since its beginnings in 2004, including launching the first compostable bag in Australia. Today, its range includes a variety of sustainable coffee packaging, such as compostable, biodegradable, recyclable, and reusable options, available in box bottom, side gusset, and quad seal bags as well as stand up pouches. These have been designed to maintain freshness while reducing environmental impact.
More recently, The Bag Broker launched mono-material bags made from recyclable polyethylene (PE) and barrier paper bags, made from kraft paper with PVAL (polyvinyl alcohol) barriers. Holger says these alternatives to traditional multi-layered bags help improve Australia’s recycling system, with barrier paper bags offering moisture resistance while reducing petroleum-based plastic use, though less durable.
He emphasises that although compostability is beneficial, it will not be rewarded on its own.
“As environmentalism is heading towards circularity and recyclability, this means governments are not going to promote compostability by itself, unless it can fit inside a recyclability framework,” says Holger.
In addition to sustainability, freshness is at the forefront of innovation at The Bag Broker, with packaging solutions prioritising the preservation of coffee quality and taste.
“For most specialty coffee roasters, freshness is a key selling point, and these bags are well-suited for packaging and shipping freshly roasted coffee,” he says.
“They offer an excellent solution for maintaining quality over the typical timeframe before the coffee is consumed, making them a great choice for direct-to-consumer or boutique roasteries.”
Another hallmark of The Bag Broker’s range, particularly in products such as mono-material or barrier paper bags, is its high level of customisability, which enables businesses to tailor packaging to their unique branding and functional needs.
Holger says The Bag Broker team are experts in making each roaster shine through its custom packaging solutions and blending their unique identity with their environmental goals. The natural texture of the kraft paper provides a rustic, eco-conscious aesthetic that can be appealing to environmentally aware consumers.
“We take a collaborative and consultative approach when working with coffee roasters and brands to ensure their packaging aligns with both their branding and sustainability objectives,” says Holger.
First, The Bag Broker team works to understand the unique needs of each customer, including their design vision and the functional requirements of the packaging. The team then advise the client on how to achieve impactful, visually appealing designs while considering the environmental impact.
“For instance, we guide them on the types of inks and finishes that are compatible with recyclable or compostable materials,” he says.
“Our dedicated artwork team work closely with customers to ensure their branding is beautifully represented, whether it’s through vibrant graphics or subtle designs.”
And when it comes to selecting the right option for the client, the team are well equipped to educate on the properties and benefits of various materials, helping them choose options that align with their goals.
Whether it’s selecting recyclable mono-material bags, kerbside-recyclable barrier paper, or integrating post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, they provide expert recommendations tailored to the client’s needs.
Going forward, Holger says the company will continue its sustainability trajectory, with plans to develop innovative solutions that enhance both recyclability and barrier properties of coffee packaging.
“One notable example is our introduction of packaging partially made from PCR plastics. Here, we’re working to reduce the reliance on virgin plastics to contribute to a more circular economy while maintaining the functional integrity of the packaging,” he says.
But a key focus, according to Holger, is improving the barrier properties of the company’s barrier paper bags and hoping to one day see them on the supermarket shelf.
“While these bags are already suitable for many specialty coffee applications, our ultimate goal is to create a solution suitable and stable enough for a supermarket shelf,” he says.
“This would make them a viable alternative for extended shelf life without compromising sustainability or recyclability.”
For more information, visit thebagbroker.com.au
This article appears in the February/March 2025 edition of BeanScene. Subscribe HERE.
