Zero Waste 101: Single-Use Coffee Capsules
Friday, January 25, 2019
The
standard way of preparing brewed coffee at home is to use a simple coffee
maker. However, in recent years, everything has changed when single-serve
coffee machines (e.g. Nespresso and Dolce Gusto) are introduced to the
world, to the delight of many coffee enthusiasts. These revolutionary coffee
machines make it more convenient for coffee lovers to brew a perfect cup of
coffee with a consistent flavor each time. Not to mention, there are no coffee
pot and filters to clean up.
The
heart of each single-serve coffee machine is a coffee capsule (also known as coffee
pod). Coffee capsules are pre-packaged ground coffee beans that are encased
in tiny plastic or aluminum containers. Since the capsules are thrown away
after each use, they end up in landfill, thus contributing to the increasing
global waste problem.
If
you already owned a single-serve coffee machine (which I know is very expensive
so it is not easy to give it up), here are some of the things you can do to
minimize coffee capsule waste.
1. Submit Used Coffee Capsules to Recycling
Facilities
If
the brand of your single-serve coffee machine happens to have its own recycling
program, then take the initiative to collect your used coffee capsules and send
them to their corresponding recycling facilities. For instance, if you’re using
a Nespresso machine, you can recycle
their coffee capsules by putting them in a Nespresso recycling bag (which you can get for free from their online shop), then either
- Drop off the recycling bag at any Nespresso boutique
- Pass the recycling bag to the Nespresso delivery man at your next order (this service is only available for Metro Manila customers).
2. Donate Used Coffee Capsules to Social
Organizations for Upcycling
Ever
heard of the saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”? Look for
social organizations in your area that accept used coffee capsules for their
upcycling projects. One such organization is Negrense Volunteers for Change.
Their local artisans utilize discarded Nespresso
coffee capsules and transform them into beautiful pieces of home decors.
Image Credit: Negrense Volunteers for Change
3. Use Your Creativity to Recycle Used Coffee
Capsules
Coffee
capsules might be tiny, but with enough creativity you can actually recycle
them. Some of the amazing ideas I saw online are:
Storage
bins for very small items (e.g. hair accessories, paper clips, jewelries).
Image Credit: Sew Many Ways
After
plugging the hole at the bottom of the coffee capsules, they can be used as
molds for making popsicles or gelatins.
Image Credit: Experiment Mom
Coffee
capsules are just the perfect size for plant seed starters, not to mention, the
hole at the bottom of the capsules provides drainage when watering the plants.
Image Credit: Fresh Eggs Daily
4. Reuse the Coffee Grounds
How
about the leftover coffee grounds from the capsules? Is there a way to recycle
them as well?
Fortunately,
there are a couple of ways to reuse coffee grounds. In particular, dry coffee
grounds are known for their deodorizing properties. You can put them overnight
in any areas with foul smell, like the inside of your refrigerator or your
shoes.
Moreover,
coffee grounds can also be added to your compost bin, which can later be used as natural soil fertilizer.
Do
you have other ways to recycle single-serve coffee capsules? Share them on the
comment section below J
P.S.
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1 comments
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