Hills Bros Is First MZB Coffee Brand Using 100 Compostable Pods

PORTSMOUTH, VA -- Hills Bros. coffee hit the market in April as the first coffee available in Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA Inc.'s certified 100% compostable pods. MZB's Purpod100, developed by Club Coffee of Canada, is certified to break down in less than 84 days in municipal composting facilities, returning the product to the soil.

Certification by the Biodegradable Products Institute is what reportedly differentiates the new Hills Bros. coffee pods from competitors in the U.S. marketplace. BPI-certified compostable products meet independent testing and verification, according to scientific standards for "compostability." The BPI logo, which is displayed on certified-compostable products and packaging, includes an ID number for each company that can be identified on BPI's online catalog.

Owned by MZB, Hills Bros. coffee in the Purpod100 format is compatible with all Keurig K-Cup brewers. MZB maintains a website -- coffeecomposting.com -- that contains educational videos and links to sites about composting and helps consumers search for nearby composting facilities.

One of the nation's largest coffee roasters, Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA retail brands include Chock full o'Nuts, Hills Bros., Segafredo Zanetti, Kauai Coffee, MJB and Chase & Sanborn. Headquartered in Portsmouth, VA, the company produces proprietary and private-label coffee, tea and drink mix for customers in all retail and foodservice channels throughout North America and around the world.