GSIA’s FNSB Recycling (and reuse) Guide

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Burlap Sacks

Cloth / Textiles
Free pick-up

Accepted at 1 location

Burlap sacks are natural fiber bags made from jute, hemp, or flax that are woven into bags used to transport coffee and other crops.

Source: thequeenbean.blog : Burlap coffee sack: the upcyclable, recyclable, eco-friendly coffee bean data file. – Coffee with the Queen (1)

Burlap Sacks Summary

Also known as: raw coffee bean bags

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Accepted Locations

North Pole Coffee Roasting Company logo
North Pole Coffee Roasting Company
Free pick-up
ResidentialNOT ACCEPTEDBusinessNOT ACCEPTED
Address: 1890 Marika Rd., Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Sat-Sun Closed
DoCall first to make sure burlap sacks are availale for pickup
Don'tDo not go to other locations than our roasting plant on Marika Rd. for burlap sacks.
See details ›

Last updated on July 16, 2026 by Green Star GM

About Burlap Sacks

What it is

Burlap is considered sustainable because it comes from natural plant fibers, is biodegradable, reusable, and requires fewer chemical treatments compared to synthetic fabrics. Green coffee is generally shipped in large jute sacks, which typically carry 60kg of beans. These sacks have been used for coffee transport since the 1800s and remain an eco-friendly packaging choice.(1, 3, 8)

How it’s recycled

Burlap bags can be recycled and converted to jute fibers, with uses including insulation, furniture finishing, and buffing. One common way to recycle burlap is through mechanical recycling, in which the fabric is shredded into small pieces that can be re-spun into new yarns. However, most burlap sacks are reused or upcycled rather than formally recycled.(4, 5)

How to prepare it

Hand wash burlap sacks delicately in warm soapy water, rinse in cold water and then hang out to dry. The simplest method of cleaning is to shake out and hang to air in the breeze, which should be sufficient for garden uses. You can also sprinkle baking powder over the surface to soak up any smells.(9, 10)

Common mistakes

Never put burlap sacks in the washing machine. Machine washing can result in a web of burlap fibers and twisted remnants, with fibers continuing to shed in the machine for weeks. Machine washing is not recommended since natural jute fibers are easily damaged by the harsh atmosphere, and burlap material produces large amounts of lint that may damage the washing machine.(10)

Environmental impact

Burlap is 100% biodegradable in its natural state and breaks down over time when exposed to elements such as sunlight, moisture, and microorganisms. Microbes in soil and water can break burlap down within months to a couple of years. Jute is biodegradable and unlike plastic, which can take hundreds of years to break down, jute will naturally decompose over time.(6, 7, 8)

Did you know?

Each burlap coffee sack makes around 700 standard cups of coffee.(1)

Sources & additional reading

  1. Burlap coffee sack: the upcyclable, recyclable, eco-friendly coffee bean data file. – Coffee with the Queen thequeenbean.blog
  2. Burlap vs Jute: What’s the Difference Between These Natural Fibers? - ReBurlap reburlap.com
  3. A guide to reusing green coffee sacks mtpak.coffee
  4. Jute Fiber | Miller Waste Mills, Inc. millerwastemills.com
  5. Can hessian burlap fabric be recycled? - Blog jarhootex.com
  6. Is Burlap Biodegradable? Unearthing a Feel-Good Fact howtodispose.info
  7. Biodegradable Burlap: How Fast Does It Decompose? juteforgood.com
  8. The Environmental Benefits of Jute in Burlap Packaging – Zaza Coffee zazacoffee.com
  9. Preparing Burlap for Sewing and Crafting | Bulap Bag Lady burlapbaglady.wordpress.com
  10. How to Wash Burlap Coffee Sacks? coffee-prices.com
  11. Five cool ways to upcycle old coffee sacks popsci.com
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Address: 2128 Van Horn Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm; Sat 9am-3pm

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

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Contact business for details about collection and dropoff options.

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Address: 401 E Van Horn Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
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Hours: 9am-5pm M-F

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Recycling FacilityFNSB residents and businesses only
See location details ›
Address: 1855 Marika Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10:00am-5:30pm, Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm, Closed Sunday-Monday

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Address: 1890 Marika Rd., Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Sat-Sun Closed

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