Time to wake up and smell the coffee: 6 zero waste coffee solutions
Coffee doesn’t need to create any waste to taste great!
By Nina Thomas
In May of 2017, People’s Design Lab asked people to nominate for the products that were most #designed4trash as well as provide their ideas for more sustainable alternatives. The top 3 most voted items would then receive their own campaign. Believe it or not, coffee capsules were voted number 3.
Many consider coffee to be an integral part of their daily routine. In fact, 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed globally, every day. This popular beverage has been transformed and rethought many times over, and the newest trend being seen in the coffee world is that of disposable coffee capsules. They gained popularity for their novelty and convenience, however this technology is extraordinarily unsustainable from start to finish.
Unlike normal coffee, every single serving requires a plastic capsule in which to hold the contents. This requires fossil fuel extraction, and energy to produce the cups. These capsules can only be used in machines designed specifically for them, hence there is also a decrease in the demand for these limited use coffee makers. Finally, the capsules are used one time and then thrown out.
Many of the companies that supply these capsules including Nescafé and Lavazza argue that the pods can be recycled. What they fail to mention is that in order to do so, the organic contents must be removed, which can only be done with a fair amount of effort. Along with this, not all facilities are equipped to recycle such small pieces.The saying “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” is perhaps an apt statement for this technology. Traditional coffee making methods have served the world well for hundreds of years, without the enormous plastic footprint. Here are a few alternative options –
6 ways to go zero waste with your morning coffee
1. Perhaps the least impactful of all coffee brewing methods is French press. Simply add some ground coffee and boiling water, allow to sit for a few minutes, and then press the plunger down to access your cup of wonderfully fresh, and plastic free coffee.
2. Drip coffee machines also have a smaller footprint than capsules and the filter used is almost always made of biodegradable paper. The ability to make a whole pot from just one filter is an added benefit
3. For those who savour the rich intensity of espresso, the trusty and traditional espresso machine provides better flavor than any coffee capsule could dream of. This is done by compacting fresh coffee into a small holding device, then forcing piping hot water through it.
4. For a more exotic twist, try Turkish coffee. This style uses extremely fine coffee grounds, which are then stirred with boiling water and served without any filtration.
5. Some intelligent people have actually devised a reusable pod expressly for coffee capsule machines, so if you already own one, this is a wonderful alternative.
6. The traditional Italian method for making coffee at home, a stove-top way to make great coffee with now waste at all. Make great coffee at home, using only a stainless steel Moka pot guaranteed to last for years and years with simple maintenance.
Due to the sheer enthusiasm regarding coffee, there truly are an abundance of different methods and options to create the perfect cup. So, next time you go for a coffee capsule, why not explore what else out there – the environment and your taste buds will certainly be better for it.“Next time you go for a coffee capsule, why not explore what else out there – the environment and your taste buds will certainly be better for it.”
