Have you ever thought about the environmental impact of your coffee drinking habit? If you love using coffee pods, there are some concerns about which are more suited for the environment. This is because traditional coffee pods are made from a combination of aluminium and plastic which cannot be recycled easily and these tend to end up in landfills very often.
There is a lot of criticism for traditional coffee pods because they contribute to waste generation
This is because aluminium and plastic are not biodegradable and many of these pods can be found in landfills due to the difficulty in recycling them. As there is a combination of aluminium and plastic, it is very challenging to recycle them and they are also too small when it comes to sorting them at recycling facilities. The production of traditional coffee pods and the logistics associated with it will lead to a higher carbon footprint. There is a lot of energy and resources used to manufacture and distribute the coffee pods. And as you need to extract raw materials such as aluminium for the coffee pods, this can lead to the depletion of resources as well. To source this, there are other issues associated such as deforestation and the destruction of habitats.
Because of the issues discussed above
More and more emphasis has been put on biodegradable coffee pods or environmentally friendly pods. These are focused on sustainability and this affects the production processes used to create the coffee pod as well as the materials used. The biodegradable materials used for the pods are paper, plant based plastic and other organic compounds. Because these are biodegradable, these will break down naturally in the environment so that the impact on landfills is reduced.
There are also many compostable options for coffee pods where you can use them on your compost pile. These will break down with time so that you can reduce waste in your own household. Environmentally friendly coffee pods are also produced with recyclability in mind. When choosing materials, manufacturers use what is compatible with the existing recycling systems in the country.
The carbon footprint associated with
These coffee pods can be reduced by going into sustainable manufacturing processes and using energy efficient facilities. The manufacturers are also looking to reduce the emissions from transportation. Another aspect considered is whether the coffee is sourced ethically and if the brand is sticking to fair trade practices. This will ensure that the cultivation of the coffee beans is done in a sustainable way that is also socially responsible.
You will be able to reduce waste as the pods will break down naturally and the carbon footprint can be reduced significantly. The ecosystems can be preserved when environmentally friendly farming practices are used and this will protect local biodiversity. Compostable options also give you an alternative to chemical fertilisers. With eco-friendly packaging, you can reduce plastic waste considerably. Make sure to look at the materials, certifications and sourcing when looking for environmentally friendly options.
