5 reasons NOT to use reusable coffee pods

We love coffee, but more importantly, we love our planet. That's why we feel that reusable coffee pods are an excellent option for coffee capsule machine owners! However, we've heard on the grapevine that there are some skeptics who would recommend biodegradable capsules over reusable. Even worse (according to us), there are some people who are totally cool using plastic single-use coffee pods!! You're one of them? Excellent - this article is for you!

Here are 5 reasons not to use reusable coffee pods.

Why you shouldn't use eco-friendly pods: Steel reusable SealPod pods for Nespresso

1. You prefer biodegradable, single-use coffee pods

You are environmentally conscious - you don’t mind spending a little more for eco-friendly, biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. Here's what you may not know: the problem with many biodegradable or compostable options on the market is that they'll only decompose in industrial composting facilities within a sufficient timeframe. So if your coffee pods aren't headed to an industrial composting facility, sadly your capsules are potentially doing as much harm as a regular single-use, plastic disposable capsule would.

Biodegradable / compostable coffee pods end up sitting in landfill for hundreds of years

2. You love to spend money

This one's pretty self-explanatory - every time you buy something new, you spend money. If you use single-use coffee pods, not only are you contributing to the global landfill issue, you're also also spending your hard-earned cash every time you purchase a pack of pods. Reusable capsules are a much more economical choice (check out Crema Joe's capsule cost calculator here). But you know, each to their own!

Save money with refillable DIY coffee pods: Reusing is much cheaper

3. You prefer recyclable coffee pods

You just love to recycle! And the big coffee companies offer you a recycling option, so you honestly feel good thinking you're doing your bit for the environment. Heck, you might even think that you can recycle your coffee pods right there in your recycling bin! Well this is a bit awkward: the problem with coffee pods is that they're too small for the majority of recycling facilities. Firstly, recyclable capsules must be sent back to the company of purchase to be processed correctly. Secondly, recycling itself is energy intensive - think transportation, processing and distribution. Sadly, recycling coffee pods is simply a band-aid solution for a much bigger problem. 

Recyclable aluminium coffee capsules are a bandaid solution - find eco-friendly alternatives

4. Waste is your favourite 

Err.. ok then. Perhaps you're not concerned about your environmental footprint and the future of our Earth, or you're simply into trash. We don't want to "yuck somebody else's yum", but we're kind of hoping you're in the minority here. 

Less waste: Reusable/refillable coffee pods save money and the environment

5. You prize convenience over sustainability

You want your coffee, you want it fast, and you don't care what it takes to get that caffeine fix. We get it - we've all had days like that! It's true, switching from the über convenience of single-use to reusable requires putting a little more love into preparing your daily cuppa. It's cool though, we've got your back. Crema Joe have a range of reusable pods suited to differing needs, including user-friendly tamping/filling devices that can be used to pre-fill capsules at the start of the week. Yep! You can still get that convenience factor with reusables. 

Reasons you shouldn't refill or reuse your coffee pods for Nespresso

So if you are a person who doesn't give two hoots about unnecessary consumption, rather enjoys polluting the environment and just loves to spend money, reusable coffee pods are just not for you.

And don't check out our excellent range of sustainable coffee pods and accessories here. 


Olivia Moore is a guest blogger, an avid traveler and has a quest for adventure and a coffee junkie. She co-writes at Fourth Estate Coffee. She loves to travel and explore and can never say no to a well-made cup of coffee.
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