Environmental impact of coffee capsules
Much of the world's population starts their mornings with a good cup of coffee. How can you not do it, if it is the second most consumed drink? But do we all really consume responsibly? The answer is NO. This is because the majority leans towards coffee capsules. Well yes, that product that you see as something practical, easy to prepare, is really a powerful environmental pollutant.
In case you didn't know, Coffee capsules appeared for the first time in Spain in 2000.. Its popularity was such that, by 2017, the National Institute of Statistics (INE) included single doses in the list of the most consumed products.
The consumption rates are not the most surprising thing here, because many of these consumers have no idea that manufacturers hide information about their content. Starting with the true sugar levels, inaccurate amounts of caffeine and its obvious negative impacts on the environment.
On this occasion, Incapto Coffee, will be in charge of sharing interesting facts about the capsules. With the aim of promoting the consumption of a product as natural as freshly ground coffee. Yes, the same one that our parents and grandparents drink, which permeates that adorable smell throughout the place, and at the same time results in a vibrant and delicious cup.
How many coffee capsules are produced per year?
As a faithful follower of the second most consumed drink in the world. You must be aware that a total of 2.25 billion cups. It even beats tea. But we can assure you that you will be speechless when you find out that every minute 39 thousand capsules are produced around the world. Of which 13,500 and 29,000 are deposited in the trash. This gives a total of 20 billion single doses each year What a figure!
In fact, some specialists claim that if they place one next to the other, they could go around the world 14 times! According to the cooperative bank Rabobank, sales of coffee pods increased by 26% in recent decades. Exceeding other preparation methods up to eight times. A study published by Kantar Worldpanel reveals that coffee capsules will displace ground and soluble coffee.
What materials are they made of?
The concern of environmentalists is not only due to its consumption. Well, the problem centers on the material with which they are made. It turns out that most of the coffee capsulesThey are made from aluminum and plastic.. They have a layer of aluminum, which is covered by an internal plastic film. Which is responsible for isolating the coffee.
On the other hand, we can also find plastic and even paper capsules. The latter uses paper as a filter very similar to the one we use in traditional coffee makers.
As you know, aluminum has been a topic of debate for many years. Even a specialist in the matter affirms that said material is not harmless. That is to say, it would not cause harm to the consumer when preparing or ingesting it. But the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) He attributes the neurotoxic problems to excessive consumption. Simply put, aluminum is not carcinogenic.
Regarding the exposure of aluminum in certain foods, we recommend this article or this other where is it urging governments to adopt legislative and regulatory measures to reduce health risks derived from exposure to metal ions released in food through contact with materials and articles containing aluminum, following the principles and guidelines established in the Technical Guide on Metals and Alloys used in products in contact with food, however, it is clarified that these recommendations do not hinder the implementation of more rigorous national measures
However, a study by the University of Barcelona indicates that this class of products contains furan. A toxic organic compound that can form as a result of the Maillard reaction. This occurs during the heat treatment process of certain foods and beverages.
What makes coffee capsules become carcinogenic if a person consumes them in excess. For example, if you drink a total of 20 cups a day, according to the opinion of several experts.
We leave you some of the Studies in which it is stated that furan occurs naturally in coffee roasting, but preserved foods, such as coffee capsules prevent these volatile compounds from escaping, so that once the coffee is extracted by injection of water, the furans end up in the cup.
- https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-7-2011-004228_ES.html
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0023643819310606?via%3Dihub
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308814621008128?via%3Dihub
Can coffee capsules be recycled?
Unfortunately, coffee pods can take up to 100 years to completely degrade. This is due to its aluminum and plastic-based material. In addition to not separating from its contents like the rest of conventional packaging. in them organic remains usually remain, which makes its possible recycling even more difficult.
Another thing that makes these types of products a threat to the planet is due to incorrect recycling. Because most people don't have the time or interest to put empty capsules into the proper containers.
The environmental impact that coffee capsules have is of such magnitude that even the creator of single-serve K-cups, John Sylvan, regrets his invention. On several occasions he has confessed that he stopped using them due to their high price. At the same time, it is also responsible for clarifying that coffee capsules are difficult to recycle and that it is a pure advertising strategy of the manufacturers to assure the public that it is possible.
Are there biodegradable capsules?
A solution to this environmental problem can go hand in hand with the manufacture of biodegradable capsules. Cafés Novell is one of the companies in charge of launching them on the market. Its pods are compatible with Nespresso coffee machines. Given the growing wave of awareness on the part of many consumers. This Catalan company aims to sell a total of 500,000 units per year. To the surprise of many, they can disintegrate in one to three months.
The company also joined them Halo. Which was founded by a former Nespresso executive and, in view of the damage that this product has caused to the environment, they decided to offer 100% sustainable coffee capsules. An idea that arises after confirming that every year more than 20,000 million single doses end up being thrown into landfills.
Halo biodegradable capsules take at least 90 days to completely disintegrate. Its philosophy as a coffee brand is to bring to the market something that is good for the planet. Although its appearance is not the most attractive.
What materials do they use?
In order for disintegration to occur, they opt for biodegradable plastic, with which each of the capsules are manufactured. We refer to the Ecovio, a material designed by the German company Basf, which is dedicated to the production of this type of products. These use a polyester called Ecoflex, as well as the PLA biopolymer, made with corn starch.
The process is as follows: A recyclable paper completely covers the outside of the capsule. While inside there is biodegradable plastic. The structure is usually unified thanks to a compostable adhesive called EpotalEco, another of Basf's great creations.. This would avoid factors such as humidity, light and oxygen, which would be harmful to the product in the long run.
In the case of other companies, they have decided to manufacture their bio-capsules with plant fibers. Whose origin is 100% sustainable. Which means that after six months they disintegrate through industrial compost.
Myths and realities of biodegradable capsules
There are many speculations surrounding biodegradable coffee capsules. Some have even asked themselves: Are they really good for the environment? Fortunately, Incapto Coffee, will be responsible for revealing certain data that will help you know a little more about this product.
The first thing you should know is that organic single-dose doses are just a marketing strategy. Since, They are not entirely organic, which makes them unfavorable for the care of our planet. This is one of the main myths about them.
A strong reality that destroys their sustainable image is that they are more and equally polluting than those made of aluminum and plastic.. Because? Everything points to its manufacturing process. It turns out that producing them requires a lot of energy both to make the material, to package the coffee, and to compost it.
Do you remember that many companies claimed that they could disintegrate little by little? The truth is that this will not be possible if these products do not reach a plant specialized in composting. For this myth that most manufacturers make us believe to be true, the capsules must be treated so that this process is fulfilled. Now we ask ourselves: How many of these bio-capsules are not thrown into the garbage container?
As you know, the main objective of Incapto Coffee, is to promote natural coffee. We believe it is time to make that reminder, because these single doses do not have the same quality as some freshly ground grains, including your flavor and aroma.
What is certain is that the farce behind the biodegradable capsules came to light and has degraded before them. That is why, as a coffee brand and faithful promoters of environmental care, we invite humanity to avoid these types of products and opt for those that are natural and free of contaminants.
What's behind coffee capsules?
What nobody knows is that Most companies responsible for the sale of coffee pods apply what is known as “greenwashing.” In short, they are faithful to advertising strategies to clean up their image.
For example, many of these brands claim to offer quality, natural and contaminant-free capsules. When the reality is that they are a strong threat to the planet and do not have the same properties as natural, freshly ground coffee.
To explain it better, we take as an example the case of Nespresso, a company with an important position within the coffee industry, and at the same time, one of the main manufacturers of single-dose and capsule coffee machines and a market leader.
But an advertising scam puts them between a rock and a hard place. According to this brand, they intend to put an end to these polluting materials, however, the opposite is true, they continue to give the world this very harmful product.
The company, to defend itself and watch its back, states that over time the capsules can be recycled. An action that would be applied in each of the countries where they operate. Will it succeed?
On the other hand, the actual caffeine content is another of the big pitfalls. A specialist in the matter verified that Nespresso coffee capsules, They differ significantly in the amount of caffeine.
It was found that the larger they were, the higher the caffeine levels. That is why they recommend not being guided by the caffeine intensity content that this company places on each of the coffee capsule packaging. This could not only apply to Nespresso, but also to the rest of the commercial soluble coffee products. as with nutritional supplements.
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