University of British Columbia develops coffee pod that composts in 35 days

In Canada, a researcher from the University of British Columbia has invented the NEXE pod, a coffee pod which composts completely in as little as 35 days in industrial compost. The pods are made from two specially engineered components: an outer fiber jacket and a bioplastic inner capsule designed to break down into carbon dioxide, water and organic biomass – leaving no microplastic behind.

There were a number of challenges to consider. Many compostable pods already on the market are soft-bottomed, exposing the coffee grounds to moisture and air and allowing them to go stale quickly. They also hold fewer coffee grounds than plastic pods, which can lead to a relatively weak brew.

The team eventually settled on a two-part solution:
1. a bioplastic inner capsule made from polylactic acid (PLA) compounded with other natural ingredients that addresses moisture, air and heat issues and holds a large volume of coffee grounds.
2. an outer jacket made from bamboo that still looks and feels like plant fiber.

The pods are compatible with all Keurig K-Cup brewing systems and sold out of their entire launch inventory in one day. The company recently announced Nespresso-compatible pods set to begin production later in 2021.