In the spirit of brewing a greener cup of Joe, we've compiled a list of five ways to reduce your coffee carbon footprint.
1. Switch to a Manual Brewing Method
- For Espresso - Consider the Handpresso Wild Hybrid or the ROK Espresso Maker. Both will let you make great espresso without using one amp or volt of electricity.
- For Regular Coffee - Try a French press or pourover coffee maker. If you're going the French press route, consider a double-wall, vacuum-insulated model from Espro, Freiling, or Bodum to keep coffee hotter longer. Interested in pourover coffee? Take a look at the Hario line of easy-to-use equipment.
- For Drip Coffee - Ditch the warming plate for an eco drink. Consider high-end coffee makers, like the Bonavita Brewer. This SCAA-certified brewer has a stainless steel carafe to preserve drink temperature.
2. Make Your Coffee at Home - Not only will you be able to make a custom drink, tailored to your tastes, you'll be doing our planet a favor. Brewing at home means less wasted gas getting to and from your favorite coffee shop, as well as less disposable cups littering the landfills.
3. Use the Energy-Saving Feature on Your Home Machine - Most super-automatic espresso machines and some single serves have energy saving features that can make a world of difference. These eco features will often automatically switch the machine to standby mode or even turn it off after a certain amount of idle time.
4. Choose Earth-Friendly or Certified Organic Coffee - Coffee sold as certified organic must, by FDA standards, be sustainably grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Consider Gimme! Coffee The Natural Blend, J Martinez Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Fair Trade Organic Coffee, or Lavazza Gran Selezione Premium Drip Coffee.
5. Compost Used Coffee Grounds - Once you're done brewing, don't toss your spent grounds. They contain 2% nitrogen and are an excellent addition to a compost pile.