Coffee Pod Recycling
Coffee pod recycling represents a solution to the waste created through coffee pod use. Coffee pods are used to make liquid coffee. Companies produce coffee pods for several coffee machines, including the Keurig© brand.
Background
Coffee pods are an example of single-use containers polluting the environment[2]. Coffee pods can end up in bodies of water such as lakes and rivers as well as our oceans. Their untreated exposure to the environment results in the death of wildlife, including birds, fish, and mammals. While coffee pods are economically inferior to traditional ground coffee filters, their convenience continues to perpetuate their use[3]. Nearly one in three Americans uses a pod-based coffee machine, and many pods are not recyclable or biodegradable[4]. With over nine billion coffee pods produced each year, recycling has become a growing concern.
Recycling methods
While the majority of coffee pods are produced from plastic, many components of them are recyclable. The tops of many coffee pods are aluminum, and many companies such as Tassimo and Nespresso are producing fully recyclable capsules and cups[5]. While Keurig claims to make all coffee pods fully recyclable by the end of 2020, a federal judge ruled that the company's current claims were misleading and that the recycling capability of the company's current coffee pods is severely limited[6]. The judge ruled that while there were aspects of the pods that consumers could recycle, the pods themselves were too small for current recycling processes.
Disposable coffee pod alternatives
Several alternatives to coffee pods exist, including drip coffee filters and reusable coffee pods. Keurig, Delibru, and Sealpod all offer reusable coffee pods that produce zero waste and require no recycling[7]. In addition, consumers can use organic hemp coffee filters that can be washed and reused. Reusable coffee filters can save consumers millions of dollars through economically efficient use of coffee and materials[8]
References
- ↑ "File:K-Cup-Silo.gif", Wikipedia, 2012-07-14, retrieved 2020-02-22 External link in
|title=(help) - ↑ Brown, Dalvin. "K-cups and coffee capsules: Is your quick java fix killing the environment?". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2020-02-22.
- ↑ Brown, Dalvin. "K-cups and coffee capsules: Is your quick java fix killing the environment?". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2020-02-22.
- ↑ Hamblin, James (2015-03-02). "If You Drink Coffee From Pods, You May Want to Reconsider". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2020-02-22.
- ↑ Moskvitch, Katia (2019-05-03). "Turns out coffee pods are actually pretty good for the environment". Wired UK. ISSN 1357-0978. Retrieved 2020-02-22.
- ↑ "Suit charges Keurig's coffee pods aren't recyclable as advertised". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2020-02-22.
- ↑ "The best eco-friendly coffee filters and pods". Popular Science. Retrieved 2020-02-22.
- ↑ "K-Cup Alternatives Can Save You Money - Consumer Reports". www.consumerreports.org. Retrieved 2020-02-22.
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