I am taking tiny steps to reduce my trips to the local coffee shop to help reduce the need to use gas, save money, help the environment, etc. After all, that is where individuals start to make a difference…tiny actions/steps in the right direction (although bigger steps are nice too).

I am talking about increasing my use of a manual coffee maker, coffee press, or if you really want to sound like you know what you are talking about…a cafetière. I have found that I enjoy coffee made in a press over a traditional pot or pod maker. In my opinion, the press allows more of the coffee’s blend of oils and flavor to come through. On the other hand, my wife would readily say that it makes it smell even more awful than before. I just love the smell and taste of coffee.

Have you ever glanced in the tiny trash bin located near the coffee and tea condiments? You really start to realize what some folks dispose of and waste for their daily cup of Joe.

The benefits of using a coffee press over the traditional coffee pot or trip to the coffee house include:

  • Increasing the likelihood that a person will recycle. How many people do you know that are like me and take recyclables home? People are more likely to throw it in their bin at home from a convenience standpoint…do you agree?
  • Eliminating the use of paper cups and heat shield sleeves (assuming you don’t use a travel mug or other reusable container).
  • Minimizing the need to use electricity.
  • Eliminating the use of a paper coffee filters.
  • Eliminating the need to use a wood or plastic stir stick.
  • Reducing the amount of unnecessary trash.

If using a French Press is not for you…that’s completely respectable. You can still make small changes to help the environment and resources.

  • You can buy stainless steel filters for your standard pot.
  • Buy large packages of sweetener rather than individual packets.
  • Compost the coffee grounds or just dump them in your flowerbed to add some nitrogen back to the soil. Plants love it.

Do you have other ideas?