Five simple ways to make your morning coffee more sustainable

If you are like most people then you wake up looking forward to a good cup of coffee first thing in the morning. But have you ever thought about how your morning coffee impacts the planet and the amount of waste it creates? Here are 5 simple ways to make your morning coffee more sustainable.

1. Compost your coffee grounds

If you brew your own coffee at home everyday then you will already be aware of how quickly those coffee grounds build up. But instead of tossing them in the nearest bin, why not just add them to your compost? Coffee grounds are an amazing fertilizer for plants as they have high levels of potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus which promote plant and soil health.

Reusing used coffee grounds allows us to give back to the planet and create less waste,  considering that we produce six million tonnes of ground coffee waste each year worldwide, this is a positive move.

2. Replace disposable with reusable

The best way to ensure your morning coffee is sustainable is to swap out disposable items with reusable alternatives as soon as possible. If you enjoy grabbing your morning coffee from the local coffee shop then why not ditch the paper cup and invest in an earth-friendly reusable one.

If you use disposable coffee pods or coffee filters, why not make the change to reusable versions of them. Buying reusable ones will be much better for the environment and you will reduce your carbon footprint significantly.

3. Use a moka pot or coffee filter

If coffee filters and pods are not your thing why not try using an old fashioned  French press or a trusty moka pot. If you purchase either one of these, you will have it for years to come and you will create hardly any waste. Both a moka pot and a French press are easy to use and they don’t use very much energy when making your coffee. Perfect for a more sustainable cup.

4. Choose coffee more consciously

When buying coffee it is important to source it from sustainable sources that are organic, fairtrade and from companies who support the rainforest alliance. These are all important as they ensure the coffee plants are grown in ways that do not damage the environment and the farmers growing them get paid the correct rates. It is also good to try to buy coffee in bulk as well as trying to buy beans that have travelled the least to get to you. This can help reduce carbon emissions and protect the planet at the same time.

5. Don't waste your cold, leftover brew

We are all guilty of making a little bit too much coffee some mornings or we might even forget to drink a cup we have already poured. A great way to not let this go to waste would be to use it for a yummy iced coffee the next day. You can freeze your cold coffee by popping into an ice cube tray  or alternatively you can pour it into a jug and store it in the fridge until you are ready to put it on ice for a refreshing drink the next day. You could even add a little of your favourite milk or syrup for an extra tasty treat.

If you enjoyed reading this post you might also like 6 tips to help you eat more sustainably. Keep up to date with what's happening at Bon+Berg by joining our mailing list.