Coffee is a popular drink in many parts of the world. It is estimated that people globally consume around 400 billion cups of coffee daily. It’s everyone’s morning wake-me-up and afternoon pick-me-up, and as such, any average person can guzzle more than one cup per day (we all know someone!).

It’s easy to discount one’s coffee drinking habits. But taken with the world at large, it becomes compelling to confront the sustainability impact of your daily brew. It begs the question, “How green is your coffee?”

Why should you care?

Many conditions put the coffee industry on the radar of environmental activists: troubling farming practices, excess food waste, and bad coffee-shop habits. Consumers may protest that they can do little about farming practices, but just as much environmental footprint stems from the end stages of the supply chain.

For instance, did you know that when coffee grounds are dumped at landfill sites, they release methane which has a greenhouse effect 20 times higher than carbon dioxide? Traditional coffee businesses also encourage a throw-away mindset with their single-use cups, disposable filters, and eco-unfriendly practices.

How can you help?

Whether you are a business owner who wants to tailor your brand to sustainable practices or a conscious consumer who wants to be more mindful of your environmental impact, many behaviours and practices are actually within your control! Here are some ways you can help.

1. Use recyclable containers

You can imagine the staggering amount of waste generated in a single business day, and they end up in the landfill after one use! Consider alternative options for single-use plastic materials, such as wooden stirrers, paper straws, or glass bottles. You may also consider supporting businesses that incentivise their customers for using their own reusable containers or bottles, or run bottle return programs to encourage recycling.

2. Reuse coffee grounds

Did you know that used coffee grounds make great fertilisers? Earthworms love them, and garden pests hate them! They’re an organic compost that adds nutrients to the soil like potassium and nitrogen to improve plant growth. Make arrangements with your local community garden or other compost drop-off points — anyone would be glad to receive them!

3. Support local

When you acquire products from local suppliers, you empower not just your local economy — you reduce your carbon footprint too! Imagine the difference it makes when your coffee products aren’t shipped from across the globe to get to your location. Get yourself a bottled cold brew coffee in Singapore that is brewed and bottled locally — you are sure to find a local option that’s as good, if not better, as from countries far away!

4. Choose sustainable coffee methods 

Cafes uses a range of power-hungry equipment like espresso machines and water heaters. If your choice of coffee makes a difference to you in terms of sustainability, you may want to consider cold brew.

Cold brewing is probably the most sustainable method there is. It requires minimal equipment and uses fewer ingredients — you need only cold brew concentrate, a steeping filter, and a storage container — on top of that, you can use a reusable container and a washable or compostable filter! You can even be adventurous and try out different cocktail recipes with your cold brew!

Conclusion 

Sustainability is not a walk in the park. But coffee lovers, whether business owners or consumers, should take stock of their environmental responsibilities. At Wake The Crew, we take sustainability seriously. We are always on the lookout for alternatives to use more responsibly and sustainably, and are open to any collaborations that allow us to do so. If you are looking for a B2B wholesale supplier for cold brew coffee and coffee concentrate, feel free to reach out to us!