Do you take your coffee green?
Canadians love their coffee. Every year we drink 14 billion cups, half of those in our own homes. Here are a few ways you can make sure your caffeine kick doesn’t come with negative side effects for the planet.
Paper filters used in home-brewing turn into waste. Buy reusable filters instead or switch to a French press method for making coffee with its built-in metal filtration system. If you do use paper filters, go with unbleached, compostable kinds.
Save your grounds. Coffee grounds make great plant food. Toss your old grounds into the compost bin instead of the trash.
Skip the stick. When buying coffee to go, avoid the disposable wooden stir sticks you often see. Use a metal spoon or simply gently swirl your coffee after adding cream and sugar: the heat will naturally dissolve and blend the sugar and cream.
Fill up with a reuseable mug. Look for a travel mug made of aluminium, stainless steel, ceramic, rubber or BPA-free plastic. They are durable, keep your drink hot, and offer spill-proof tops. Many coffee shops even offer discounts for customers who bring their own mugs. Just remember to clean it regularly! If you forget your mug, remember to recycle your paper cups.
Look at the labels. When buying beans, keep your eye out for labels indicating the coffee is environmentally friendly. For example: USDA Organic" means no pesticides or chemicals were used to grow the beans. "Shade Grown" means the coffee was grown according to Smithsonian Institution guidelines to protect migrating birds. ”Rainforest Alliance Certified" is yet another assurance that the beans were grown according to proper "green" standards. "Fair Trade Certified" means the beans were grown with sustainable, eco-friendly farming practices by farmers and workers who were paid a fair day's wage in safe working conditions.
