Coffee – that special liquid that coaxes us from slumber through its aroma and taste every
morning. Have you ever thought about the associated waste with this daily ritual? While our
consumption differs, my general calculation reveals one 10-ounce bag of java per week for two coffee drinkers in a home.

Imagine 52 of these bags in the landfill, just from your household! Sadly, the packaging requires an aluminum barrier to protect the coffee properly, and that thin layer of aluminum is adhered to polyester film, making the packaging unrecyclable as a mixed material.

What can we do about this? Stop drinking coffee and switch to compostable tea bags, packaged in paper? Perhaps. The good news is that there are sustainable options, though they require some work, creativity, and new habits.

1. Buy coffee beans in bulk and refill them in your own glass, tin, or plastic container. I use
   two tin cans and alternate refilling them with bulk coffee from The Market. Not all stores
   offer this, so you’ll need to call around. Check out Hello Bulk in SLC for many other bulk
   products. Or, you can directly purchase from a shop or manufacturer that roasts on-site.
   If they currently bag coffee, request a more environmental alternative.
2. Find alternatives to using pods for single-use coffee machines, at home or work.
   Reusable coffee filters are available to wash and reuse instead of sending them to the
   landfill.
3. Speak up to your favorite coffee manufacturer or local café. Consider changing to a
   different manufacturer that is more sustainable (and let the old one know why you
   changed). Make positive suggestions.
   
   Coffee is an industry riddled with single-use satisfaction, with the numerous to-go cups, lids, K-cups, and coffee bags landing in landfills. Don’t forget your reusable mug. Ditch the K-cups. Buy beans in bulk. Compost beans and compostable filters. Finally, buy light or medium roast to save energy and enhance caffeine intake!

By Mary Closser