Coffee Silver Skin Used in Eco-Friendly Napkins

Coffee shops and environmentally-conscious consumers alike face a recurring challenge: how to reduce waste without sacrificing quality or comfort. One surprising source of waste in coffee production—the thin, papery layer known as coffee silver skin—has found a practical new life beyond the roastery. In Japan, a creative partnership has turned this often-discarded material into something you can actually hold: a high-performance, sustainable napkin for everyday use.

In late July 2024, select Tully’s Coffee locations in Japan began using napkins made with recycled coffee silver skin, produced through a collaboration between Mizobata Shikoinsatsu and Itoen. By early September, these napkins will be available nationwide. This innovation not only diverts waste but also reduces reliance on conventional wood pulp, offering a functional and tactile upgrade.

What Is Coffee Silver Skin?

Coffee silver skin is the thin, silvery outer layer that clings to green coffee beans. It’s a natural part of the bean, left behind after the outer fruit pulp is removed during processing. Most of it falls off during mechanical hulling, and any remaining is typically shed during roasting. Previously considered a byproduct with limited use, silver skin is now being upcycled into new materials—including napkins.

How the Coffee Silver Skin Napkins Are Made

The process begins with collecting leftover coffee silver skin from coffee beverage companies. These scraps are then transported to paper mills, where they are blended with traditional paper pulp. The resulting material is used to manufacture napkins that retain the functional properties of regular paper products while incorporating the recycled coffee component. These napkins are then distributed to Tully’s Coffee locations across Japan.

Why These Napkins Perform Better

According to the creators, the coffee silver skin napkins offer notable advantages over standard paper napkins. Users report that the texture feels softer and more pleasant to the touch. More importantly, the addition of silver skin significantly improves the napkins’ absorbency—making them both more functional and more sustainable.

Environmental Impact of the Initiative

By integrating coffee silver skin into napkin production, the project helps reduce the demand for virgin wood pulp. While exact figures on paper savings were not disclosed, the initiative represents a meaningful step toward reducing waste in the coffee supply chain. Each batch of napkins repurposes material that would otherwise be discarded during coffee processing and roasting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is coffee silver skin?

Coffee silver skin is the thin, silvery husk that covers green coffee beans. It naturally occurs and is usually removed during the hulling and roasting processes. It was traditionally considered a waste product but is now being reused in products like napkins.

Which companies created the coffee silver skin napkins?

The napkins were developed through a partnership between Mizobata Shikoinsatsu, a printing and paper product company, and Itoen, a beverage company. They collaborated to recycle coffee silver skin and integrate it into paper napkin production.

Where can you get these napkins?

The coffee silver skin napkins were first introduced in select Tully’s Coffee locations in Japan in late July 2024. They became available for nationwide sale in Japan starting in early September 2024.

Are the napkins more absorbent than normal ones?

Yes, according to the makers, the coffee silver skin napkins have improved absorbency compared to standard paper napkins. They also offer a softer, more pleasant texture, making them more functional and comfortable to use.

How does this help the environment?

Using recycled coffee silver skin reduces the need for virgin wood pulp in napkin production. This helps lower the environmental impact of paper manufacturing and gives a sustainable second life to a byproduct of coffee processing.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Brewing at Home

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for a bright, floral cup with citrus and stone fruit notes, or their Colombia Huila for balanced caramel and nutty tones with medium acidity. Both single origins highlight the qualities of well-processed beans—just like the thoughtful reuse of silver skin in these napkins. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.