How can I be more “Green” with my coffee making?

by Donald
(Vancouver, BC Canada)

QUESTION:

I love coffee, but want to make sure I’m not having a negative impact on the environment. Is there an approved “green” approach to making and drinking coffee?

ANSWER:

That’s a really great question.

For near-zero impact on the environment I would do three things.

First, instead of using a big, high-tech coffee brewer, I would use a simple French Press or, my personal favourite, the Aeropress. Both methods require hot water, but other than that use muscle power and have no electronics.

Next, I would buy not only organic coffee, which is good for your own health, but also Fair Trade coffee. When you buy Fair Trade coffee you have a very positive impact on the lives of coffee growers and on the land they work on. Look for coffee that is both organic and Fair Trade.

Finally, instead of throwing your used coffee grinds in the garbage, compost them. Coffee makes a great addition to compost.

Taking these three steps won’t eliminate the environmental impact of processing and transporting coffee, but it will help in those areas over which you, as an individual, have direct control.