Over the years, the way that we drink coffee has changed a lot with many people now finding themselves addicted to drinking a cup a day. With recent developments in global warming, we should all be doing what we can to ensure we are reducing our carbon footprint and the waste that we are contributing. So, how does the disposable coffee cup that we throw in the trash at least once a day contribute to that?
In this article, we are going to look at how our coffee habits as a society as impacting the environment. This is something that is present around the world and not just in the US or Europe. Keep reading if you are someone who enjoys a cup of coffee daily and wants to know more.
Why Is It Important?
Before we look at how our coffee habit impacts the environment, it is important to first look at why this is something that is important. Firstly, coffee is not the main issue here, it is the cups that are used by companies that sell coffee that are being thrown away. These then lead to landfills filling up with coffee cups that could have been recycled or avoided entirely.
The world is currently experiencing global warming, and this is something that we all need to be aware of. The sea levels are rising and the fumes coming from our factories are all contributing to it. While there has been an increased awareness of global warming in recent years, there are still many people out there who are not doing what they can to change the way they live. In fact, many people don’t believe in it at all.
The Habit
Did you know that in the US alone, there are over 400 million cups of coffee consumed every day? This indicates that many people in this country are addicted to coffee and this is something that is mirrored around the world.
While many people believe that they are not addicted to coffee, others feel as though they cannot function in their daily activities without a cup. Many will have more than three cups a day and this indicates that they have developed this habit and possibly even an addition to the caffeine within the coffee. While too much caffeine can affect a person in some ways, this is an addiction that is much more widely accepted by the general population in comparison to others.
Landfills
Many people around the world drink a cup of coffee every day. Some people use a mug in their home while others buy paper or plastic cups from coffee shops and dispose of them after one use. These cups then end up in landfills and often cannot be recycled. Many big companies have made adjustments to their products to reduce the risk of this, but it is something that is still taking place.
When looking at coffee and its impact on landfills, it is also important to consider the way that we make coffee at home. There has been an increasing trend of buying coffee pod machines that allow consumers to brew their own coffee shop-style cups at home. Unfortunately, these pods end up in the landfill as well and are contributing negatively to our environment.
Alternatives That Are Better
Over the years, the way that we consume coffee has changed slightly and alternatives are starting to be offered to reduce the effect on the environment. Many coffee shops around the world now allow customers to bring a reusable cup which they will fill to reduce waste. This is a great alternative and is something that should be used when making coffee in the office as well.
Another alternative that we have been offered recently is biodegradable coffee pods. These take the place of the disposable coffee pods that people have in their homes and make the experience much more environmentally friendly. Halo coffee pods are a great example of this and they can help to provide you with the perfect cup of coffee without destroying the environment.
Final Verdict
The way that we consume coffee has changed with all of these new alternatives but that does not mean that our environment is not being negatively affected. Many people have not made the switch to compostable coffee pods or reusable cups and so there is still a long way to go. Those that need to make the most effort are those who are addicted or are in the habit of drinking coffee every single day.
If you are someone who enjoys coffee, make sure to consider the alternatives that are available. These are available online and many coffee shops will sell reusable cups to save you the hassle.