Having a sustainable environment around us is extremely important for us and for the next generations to come. Working towards environmental sustainability does not require too much effort. It’s concerned with small steps every day that lead to bigger impacts down the years. To all the coffee lovers, here’s what you can do to perform your share for an eco-friendly environment.
- DISCARD THE USE OF SINGLE SERVES
Be it cups or pods, single serves are perhaps the most detrimental effect of coffee on the environment. Yes, the K-Cups and Nespresso pods are comfortable for use, but they have a tremendous effect on the environment. Keuring produced 10 billion k-Cups in 2015. Laying them straight would cover the whole world 10.5 times. Can you imagine the amount of non-disposable waste generated? If you do not want to consider the waste, single-serve cups are still expensive and do not brew coffee perfectly, hence pulling you away from the relishing experience of coffee.
- IF YOU PREFER USING COFFEE PODS, DO NOT CHOOSE DISPOSABLE COFFEE PODS
Now, if you have a Nespresso machine at home, you must have noticed the number of pods that end up in the bin. So if you do not want to get that machine exchanged, you can opt for compostable coffee pods. The pods are made from fairly sourced beans, roasted by coffee experts – making it brew you the perfect cup of coffee every morning, but without providing toxic waste to the environment.
- COMPOST YOUR COFFEE GROUNDS
A major chunk of the waste that ends up in the landfills is the food that we waste. Needless to say, such wastes can be avoided by merely being responsible for buying and making the most of the organic waste. Composting has a two-fold benefit on the environment; first, it prevents the food from ending up in the landfills, and secondly, a garden nourish by-product can be created out of it. If you do not know where to begin with composting, follow Planet Ark for some great insights.
- USE A REUSABLE FILTER
One of the most compelling reasons for you to avoid paper filters should be that a considerable amount of them are chlorine-bleached and end up in landfills. The filters then seep dioxins (chemicals harmful to human health) into watersheds and plants. If you do not want to use reusable paper filters, you should try total chlorine-free filters or the processed chlorine-free labels. Reusable and eco-friendly brewers like French Press, Stainless Steel Pour Over Cone, or Aeropress + Steel Filters have rich flavor and give a mouthful feel. If you don’t want to try it out for an eco-friendly purpose, you should try it for the flavor.
- TRY OUT THE VARIOUS MILK OPTIONS
Around 270 million dairy cows produce milk for human consumption across the globe and one glass of dairy milk produces three times more greenhouse gas than any plant-based milk. Hence, a lot of environment conscious people are choosing the latter for consumption. Oat and almond milk is one of the favorites of plant-based milk consumers. It’s very creamy and creates a good frothed cup of cappuccino, while almond milk, with a tiny bit of maple syrup, some ice cubes with a shot of coffee makes it a perfect iced latte.
- BREW MANUALLY
If you take a stroll down your neighborhood, you will find auto-drip coffee makers in 9 out of 10 places. The two most noticeable things that you’ll realize about the auto-drip coffeemakers are that they are cheaply priced and cheaply made so that they can be broken easily. It will then require further manufacturing – making it an endless wasteful process. Manual coffee brewers stand against this great challenge to eco-friendly coffee. Not only that, the manufacturing of these manual coffee brewers are such that, with the replacement of a single part after vigorous use, you can use them for decades. Among the varied advantages that are there, being eco-friendly is one of the essential properties of coffee filters.
- BUY FROM THE CORRECT SELLERS
Every seller who roasts coffee does not have respect for the craft of roasting. They do not care about the environmental footprint and they rigidly control the same with precision. It will be an act of consciousness on your part if you support the effort of roasters who are doing their part in reducing, reusing, and recycling apart from focusing on the quality. Certain coffee roasters promote coffee bag recycling programs as well. Research on such companies that are giving back to society and the environment on a global scale and support them in their journey.
It is these small steps that make a journey fruitful. Now is the time to begin and make coffee more eco-friendly. Pick one of the above and begin your journey of being an environmentally conscious individual.