Thoughtfully made for coffee lovers, by coffee lovers.
After more than 20 years in the coffee and café industry—including the last 7 running a central city espresso bar—we’ve had more than our fair share of conversations about coffee packaging.
We’ve talked with roasters, home brewers, café owners, and zero-waste champions about what works, what doesn’t, and what’s still missing.
And so, after listening and learning, we created something new.
♻️ Meet the SammyBags Reusable Coffee Pouch
From espresso ninjas to Aeropress addicts and pour-over punks, Aotearoa’s coffee scene is packed with passion—and strong opinions. So it’s no surprise that coffee packaging sparks as much debate as brew methods.
You’ve seen it all: foil bags, tins, glass jars, laminated paper, recyclable plastics, even compostable bioplastics. Some of these—like tins and jars—are reusable and have their place.
But if you’re after something lightweight, collapsible, durable, and designed for refills on the go, we’ve got you covered with our zero-waste, reusable washable paper coffee pouches.
Naturally, the first two questions we hear are:
“Will it keep my coffee fresh?” and “Is it airtight?”
Our honest answer? “Yeah, nah.” 😉
Let us explain.
Here’s the thing: while our pouches seal well, they’re not airtight. But freshness isn’t just about sealing out air. You can have stale coffee in a vacuum-packed bag, and vibrant, complex flavours from beans stored in a simple, well-kept pouch. Why? Because time is the real culprit.
From the moment coffee is roasted, it starts to age. Flavour peaks after a few days, then gradually fades. The best advice we’ve heard from roasters? Buy small, buy fresh, and drink it within a week or two. Keep your beans in a cool, dry, dark place—and enjoy the sweet spot.
So no, our pouches aren’t vacuum-sealed. But they’re sealed enough—and they come with a whole heap of other benefits worth thinking about.
💡 Why Choose SammyBags Coffee Pouches?
We’ve followed a similar idea to the KeepCup model. You own it, reuse it, and help change the system by changing your habits.
Our pouches come in 250g, 500g, and 1kg sizes.
Here’s what makes them worth reaching for:
- ✅ Reusable & Zero-Waste – A genuine alternative to single-use coffee bags.
- 🎒 Lightweight & Compact – Folds flat when empty, perfect for refills on foot or by bike.
- 🧵 Durable & Guaranteed – Tough and built to last. If the stitching or fasteners give out, we’ll replace or repair it. [Our Guarantee →]
- 🪵 Crafted with Character – Looks like paper, wears like leather, and gains a rich, tactile patina that tells your coffee story over time.
- 🤝 Waste-Reducing Partnerships – The more you use it, the more your roaster saves on packaging—and the less ends up in landfill.
- ☕ Small Roaster Approved – Loved by independent roasters who value quality and want to walk the talk on sustainability.
- 🌱 No Greenwashing Here – Just practical, transparent design that encourages better habits.
👥 Coffee Culture, Reimagined
More and more roasters are using our pouches not just to reduce waste, but to deepen the story they’re telling their customers—one of care, intention, and change.
As someone who’s worked behind the espresso machine for decades, we know what matters to both baristas and customers.
If you’re a coffee company looking to align your packaging with your values, we’d love to chat. Check out our co-branding options here →
If you’re a coffee drinker, and ready to ditch disposables for good—you’re in the right place. Grab your own pouch here →
Together, we’re nudging the coffee world toward better habits.
💬 Got thoughts?
We’re always up for a good coffee chat. Whether you’re a roaster, barista, cyclist, or someone just trying to waste less—we’d love to hear from you.
👉 Reach out here →
Ngā mihi,
David, Sammy & Pieta – The SammyBags Team 💛