Everyday Sustainability Starts in Your Coffee Cup

For those of us who love Mother Earth, the daily assaults on the environment have become unbearable. The current administration is rolling back environmental protections at an alarming rate: it is open season on wildlife, the east coast may soon be threatened by oil drilling, and our waterways have become convenient dumping sites for toxic waste. We sign petitions, attend protests, donate money and write our legislators, but the attacks are fast and furious and there is always a call to do more. There is something you can do each day, first thing in the morning, that will make a small difference to sustain you as you wage the larger battles. Im talking about your morning coffeehow you brew it, where you drink it, from whom you purchase it.

For starters, you need to get rid of anything plastic or disposable associated with your morning cup of Joe. I never really got into the Starbucks habit, but if you do go there you should take your own mug or travel cup. I occasionally meet friends there, and I recognize that there is a social component to drinking coffee. Think for a moment, however, of the expense and waste you can eliminate if you drop the to go cup habit for good. Likewise, the advent of the Keurig K cup craze mystifies me; why in this day and age would anyone have come up with such a horribly unsustainable idea? Though a recyclable version of the cups now exists, that does nothing to mitigate the energy required to produce and dispose of the cups themselves.

For close to twenty years now, I have been using a very old fashioned stove-top Italian style expresso maker. A Dutch friend I met while living in France assured me that it was the best device for making a delicious cup of coffee, and I agree. It is just as easy to use as any other kind of coffee maker, and there is absolutely no waste in the process. They are durable and easy to find, and the only part that ever needs replacing is the gasket that provides the seal. It works like a percolator; as the water heats, it is forced upward through the grinds. The filter is reusable and is included with the coffee maker. Bialetti is a trusted brand, and they offer different designs and sizes to suit your needs.

I only buy coffee that is organic and fair trade. I usually order from Deans Beans and purchase large quantities to help reduce the impact of the shipping. You can go in with a group of friends and place orders regularly to guarantee freshness and share in the savings. I also buy from Counter Culture and from local roasters at our farmers markets who give back to the communities of the coffee growers from whom they purchase. Both Deans Beans and Counter Culture are fair trade, socially responsible organizations that do tons of good workso you can feel even better about your morning indulgence.

If you need to add anything to your coffee, why not try organic almond or soy milk rather than dairy? The dairy industry has been implicated as a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and given the high fat content of most dairy, it really isnt good for you (not to mention the hormones and antibiotics found in non-organic dairy!) Besides, almond milk is delicious and soy milk has lots of protein. As for sweeteners, you might consider trying stevia or organic whole-cane sugar to replace the highly refined sugars and artificial sweeteners. If you are purchasing high quality coffee, however, you may find that you dont really need to add anything at all.

When you have finished your coffee and are cleaning the coffee maker, consider taking the leftover grounds outside and composting them. It is easy to do, and organic coffee makes an excellent addition to compost. If you dont have a compost bin, dont worry. I just dump the grounds into a flower bed outside, and once a week or so I work them into the soil with a small spade. The coffee grounds are just about the only waste produced; if you purchase your coffee from Deans Beans, you will also have the bag that the coffee comes in to add to your compost.

Each day I find myself in a state of despair over the future of our planet, and in the absence of national leadership on the issue of climate change it is up to all of us to learn how we can protect the environment. I know that this small step each morning isnt going to have a dramatic impact, but it serves as a daily reminder that there are things that are within our power to improve and change. I savor my morning coffee and enjoy the ritual that has become a form of meditation. If we can all bring awareness and attention to each aspect of our lives, only good can come of it.