I really enjoy coffee, but it’s actually the taste that I love, not the caffeine. There’s a lot of debate about whether coffee is good for you, but most people who can handle it can drink it in moderation without any issues. Over the past decade, the coffee industry, now worth billions, has undergone significant changes. Unfortunately, this isn’t due to a resurgence in traditional French press coffee makers.
Nowadays, coffee pods have skyrocketed in popularity because they’re convenient and fun to use. Although their inventor, John Sylvan, feels regret over creating them—as he originally intended them just for office use—coffee pods, often referred to as “k-cups,” have found a place in many homes across the globe. It’s estimated that more than 30% of American households now own a Keurig or similar machine, contributing to an almost $5 billion market last year.
I get the attraction of having a coffee maker ready to brew anytime you want, but like many things that seem too good to be true, coffee pods come with a downside. Here are some problems you might not know about:
One major issue that Sylvan regrets is the environmental impact. Coffee pods produce a huge amount of plastic waste annually. Most aren’t biodegradable or recyclable, although some companies are starting to offer biodegradable options. This is a significant issue because last year, enough k-cups were sold to wrap around the Earth 10.5 times! That’s a staggering amount for just one year. Almost 10 billion coffee pods were sold last year alone, and that figure keeps rising.
Recyclable k-cups are available, but they require you to separate the plastic, compost the coffee grounds, and dispose of the lid properly. Many people aren’t even aware that some of them can be recycled. With increasing levels of BPA and other plastic chemicals found in our water and even deep ice cores, experts are warning that these substances may be linked to rising global health problems. Coffee pods are a major source of these chemicals in landfills, and their popularity isn’t slowing down. This concern led to the creation of a dramatic video urging people to “kill the k-cup.”
Although the video is a bit exaggerated, it makes a point: even if you don’t use k-cups, the plastics impacting our environment affect us all. Green Mountain, the company behind Keurig, did announce plans to make their pods recyclable by 2020. Unfortunately, that means more plastic cups will still end up in landfills for five more years, and many people won’t bother recycling once they can.
On the health side of things, coffee pods also pose some risks. They’re made from plastic, so the usual concerns around consuming from plastic containers apply, but they’re intensified because hot liquid is involved, which can increase the transfer of plastic chemicals into the coffee. Chemicals like BPA, BPF, BPS, and phthalates are known to disrupt hormones and potentially lead to hormonal imbalances, weight gain, and fertility issues. Even though Keurig confirmed their pods are BPA-free, they found estrogenic activity and possibly polystyrene, a potential carcinogen, in them.
Moreover, the lids are typically made of aluminum, raising additional health concerns. Aluminum exposure has been linked to various health problems, including Alzheimer’s, depression, anxiety, and autoimmune diseases.
Coffee pod machines are also a haven for mold, mildew, algae, and biofilms because the internal water tank and lines can’t be fully drained, creating an ideal environment for these to thrive. Some suggest running several cycles with diluted vinegar for cleaning, but testing shows it doesn’t fully eliminate mold and biofilms. But to be honest, this mold issue isn’t limited to single-use machines—almost all coffee makers can get moldy, and lots of coffee mugs have been found to hold mold spores or even harmful bacteria.
From a cost perspective, single-use coffee pods are not a good deal. While they’re handy, a pound of coffee made from pods would cost over $50! Even top-quality organic coffees don’t usually cost that much. Many people end up paying significantly more for low-grade coffee sealed in plastic and aluminum, causing harm to our environment. If you’re looking to cut back on expenses, coffee pods are a good place to start.
I’d recommend not buying a coffee pod machine, and if you have one, consider getting rid of it. While they offer unmatched convenience, the health, environmental, and financial drawbacks aren’t worth it. Landfill plastics are a growing global issue, and these pods add to that problem.
I’m not suggesting you give up coffee; just brew it in a way that’s better for both you and the planet. And, if you’re committed to your Keurig, at least opt for compostable or reusable pods.
In my experience, brewing coffee without pods is easy and quick. I use a glass electric kettle and a stainless steel French press. I heat water in the kettle for about 30 seconds, grind fresh organic beans, place them in the French press, pour the hot water over them, and stir. After a minute or so, I press the filter down and enjoy fresh coffee without any plastic, aluminum, or biofilms. If you like espresso, like my husband, try using a traditional stovetop espresso maker.
I confess, I once owned a coffee pod machine, using only reusable or biodegradable pods, but after learning about their downsides, I went back to using a French press and haven’t looked back.
Do you love coffee too? How do you brew yours?
