Green or sustainable? Bioplastics are infiltrating our grocery store racks, but are they truly great for the world?

We are super thrilled that you are here. Generally, there are naturally more articles on coffee, Nespresso pods and compostable coffee pods. Other interesting materials on sustainable coffee pods are for instance from leading media publishers, or Moving Beans. Or read our related blog on Nespresso pods as well as https://compostablecoffeepods.doodlekit.com/blog/entry/18539394/the-ecological-case-for-ecofriendly-coffee-pods.

Ever been deceived by a synthetic floral arrangement? Ever marvelled at the foliage just to find that (upon closer evaluation) the arrangement remains in fact a fraud? Greenwashing operate in an extremely similar way - brands utilizing misleading marketing to convince you that an item is eco-friendly and therefore "better for the environment".

Sadly, many of these services assume consumers have their head in the sand, and in the coffee pods industry in particular, we're certainly seeing these kinds of marketing methods increasing. Encouraging words like "recyclable", "naturally degradable", "plant based" and "compostable" truly put your mind at ease, right? But on a practical level, what do these terms actually mean and are they really as good as they sound?

We get that sometimes it's simplest to pop your first option in the shopping trolley and people are definitely attempting their finest to make the best choices, so it's far from reasonable that everyday shoppers are being misinformed.

Don't be tricked by sly advertising methods or confusing terminology and labelling - we have actually compiled the info you need to prevent being greenwashed. So, are the coffee pods you're utilizing actually "green"? Let's discover.

Phony environment-friendly items: Are your coffee capsules sustainable?

Most cluey consumers are becoming smart to the truth that the option that is "recyclable" coffee pods isn't terrific and as simple as we've been led to believe. Regrettably, the procedure of recycling capsules is neither kind nor hassle-free to the environment.

For numerous consumers, the rigmarole around recycling their pods avoids them from following through - it has actually been stated that of the 13,500 capsule coffees taken in every minute, only 21% make it through to the recycling process. Some brand names need to be dropped at specific collection points, posted directly to the company, or perhaps require dismantling and cleaning up before the parts can be recycled individually - total, the process is highly energy-intensive.

Perhaps because of this, the former Nespresso CEO approximates the around the world rate of recycling for coffee pods to be less than 5%. Furthermore, with the energy needed to transfer and process the capsules in a recycling center, is this truly a sustainable choice at all, or simply a bandaid solution for a much larger concern?

Eventually, the problem is not whether they can be recycled or not. Obviously it is much better to recycle something than not, but the bottom line is that it's better to not produce the waste at all.

Issue = Recyclable pods can not be recycled by means of domestic bins + the recycling process has a high carbon footprint

Recycling coffee pods is a bandaid service for a much larger waste problem

When it comes to pods what does "plant-based" even suggest, and what's it got to do with how the capsule is disposed of? To the typical person, it sure sounds wholesome, positive and charming - but are they a much better choice than disposable, plastic pods?

Well, the primary claim you'll generally find here is that part of the pod packaging consists of specific portion of plant-based material. Instead, it turns into tiny pieces of plastic that will never break down, contributing to the micro plastics problem we're presently battling in our waterways and oceans.

Essentially, when these end up in land fill or our environment, they cause more harm than excellent. In our modest opinion? This is most likely not a great option.

Problem = The majority of plant-based pods merely break down into little micro plastics

Compostable/ naturally degradable coffee pods made from plant-based materials like corn and sugarcane

This is where things get made complex. Compostable and eco-friendly - they're type of the very same, however type of ... not. With sustainability "trends" on the rise, biodegradable and compostable coffee pod choices are now numerous. Packaged beautifully with "greener" messaging playing a key function, they sure do look terrific on the outside.

Video: Sustainable and Nespresso Pods by Moving Beans such as https://compostablecoffeepods.doodlekit.com/blog/entry/18539394/the-ecological-case-for-ecofriendly-coffee-pods.

But let's break this down (pun intended): Products that compost or biodegrade can certainly be excellent for minimizing waste, if gotten rid of properly. Just since a product is labelled as "compostable", it doesn't necessarily mean that it will break down in your home compost.

Usually, coffee pods made entirely of bioplastics need business composting (industrially heats, moisture levels, and UV light) to break down within any affordable amount of time. Even still, these materials can leave behind micro-fragments and poisonous residues.

It's a little-known truth that, unfortunately, it's not likely your home composting system has what it takes to break down your eco-friendly pods. Some councils provide commercial composting through their kerbside green waste collection, nevertheless they might forbid products labelled eco-friendly or compostable, so it's important that you double-check. Constantly make sure to check with your local council to see if they accept bioplastic first before disposing.

So if you sought a coffee pod that's safe to put straight in your garden compost bin, we can comprehend how this could be complicated. Some red flags to keep an eye out for (in small print on the back of packaging, or at the extremely base/footer of a site) are lines like:
" They are recyclable and eco-friendly, but not compostable."
" In order for compostable capsules to break down in 90 days, capsules must be processed through a commercial composting center." or
" Please contact your local council prior to getting rid of in your green bin."

When it pertains to compostable products in general, ideally you wish to look for products that are Australian licensed as "Home Compostable" by the Australian Bioplastics Association, guaranteeing they're identified as safe for garden composts, are made from veggie material and are plastic free - phew!

Key takeaway? If it feels and looks like plastic, always research study and read the small print on how to compost each brand before you purchase.

Issue = A lot of compostable & biodegradable pods require industrial composting centers to breakdown

Bioplastic coffee pods: Sustainable, or greenwash? If they appear like plastic, think twice

As you know, every item requires raw materials to be mined/grown/manufactured, processed, packaged, and delivered. This is rather an energy-hungry, brief life for a such a small portion of coffee. The energy output of manufacturing is so fantastic, that no single-use item can compare to a multiple-use item - even if it's recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable.

When it comes to a pre-portioned pack of coffee, reusable capsules get this. The more your pod is recycled, the more sustainable each cuppa.

Aside from having the ability to choose your preferred brand name of coffee, there's another secret bonus to filling your own pods: it's far more cost-efficient than purchasing disposable pods. So if you're on a tight spending plan, purchase a pack of reusables and view your savings roll in.

In saying this, when it pertains to reusable, it's still crucial to be greenwash-aware. Something to remember when shopping for any reusable item, is that quality and longevity are essential - cheaper, sadly is seldom "better". Some red flags to keep an eye out for:
• Flimsy plastic multiple-use pods with an exceptionally restricted life expectancy (e.g. 30 usages).
• Plastic multiple-use pods that are not BPA totally free, food safe etc.
• Recyclable pods that come packaged in plastic.
• Pods from any organization or site that does not offer any information on it's sustainability practices (just because a product is "naked" on the shelf, does not suggest it's upstream supply chain was pollution-free).

They, Moving Beans, are a start-up that has been providing Nespresso capsules for several years, with more news under this link. Do read an interesting article on compostable coffee pods. They were one of the first to sell natural Nespresso-compatible coffee pods, see https://compostablecoffeepods.doodlekit.com/blog/entry/18539394/the-ecological-case-for-ecofriendly-coffee-pods.