Coffee drinkers worldwide drink 21 billion pounds of coffee a year. Read that again. 21 billion pounds of coffee are consumed, according to a recent study by Statitia. With that much consumption, it’s important to recognize that every step in how we drink coffee affects the planet, from our purchase of beans to how we use the coffee grounds. One Village Coffee is committed to a healthier and more sustainable way of growing, roasting, and drinking coffee, and we’re here to offer some tips to help you become a more conscious coffee drinker in the Village!
Look for organic and Fairtrade coffees
The journey to becoming a more eco-friendly coffee consumer starts with the coffee you choose. Organic and Fairtrade coffee beans are the best you can buy when thinking about the environmental impact.
An organic coffee certification indicates that the farmers don’t use synthetic pesticides and that the farmers are committed to preventing erosion of the soil and Earth in the process.
Fairtrade coffee certification indicates that not only are the farmers benefiting from a better quality of life in their coffee farming, but that they’re committed to cultivating better farming practices and adhere to standards banning use of dangerous pesticides and GMO seeds.
One Village Coffee has a healthy variety of organic and Fairtrade coffee selections. Check out our collection and find the roast fit for you!
Ditch the K-Cups
Coffee pods or capsules are seen as a convenient way to make coffee, but they’re an absolute disaster to the planet. An estimated 56 billion coffee capsules consumed went to landfill in 2019. That is the equivalent of 8 coffee capsules for every human on Earth. We say get rid of K-Cups, but if you have to use one make it a reusable version. They’re readily available online.
Coffee pod machines also are generally left on throughout the day, wasting valuable energy even when you’re not using them. Pull the plug and save energy.
Use mugs and stop using disposable cups.
Coffee consumption is increasing daily. There are 16 billion disposable coffee cups are used each year, according to a 2018 study by earthday.org and the number has increased. Those are 16 billion cups coated in plastic. That’s no good, folks.
Single-use coffee cups are one of the most destructive coffee products for the environment. Buy a coffee mug that showcases a company and/or design you love. When you go to a café, bring your own mug and ask the barista if they’ll prepare your drink in it. It may take a time or two to get comfortable with asking, but think of it in the same way as bringing your own reusable bags to a grocery store. You may even start a conversation with another guest and start a trend! Be a trailblazer.
Ask questions.
We’re in age of social and environmental responsibility and that means businesses should be responsible and conscious of their impact on the world. When you go to a café or buy coffee beans or products to the roasters. Ask questions about where they get their beans, how are they farmed, and any other items you want to learn more about. Have any questions for One Village Coffee about our sustainable efforts? Fire away at marketing@onevillagecoffee.com. We pride ourselves on being transparent, and we’re always happy to get you an answer and help in your journey to become a more conscious coffee drinker.
Compost your coffee grounds.
Your coffee grounds shouldn’t go into the garbage. That’s a surefire way for them to end up in a landfill. These grounds can be composted and even used as fertilizer. Now’s the perfect time to get a green thumb and start a small garden or improve the one you may already have. Don’t garden? Contact your local farmer’s market or gardening community and there’s bound to be someone who will gladly use the coffee grounds.
