Use Phase Behaviors and Habits
Personal habits about coffee consumption – from the type of brewing method, amount consumed versus wasted, boiling
of water, keeping the pot on warm vs. reheating, and cleaning, etc. – can be variables that alter the overall CF of coffee.
Though seemingly easy to alter, many of these behaviors can be difficult to change especially in commercial or workplace
settings. One study demonstrates that the total life cycle carbon footprint of making coffee with a single-serve capsule
system is essentially equal to a drip-brewed coffee maker if there is no waste or other inefficiencies in the use of the drip
coffee system. When more coffee is made than is consumed, as is common with drip-brewed systems, the impacts of
wasted coffee present a trade-off with the impacts of packaging in single-serve systems that may need more material
resources to produce. In general, over-preparing and wasting coffee adds to its impact, and in situations where this occurs
often, it may be environmentally preferable to use single-serve systems.
Packaging and Disposable Cups
A study of coffee packaging by Franklin Associates (2008) indicates that brick packs and laminate bags perform better
with respect to energy use, GHGE and total solid waste generated, out-performing steel cans, plastic canisters, and
fiberboard and steel canisters. The question of whether reusable or disposable cups, and which disposable cups, are
better for the environment has to consider the energy efficiency of dishwashing machines and regional electricity grid mix,
as impacts of a reusable cup (500+ uses) are almost completely driven by washing the cup. The reusable cup is the better
option in regions corresponding to approximately 68 percent of the nation’s residential population for all dishwashers
evaluated in one report, including the oldest (least efficient) options. This includes the Pacific Northwest, where the
electricity grid mix has a lower carbon footprint than the national average and the reusable cup is the preferred option with
respect to the carbon footprint regardless of dishwasher energy efficiency. For the remaining 32 percent of the nation’s
population, with the most carbon intensive electricity mixes, the results depend on appliance efficiency.
Conclusions
Many individuals make daily coffee consumption choices. A better understanding of the environmental impacts of those
choices can lead to reductions in system impacts. This review of the LCA literature has identified the following
conclusions:
On-farm coffee production and the “use” phase of brewing coffee (and cleaning up after consumption) stand out as
the most important stages across the life cycle.
Contrary to popular imagination, international transport from the country of coffee production to the country of
consumption is a relatively minor contributor to the overall environmental footprint.
Contrary to consumption trends, instant coffee appears to be an environmentally preferable way to consume coffee.
Informed choices and behavioral shifts such as avoiding making too much coffee or boiling extra water, turning off
“keep warm” features, and washing cups in cold rather than hot water can lead to significant reductions in the
environmental impact of consuming a cup of coffee.
Packaging can be an important contributor to environmental impact for pre-brewed coffee.
Multi-material laminate packaging appears to be preferred over plastic, steel or fiberboard/steel canisters for
packaging coffee beans.
With multiple cup brewing systems, over-preparation and subsequent waste of brewed coffee can have a significant
influence on overall environmental performance. Despite the increase in packaging, single-serve machines may
represent a preferable option if they aid in avoiding over-preparation.
Likewise, coffee machines with “ready-to-serve” or “keep warm” features can result in noticeable increases in energy
consumption and thus environmental impact.
While the literature doesn’t consistently identify a clear winner in choosing which type of single-use cup to drink your
coffee from, reusable cups have demonstrated environmental benefits, particularly in areas where electricity (used for
heating water and washing cups) is not entirely derived from coal or petroleum. Rinsing and reusing ceramic cups
even once between full washes can dramatically improve environmental performance per use.