Savor Brands runs the R+R® Upcycle Program to keep empty coffee bags in use and out of landfills. Shoppers bring back their used coffee bags to participating roasters, drop them off at the in store R+R® box to get repurposed through our trusted partners. It is a simple loop that supports the planet and supports local cafes at the same time.
How the R+R® Upcycle Program Works
- Bring back empty, clean coffee bags to a shop with an R+R® return box.
- Staff collect bags and prepare them for upcycling.
- Our repurposing partners give the plastics a second life. ByFusion makes building blocks from recovered plastic. HydroBlox manufactures drainage products from recycled plastic.
- This cycle repeats each time you finish a bag of beans.
Benefits of In Store Bag Returns
When customers bring bags back to the cafe, it creates a steady reason to visit again and again. That repeat foot traffic turns quick drop offs into new sales for drinks, beans, and gear while strengthening the bond between staff and regulars. It also gives baristas a simple way to explain how the program works and to celebrate progress together. With a visible return box, there is no confusion about what to do with empty bags, which keeps trash cans cleaner and sets a clear standard for the neighborhood. More reasons to visit, which boosts sales and community vibes.- Real conversations between staff and guests about sustainability.
- Clear collection points that keep waste out of street bins.
- Easy routine that turns recycling into a habit.
Why Repurposing Beats Landfill
Repurposing packaging stretches the life of materials that already exist, which means fewer new plastics need to be made and less waste ends up buried. It is a small habit with a big ripple effect. Each returned bag shows others that everyday choices matter and that local businesses can be part of the solution. Over time, those small actions add up to cleaner communities, lighter waste streams, and a culture that values resources instead of throwing them away.- Cuts the amount of plastic that ends up buried or burned.
- Turns spent packaging into useful products instead of waste.
- Shows customers a visible way to help the environment.
- Helps shops report real progress on sustainability goals.
What Happens to the Bags
Each shop collects clean and empty bags in the R+R® box, then batch them for processing with trusted partners. From there, suitable plastics are transformed into practical products. ByFusion turns compatible materials into sturdy blocks used in building projects. HydroBlox converts recycled plastics into drainage pieces that help move water where it needs to go. The result is a clear second life for coffee bags and a process customers can see and understand.- ByFusion transforms suitable plastics into sturdy construction blocks used for projects like walls and small structures.
- HydroBlox turns recycled plastics into drainage planks that move water efficiently and are built to last.
Six California Roasting Shops With R+R Return Boxes
Use this list when you are ready to return your bags. ASIP Coffee Roaster Co. Location: Merced, California DRINK COFFEE DO STUFF Locations: Truckee and South Lake Tahoe, California Linea Coffee Roasting + Caffe Locations: San Francisco, California Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters Locations: Newbury Park and Oxnard, California Retrograde Coffee Roasters Location: Sebastopol, California Captain + Stoker Coffee Roasteries Locations: Monterey and Pacific Grove, California
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