Easy Ways to Make Your Coffee Routine More Sustainable

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Coffee lovers like you have an important opportunity to make a positive impact on the planet. From the beans you choose to the tools you use, a few simple changes can transform your coffee routine into a more sustainable one. Here’s how to enjoy your favorite brew while reducing your environmental footprint, along with some product recommendations to get you started.

Choose Sustainable Coffee Beans

Opt for coffee that’s ethically sourced and grown with the environment in mind. On packaging, look for certifications like:

Fair Trade: The Fair Trade certification means the coffee is certified to have been produced according to trading standards that are ethical, sustainable, and equitable. Try Equal Exchange Organic Coffee for robust coffee blends that are ethically and environmentally sound.
Rainforest Alliance: The Rainforest Alliance supports sustainable farming in all aspects. Consider Peet’s Coffee Organic Alma de la Tierra, which delivers a bold, smooth flavor.
USDA Organic: Ensures coffee is grown without harmful pesticides. Kicking Horse Coffee’s Smart Ass Blend is a great-tasting organic choice that forgets about the extra preservatives, additives, fillers, and flavoring.

By choosing brands with these certifications, you’re supporting farmers and the environment.

Reduce Single-Use Items by Switching to Reusable Gear

According to sustainability researcher Gunter Pauli, the global coffee industry produces over 23 million tons of waste per year. Single-use coffee pods and filters add up to a lot of waste, as well as disposable cups and stirrers. Pay attention to what you discard and consider investing in reusable gear options like the ones we have collected below:

Reusable Coffee Filters: The GoldTone Reusable Filter is a low-cost investment that works perfectly with drip coffee makers and eliminates paper waste.
French Press or Pour-Over Brewers: Both the Bodum Chambord French Press and Hario V60 Dripper offer waste-free brewing.
Compostable Pods: If you’re tied to a pod system, invest in reusable coffee pod filters, or try San Francisco Bay Compostable Coffee Pods, compatible with Keurig machines.
Reusable Coffee Cups: There are many long-lasting, reusable coffee cups out there that will keep your drink hot for hours, such as the Hydro Flask Coffee Mug. Consider bringing your own reusable cup whenever you visit your local coffee shop as it allows you to skip the plastic cup, lid, and straw. Often times coffee shops love to give you a discount when you bring your own refillable cup–it helps both the shop and the customer save money while prioritizing the health of the planet.
Reusable stirrers: Such as a bamboo stirrer or a stainless-steel spoon instead of plastic.

Click Here to Read: The Truth About Paper Coffee Cups: A Plastic Lined Reality

Compost Your Coffee Grounds

Don’t throw away those used coffee grounds—they’re packed with nutrients! Instead:

Add them to your home compost bin. If you don’t have one yet, make your lifestyle more sustainable by investing in one such as the Epica Stainless Steel Compost Bin which makes it easy to collect kitchen scraps, including coffee grounds, without mess or odor.
Make your plants happy by using your used coffee grounds as fertilizer. Coffee grounds are especially beneficial for roses and tomatoes.
Creating community is something coffee loves to do. Connect and contribute to your community by donating your used coffee grounds to a local community garden or composting program.

Support Sustainable Coffee Shops

If you enjoy grabbing coffee on the go, make it a point to support eco-conscious establishments. When you support green businesses, you’re encouraging industry-wide change. Look for coffee shops that:

Use compostable cups and lids or allow you to bring your own.
Source their beans from sustainable brands and farms.
Run recycling programs or initiatives to reduce waste.

Thrift It!

There are always great second-hand coffee equipment options at thrift stores, including coffee makers, whisks, and unique mugs. Make sure you inspect everything thoroughly before you buy it and then give it a good clean at home. Thrifting for your coffee set-up is an exciting way to add unique charcter, save money, and practice sustainable purchasing.

Inspire Others

Sustainability is a collective effort. Coffee has long been a medium for creating community and culture. By embracing a sustainable coffee routine, we can transform our coffee culture into one that values both community and the planet. Share this blog with friends, family, or on social platforms to inspire others to make greener choices. By collectively rethinking how we source, prepare, and enjoy coffee, we can amplify its role as a unifying and sustainable force.

Together, let’s make a difference.

-the coffee collect