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Getting an eco-friendly cup of coffee doesn’t have to be hard. Companies have started to wake up to the damage traditional k-cups are doing. Now it's time you understand too.
Read on to find out more!
Why K Cups Are So Damaging
It’s not just one factor that makes K-cups so damaging for the environment; there’s a multitude of reasons. So let’s start with the most significant factor; they don’t biodegrade… ever!
And because of this, it’s starting to lead to a considerable trash crisis. You see, it’s not just the fact they don’t biodegrade; it’s the quantity people are using.
It’s thought that over 10 billion k-cups are manufactured each year. Landfills are already struggling to keep up with the strain we’re putting on it, and it’s only being made worse with k-cups.
Here’s a scary statistic for you:
In 2015 Keurig had sold enough k-cups to wrap around the world over ten times. That was over 15 years ago, so it could be well over 100 times by now.
I mentioned earlier that k-cups have more than one damaging effect, so let’s take a look at the others.
K-cups can be pretty damaging for your health; this is because the #7 plastic has layers of toxins inside. Even the pods that claim to be BPA free can still cause you harm, even if the manufacturers claim otherwise.
When the pods are heated, it reaches a temperature that allows the toxins to leach out of the container. And it’s only made worse when combined with the acidity of the coffee.
BPA is known to increase the chances of severe health conditions like infertility.
It gets worse:
These chemicals are left behind as byproducts when they get sent to the dump; the toxins start to leach into our soil/water source.
The final problem with k-cups is how hard they are to recycle, and in most cases, can’t be recycled. This is down to the plastic used in the manufacturing process and the combination of materials used.
And when it is possible to recycle them, the process can be long and tiresome. It involves cleaning out the grinds, removing the foil, and separating the plastic from the filter.
So, what can we do to enjoy our coffee still, but be more environmentally friendly about it?
Are Biodegradable K Cups The Solution?
Switching to biodegradable k cups come with a few significant benefits that allow you to feel a little less guilty about your drinking habit.
To start with, they’re biodegradable, which means you can send them to a commercial composting center without the fear of them causing damage to the environment.
Not only are they better for the environment, but they’re also better for your health. This is because they don’t use any harmful materials.
If you’re considering a switch to biodegradable k cups, here are a few brands you should check out:
In the end, which brand you decided to go for is entirely up to you, but there are a few things you should look out for if you want the perfect cup of coffee.
Here are a few things I like to look out for purchasing biodegradable k-cups:
Flavor – Switching to biodegradable k-cups doesn’t mean you have to compromise the taste. Biodegradable K-cups come with a wide variety of flavors to choose from, so you’re guaranteed to find something that works for you.
Materials – Not all biodegradable pods are as degradable as they claim. Make sure you check out what the pod is made from, especially the ring around the pod. Some companies still use a non-biodegradable ring yet claim to be compostable.
Count – Each company provides varying quantities in the box. If you’re a heavy coffee drinker, you might want to hit up a big box. On the other hand, if you’re trying a new brand, you might not want to commit to a large pack, in which case a small box comes in handy.
How To Reuse Non-Recyclable K Cups
If you’re now sitting here with a cupboard full of k cups that you don’t know what to do with anymore, don’t worry we’ve got you covered.
Here are some great ideas you can use for you non-recyclable k-cups:
Give Your Seeds A Head Start
Instead of chucking your old pods away, why not use them to bring life to your home. Starting plants off is the hardest part of gardening. By filling your K-cups with compost, you can help give your seeds the best possible start to life.
Get The Party Started
Now and then, we have to let our hair down, and there’s nothing better for that then a little party. And that’s where your k-cups come in. They’re the perfect size for making jello shots, all you have to do is line them up and fill them.
Create A Luxurious Bathing Setting
There’s nothing better than getting in the bath after a long hard day at work. One way to make the experience better is by adding a bath bomb. There’s plenty of DIY recipes out there; it’s a case of finding the right one and killing your pods with the mixture.
Remake The Perfect Coffee
Instead of chucking them away, you could always clean them out and use them again. Choose the coffee grinds that suit you the best and fill the empty pod with the grounds. From there, you can either make your lid or purchase them online.
Painting A Picture
The pods are the perfect size to fill with paint for an art session. You can use different pods for each color and one for mixing. Best of all, you can easily wash them out and reuse them when you’re feeling creative.
Arts And Crafts With The kids
With the COVID nightmare keeping everyone in lockdown, parents have to get more creative with how they entertain them. Try using the k cups to make circular stamps; they can experiment with colors and textures.
Finishing Off
As you can see, K-cups are causing significant harm, not just to the environment but also to our bodies. But this could all be stopped by switching to biodegradable K-cups.
And please, before you chuck away your old K-cups, think, is there anything else I could do with the pod?
