A lot of people opt for coffee on-the-go rather than preparing coffee at home. This means two things, a much higher cost for the consumer, and significantly higher waste being produced.
The majority of people who consume coffee purchased from a coffee shop are using the one-time disposable coffee cups that most shops provide. If you drink any type of iced/frozen coffee beverage it likely comes in a plastic cup. Hot drinks tend to come in a paper cup. The good news is that plastic cups are recyclable, you just have to make sure they are properly cleaned before placing them in the recycling receptacle. Most paper cups produced to hold hot beverage are coated in wax and are not recyclable.
However, there is some good news. Many coffee chains and gas stations provide a discount if you bring a reusable coffee mug, such as the one from the link below. Of course you can also save yourself even more money by brewing your coffee at home.
Another reason you might prefer to brew your coffee at home rather than purchasing from a chain is to know the source of your coffee. Certain coffee farmers follow practices which are more sustainable and these farmers also tend to have better working conditions and pay for their employees. The best coffee to purchase is Rainforest Alliance Certified, next is shade-grown, and finally organic. It is important to consider both the environmental impacts as well as the human cost of everyday products. Added bonus, coffee grinds and coffee filters are compostable!
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I will make a small commission from your purchase, but it will not impact the price you pay for the item.
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