Small tweaks to your habits can make a BIG impact!
Tip 1 - Brew Your Own Coffee
and pick your coffeemaker with care
Finding a coffee you love and DIYing it is not only the nicest way to start your day, it’s easier on the wallet and is much more environmentally friendly than getting a takeout coffee. There’s hardly any waste - just the coffee grounds and maybe a filter - and no extra carbon footprint from driving to or from a coffeeshop.
Stovetop coffee makers like a moka pot (AKA Bialetti) and manual coffee makers - Pour-Overs, AeroPress, French press, and Chemex methods just need hot water to make a delicious cup of java. No fancy electronics at all! Gear up with Reusable Cotton Coffee Filters and a manual grinder, and you’re practically living off-grid.
I know, I know. Single-cup brewers like Nespresso, Keurig and Tassimo are very convenient. But those pods make a whole lot of extra landfill.
How to balance the convenience of a K-cup against the environmental impact?
Easy! Get some reusable, refillable capsules for your brewer - they’re available at Canadian Tire, Home Hardware and most kitchen stores. You can eliminate the single-use pod waste, save $$$, choose any coffee you like, and make a tastier cup of coffee. It’s a win-win-win!
Tip 2 - Reusable Cups
OK, I know, you can’t make EVERY cup of coffee you drink. You might be out somewhere and want a cup of takeout coffee - and that is perfectly fine.
BUT… did you know that, because of the way disposable coffee cups are made, hardly any are recyclable! Neither are the plastic lids.
What’s the solution?
Have a travel mug - or two - with you in your bag or car or Vespa glovebox, in case you need a coffee break while you’re out and about. Fill your travel mug up with fresh coffee when you go out and then your mug will be with you, ready to pick up a cup on the go.
Tip 3 - Compost When You’re Done!
If your town has an organic waste program, toss used coffee grounds into your green bin.
No green bin? Add used coffee grounds to your composter and turn them into mulch.
Even simpler, sprinkle the used coffee grounds directly in your garden and on your plant beds. Not only will it nourish the soil, coffee is a natural insecticide - bugs and slugs hate coffee and will leave your flowers alone. Plus your garden will smell like coffee. Yum!
