Zero Waste Coffee

For many, the morning cup of coffee is not up for compromise. The internet is flooded with coffee themed memes, forums, and paraphernalia (this is my favorite), suggesting that the beverage has a growing cult-like following. 

So it probably wouldn't surprise you to learn that the Harvard School of Public Health has reported that the average American consumes about 3.1 cups of coffee a day. Which amounts to a 40 billion dollar industry!

Image by Don Lavange

Its pretty obvious that the US isn't giving up its coffee habit. With such widespread use, its important to note the environmental costs of coffee. In turn, we should do what we can to minimize our impact. 

Quick tips!

• bring a reusable mug with you to coffee shops
• buy your coffee in bulk to avoid packaging
• invest in a "greener" machine, such as a french press
• go back in time and never buy that Keurig 

Cutting Waste In-Stores 

Always bring a travel mug with you! Single-use items are simply not worth it. Over the course of a year, the US uses about 50 billion paper cups for our coffee. These cups are surprisingly non-recyclable. This is because the cups are coated with polyethylene. As a result, most of them end up in landfill. 

Before you go out and buy a brand new travel mug, consider buying one secondhand. Be careful when buying secondhand plastics as they can absorb odd smells and be difficult to properly clean. Don't expect plastic to be the only thing you'll find at thrift stores though. Just the other day I found a stainless steel thermos for $.80. 

Sometimes you can find amazing buys at thrift stores. Don't knock 'em till you try 'em! 

 

Cutting Waste in the Home

At home, I use a french press. This is because before this past year I didn't drink enough coffee to justify owning a coffee maker. Luckily for me, my roommate brought a small french press with her. 

Usually, a french press is a glass cylinder with a stainless steel plunger/reusable filter. This means no k-cups or disposable filters!

Unfortunately, many of the cheaper models use plastic for the handles, bases, and lids. Otherwise, the french press manages to be sustainable because it is low-tech and has no mechanical parts.

This does unfortunately mean that another device is need to heat the water you plan on using. Don't worry though, this can be done with a kettle or even a microwave!

Here's What You Should Know Before Buying a French Press

One of the most important tips I can leave with you today, is to weigh the pros and cons of a decision before making it.  A French friend of mine once told me, "You Americans try to make a business out of everything!" Which isn't far from the truth. 

There is a whole marketing world dedicated to "eco-friendly" or "green" products. Often times they will lead us to believe that we're making sustainable choices, when we're really overpaying for minimal improvements. 

Here's a couple of pros and cons I could come up with for the french press.

My Dream Coffee Device

Here's the tricky part about sustainability. It often has a lot of upfront costs. Even more frustrating, a lot of "green" or "sustainable" products are only minutely better than their "non-green" counterparts. 

The problem is that an "eco-friendly" sticker usually means a heftier price. This can be seen as a huge disincentive to students or people of lower socioeconomic backgrounds. 

 

Image by Yara Tucek

Frieling French Press

• Made from stainless-steel (zero plastic!)
• Retains heat 4x longer than glass
• Highly durable
• $60

Using the French Press

Before you can start brewing your coffee, figure out how you're going to heat up your water. This can be done with:

• an electric kettle
• a stove top kettle
• a microwave

So don't fret, dorm-bodies! This is still within your reach. 

Step 1.  Measure out the how much water you need. Pour the water into your kettle or mug (if microwaving) and heat. Make sure your water isn't boiling as that can burn the coffee.

Fun Fact: One of the biggest energy costs associated with making coffee comes from heating water that will go unused! 

Step 2. Add 1 tablespoon of ground coffee for each cup of coffee you intend to make.

Step 3. Pour your hot water over the coffee grounds. Cover the french press, but do not plunge. Allow the grounds to soak for 3-4 minutes. 

Pro-tip: Add a pinch of salt to your coffee to cut any unwanted acidity! 

Step 4. Carefully lower the plunger. The last thing you want is hot coffee splashing you in the face. Should all go accordingly, the grounds should be separate from your coffee. 

Step 5. Enjoy your full bodied & sustainably brewed coffee!