SINGLE SERVE VERSES BREWED COFFEE
An independent Life Cycle Analysis determined that if North American consumers switched to single-serve coffee systems, there would likely be environmental benefits including reduced water and coffee waste.
The life cycle of a single serve coffee pod includes its environmental effects and energy use from the farm, to overseas transportation, to coffee roasting, to your kitchen and into waste disposal.
Single serve coffee uses an exact serving of fresh coffee in a controlled process – leading to minimal coffee wastage.
Consumers are more likely to prepare more drip brewed coffee than they need. Whatever we pour down the sink wastes all the energy, water and resources it took to produce that coffee.
Bulk brewing systems typically use a hot plate to keep the coffee warm and can use more energy than single serve systems.
"With the rise of single serve, the coffee sector is losing its best customer - the kitchen sink"
The LCA determined that if North American consumers switched to single-serve coffee systems there would likely be environmental benefits including coffee waste reduction. Additional benefits could be achieved with the development of coffee machines with better energy-saving capabilities and extended service lives.
