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

We are glad that you are here. There are clearly more blogs on compostable Nespresso pods, coffee and coffee pods. Other interesting materials on plastic-free coffee capsules are for instance from leading media publishers, or Moving Beans. Or browse our pertinent blog on Nespresso pods as well as https://blogfreely.net/compostablecoffeepods/h2-the-environmental-case-for-eco-friendly-coffee-capsules-h2-hr-we-are.

Ever been tricked by an artificial flower arrangement? Ever admired the foliage just to find that (upon closer evaluation) the arrangement remains in fact a scams? Greenwashing operate in a really similar way - brands harnessing deceptive marketing to convince you that an item is environmentally friendly and for that reason "better for the environment".

Regretfully, much of these companies assume consumers have their head in the sand, and in the coffee capsule industry in particular, we're certainly seeing these kinds of marketing techniques rising. Reassuring words like "recyclable", "eco-friendly", "plant based" and "compostable" really put your mind at ease, right? But on an useful level, what do these terms actually imply and are they in fact as good as they sound?

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

Don't be fooled by tricky advertising strategies or confusing terminology and labelling - we have actually assembled the details you require to avoid being greenwashed. So, are the coffee pods you're utilizing in fact "green"? Let's learn.

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

Most cluey customers are becoming smart to the fact that the service that is "recyclable" coffee pods isn't wonderful and as basic as we've been led to believe. Sadly, the process of recycling capsules is neither kind nor practical to the environment.

For lots of customers, the rigmarole around recycling their pods avoids them from following through - it has actually been stated that of the 13,500 capsule coffees consumed every minute, just 21% make it through to the recycling process. Some brand names need to be dropped at particular collection points, posted straight to the business, or perhaps need dismantling and cleaning before the elements can be recycled independently - general, the process is highly energy-intensive.

Maybe because of this, the former Nespresso CEO estimates the around the world rate of recycling for coffee pods to be less than 5%. Additionally, with the energy required to carry and process the capsules in a recycling facility, is this really a sustainable option at all, or simply a bandaid option for a much bigger problem?

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

Problem = 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 solution for a much bigger waste concern

When it comes to pods what does "plant-based" even indicate, and what's it got to do with how the capsule is disposed of? To the average individual, it sure sounds wholesome, beautiful and positive - but are they a better option than disposable, plastic pods?

Well, the primary claim you'll typically find here is that part of the pod product packaging contains particular portion of plant-based material. Frequently, the materials will be stemmed from a renewable resource, such as corn or sugarcane. If you look carefully, often these are also identified as "degradable". Here's the kicker: degradable is not to be puzzled with biodegradable, since anything that is degradable will not completely break down into the soil when it winds up in landfill. Rather, it develops into tiny pieces of plastic that will never break down, adding to the micro plastics concern we're presently fighting in our waterways and oceans.

Essentially, when these wind up in landfill or our environment, they cause more damage than great. In our humble viewpoint? This is probably not an excellent choice.

Problem = The majority of plant-based pods just break down into small micro plastics

Compostable/ eco-friendly coffee pods made from plant-based products like corn and sugarcane

Compostable and naturally degradable - they're kind of the exact same, but kind of ... not. With sustainability "trends" on the increase, compostable and eco-friendly coffee pod choices are now abundant.

Video: Sustainable and Nespresso Pods by Moving Beans such as https://blogfreely.net/compostablecoffeepods/h2-the-environmental-case-for-eco-friendly-coffee-capsules-h2-hr-we-are.

Let's break this down (pun intended): Products that biodegrade or compost can certainly be great for minimizing waste, if disposed of properly. However, even if an item is identified as "compostable", it does not necessarily mean that it will break down in your house compost.

Usually, coffee pods made entirely of bioplastics require commercial composting (industrially heats, moisture levels, and UV light) to disintegrate within any sensible timespan. Even still, these materials can leave behind micro-fragments and poisonous residues.

It's an obscure fact that, regrettably, it's not likely your house composting system has what it takes to break down your naturally degradable pods. Some councils offer industrial composting through their kerbside green waste collection, however they may forbid products identified naturally degradable or compostable, so it's vital that you verify. Always be sure to consult your regional council to see if they accept bioplastic very first before getting rid of.

If you were after a coffee pod that's safe to put straight in your garden compost bin, we can comprehend how this might be confusing. Some red flags to keep an eye out for (in small print on the back of packaging, or at the really base/footer of a website) are lines like:
" They are recyclable and biodegradable, however 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 regional council before getting rid of in your green bin."

When it pertains to compostable products in general, preferably you wish to try to find products that are Australian certified as "Home Compostable" by the Australian Bioplastics Association, ensuring they're labelled as safe for composts, are made from veggie material and are plastic complimentary - phew!

Secret takeaway? If it feels and look like plastic, constantly research study and read the fine print on how to compost each brand prior to you buy.

Issue = Many compostable & naturally degradable pods require commercial composting centers to breakdown

Bioplastic coffee pods: Sustainable, or greenwash? Think twice if they look like plastic

As you understand, every product requires basic materials to be mined/grown/manufactured, processed, packaged, and delivered. This is quite 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 eco-friendly.

The best thing we humans can do for the environment is to consume less. This minimizes not only our waste, but also the energy expended in producing an item. Consuming less is something to remember for all aspects of life. So when it concerns a pre-portioned pack of coffee, reusable capsules get this right. The more your pod is recycled, the more sustainable each cuppa.

Aside from being able to select your preferred brand of coffee, there's another secret bonus offer to filling your own pods: it's much more affordable than buying non reusable pods. So if you're on a tight budget, invest in a pack of reusables and enjoy your savings roll in.

In saying this, when it pertains to reusable, it's still essential to be greenwash-aware. Something to remember when searching for any reusable item, is that quality and durability are key - less expensive, unfortunately is seldom "much better". Some warnings to keep an eye out for:
• Flimsy plastic multiple-use pods with an incredibly restricted life-span (e.g. 30 uses).
• Plastic recyclable pods that are not BPA free, food safe and so on
• Recyclable pods that come packaged in plastic.
• Pods from any organization or website that does not supply any details on it's sustainability practices (just because a product is "naked" on the shelf, doesn't indicate it's upstream supply chain was pollution-free).

They, Moving Beans, are an SME that has provided compostable Nespresso pods for a very long time, with more news at the website of Moving Beans. Alternatively read a related blog on compostable Nespresso pods. They were one of the first to provide compostable coffee capsules, see https://blogfreely.net/compostablecoffeepods/h2-the-environmental-case-for-eco-friendly-coffee-capsules-h2-hr-we-are.