Product: Home Compostable Aqueous Coffee Cups
Just recently, Bear Bones Coffee marked its milestone of a decade in the industry. Founded by Trent Goodwin, the original idea behind Bear Bones was not just about serving a great cup of coffee but also about elevating the café experience. Today, you’ll find Bear Bones Coffee in cafes all over Australia, whether branded or white-labelled.
A decade of dedication to the bean, community and the industry
“Bear Bones has just hit our 10th year,” Trent shares. “The idea behind Bear Bones Coffee was to provide really good coffee but also give cafes the service they deserve. We felt Queensland needed more specialty coffee roasters and we knew there was space for more players at the table.” With a focus on supplying high-quality, consistent products and providing hands-on training and business support to clients, Bear Bones has cultivated strong partnerships over the years. “Our focus is to supply a high-quality, consistent product, while providing our clients with hands-on training and business support,” Trent adds.
Looking at sustainability
For Bear Bones, sustainability is really important to get right in terms of business practices. Trent outlines some of the measures they’re taking to be more sustainable, including recycling soft plastics, transitioning to recyclable packaging, reusing boxes, and adopting home compostable cups. “Sustainability options are a priority for us and we’re continuing to look at what this means for us as a total business,” Trent said.
The packaging dilemma
Balancing sustainable packaging with functionality is a challenge many coffee businesses face. “The reality is that it’s hard to find packaging that is secure enough and allows the coffee to stay at the highest quality, while also being environmentally friendly,” Trent admits.
The shift to EcoBarista’s home compostable aqueous coffee cups was a natural progression for Bear Bones. “Once the product came out, it was a no-brainer for us,” Trent explains. The aqueous home compostable cups not only maintain quality but also align with their sustainability goals. “It makes sense to provide a product that is as simple as putting it straight in your bin knowing that it will naturally degrade.”
The sustainability landscape
Reflecting on the sustainability landscape, Trent notes the challenges faced by cafes and roasters. “The cost of goods has been increasing over the past few years, and it’s affecting our cafe partners,” he notes. ‘It’s a real challenge for businesses within this industry to make the right decisions from a sustainability perspective while also ensuring they’re maintaining profitability to ensure longevity. Which is why we love working with businesses like EcoBarista who are there to help us and our cafe partners navigate these challenges and find really good solutions.”
Words of advice for new cafes
For aspiring café owners, Trent offers valuable advice: “Talk to your roaster about the options out there. And choose a roaster that offers more than just good coffee.” He emphasises the importance of selecting a roaster who can provide insights into market trends, share success stories, and collaborate on growth initiatives.
As Bear Bones Coffee celebrates its journey of a decade, their commitment to quality, the coffee community, relationships and quality remains the same. With innovation, collaboration, and a passion for great coffee, Bear Bones continues to make its mark in the industry. We can’t wait to see where they’ll be in another 10 years.
