In the past year, manufacturers have begun producing eco-friendly alternatives to the traditional plastic K-Cup® pods. This is exciting news for consumers, who can now enjoy single serve coffee, lattes, hot chocolates and teas without contributing to landfills. The solutions range from recyclable capsules to almost fully biodegradable pods – manufacturers are using sustainable materials in their packaging in hopes of eventually cutting plastic out of the packaging all together.
Here is a breakdown of the different capsules and brands that feature environmentally friendly options for single serve lovers.
RealCup® EcoCup™ Capsules
The RealCup® EcoCup™ capsules are designed to be recyclable. They are manufactured with easily separated components, so you can recycle and compost the appropriate parts. The EcoCup™ is compatible for use with Keurig® K-Cup® brewers.
Recycling the EcoCup™ is easy. After brewing, let the capsule cool and then:
- Locate the raised symbol on the side of the cup.
- Peel away the lid from the outer plastic cup and separate the lid from the filter.
- Recycle the outer plastic cup where #6 polystyrene plastic is accepted*. Compost the coffee grinds/tea, and place the remaining lid and filter in the trash.
*Check with your local recycling service provider.
The following brands use the EcoCup™ capsule:
97% Biodegradable OneCup™
OneCup™ is a type of coffee pod developed by the Rogers Family Gourmet Coffee & Tea Company that is 97% biodegradable. They plan on releasing a new capsule very soon that will be 100% biodegradable! OneCup™ coffee pods come packaged in recyclable and biodegradable components for additional eco-friendliness. The OneCup™ is compatible for use with Keurig® K-Cup® brewers.
The ring and lid of the OneCup™ coffee pods are both created from plant based materials that are biodegradable, the box and the bag that the capsules come in are cardboard and paper products that can be recycled, and the coffee is shade grown, pure 100% Arabica Coffee. The filter is created from food grade materials, however it is not yet compostable.
Composting the OneCup™ is easy. After brewing, let the pod cool and then:
- Cut off the filter of the capsule after it has cooled.
- Separate the coffee grounds and the lid from the filter.
- Deposit the coffee grounds, lid and capsule into your compost bin.
Note: The OneCup™ will be fully composted in 3-6 months, and composts faster in a warmer environment.
The following brands use the OneCup™ coffee pod:
98% Recyclable Capsules with Biodegradable Filters
There are also brands that are using capsules made with fully biodegradable and recyclable components. These capsules are great because you don’t put a single part in the trash!
The lids are made from recyclable high barrier aluminum, the capsule is created using a proprietary formulation plastic which is also recyclable, and the filter is a biodegradable custom weave made from natural fibres. The 98% Recyclable Capsules with Biodegradable Filters are compatible for use with Keurig® K-Cup® brewers.
Recycling the capsule is easy. After brewing, let the capsule cool and then:
- Locate the tab on the lid.
- Peel away the lid and separate the filter from the outer plastic cup. Recycle the outer plastic cup and lid.
- Compost the remaining filter and coffee grounds/tea!
Bonus: If you are brewing a latte or hot chocolate, there is no filter so you can recycle those capsules right after use.
The following brands use the 98% Recyclable Capsules with Biodegradable Filters: