Reducing Your Carbon Footprint With Office Coffee
There are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint at the office, from switching to black coffee to water-based inks for your office coffee cups. You can also support local coffee roasters and buy carbon offsets. We hope you enjoy your cup of Joe and will consider reducing your carbon footprint simultaneously. What’s your favourite way to reduce your carbon footprint? Let us know in the comments below!
Taking coffee black reduces carbon footprint by more than half.
A study showed that black coffee has fewer carbon emissions than drinking it with sugar and milk. Moreover, coffee has less water scarcity. A cup of coffee produced by drip-brewing has a carbon footprint of 0.27 to 0.70 kg CO2 eq. For one litre of drip-brewed black coffee without sugar, approximately 0.02 m3 water is used in its production. A recent study found that you are responsible for more than 140 litres of water if you drink coffee. Tea, on the other hand, uses only 34 litres.
That means a cup of black tea has the same carbon footprint as a cup of coffee. However, coffee is more commonly accompanied by sugar and milk. That large latte can contribute up to 340g of CO2 to the atmosphere. In addition, a single coffee carries a measurable carbon footprint, so if you’re trying to cut down on your impact, go for a black cup. Starbucks has made some bold goals to reduce its carbon footprint, aiming to have half of its carbon emissions a decade from now.
For instance, its most recent environmental assessment found that dairy products contribute to carbon emissions. And it aims to cut its water withdrawal by 50% and its waste to landfills by 2030. By cutting out milk and sugar from your coffee, you reduce your carbon footprint. While this isn’t the same as not drinking any coffee, it will help your waistline and smaller carbon footprint. If you don’t like milk or sugar, other plant-based alternatives are available that have different nutritional values and carbon footprints. So, what is the best option for you? You’ll have to decide for yourself.
Using water-based inks on office coffee cups
Compared to solvent-based inks, water-based inks have a significantly lower carbon footprint. They can be used to reduce carbon emissions by up to 30 per cent. Water-based inks also match the print quality of solvent-based inks due to improvements in resin technology and formulation knowledge. Many of the companies we work with have switched to water-based inks to reduce their carbon footprint. The increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has devastating effects on our environment.
Too much CO2 causes irreversible damage to ecosystems, and our average carbon footprint must be less than two tons by 2050. Worldwide, over 9.5 billion kg of coffee is produced annually. Demand for coffee is projected to triple by 2050.
Using water-based inks on office coffee cups reduces the carbon footprint of our everyday habits. Using water-based inks on paper cups in your office will significantly reduce your company’s carbon footprint. The coatings are usually made from water-based polymer dispersions. These are formulated into ready-to-use coatings for cup stock. For instance, a water-based coating made from ACRYCOTE APC-200 resin is one of these ready-to-use materials.
This material enables companies to reduce their carbon footprint by 100 million cups per year. Water-based inks on office coffee cups have a lower carbon footprint because they require less energy. However, many companies still struggle to find suitable materials. However, some newer technologies are helping to address this issue. These innovative coatings can reduce the costs of unit cup stock. For example, online extrusion, slot coaters and slide curtain coatings eliminate offline handling, extrusion, and lamination. Another way to reduce your company’s carbon footprint is to switch to biodegradable materials.
For example, many paper cups have PE coatings on the outside. However, most recycling facilities can’t process food-contaminated waste streams. That means a significant reduction in the recovery of used coffee cups. Further, most fossil-based plastic-coated paper coffee cups are not biodegradable and take up to 20 years to decompose in landfills, thus contributing to the pollution of rivers and land.
Using local coffee roasters
When brewing office coffee, using local coffee roasters helps companies reduce their carbon footprint and water usage. Using sustainable practices can reduce emissions by almost 80%. To reduce their water usage, offices can choose 100% compostable kilo coffee bags and switch to an electric car for local deliveries. Some speciality roasters are even turning to greener machinery to cut energy usage.
Some companies, such as Bellwether, switch to renewable energy sources to reduce their carbon emissions. The company also sources its coffee beans from local farms whenever possible. This practice has several benefits, including a lower price for office coffee. It also helps local farmers, which benefits the local economy.
Additionally, companies that use locally-sourced coffee are also likely to be more aware of their carbon footprint. Green cosmetics are already made from coffee grounds, and a company using local roasters can help reduce its carbon footprint even further. Using local coffee roasters for office beverages can reduce an organisation’s carbon footprint. Local coffee roasters can help a company’s image by showcasing their carbon-neutral certification on the packaging.
Not only will it create a product that customers will love, but it will also improve the image of its brand. Many companies are implementing this strategy, with some becoming carbon neutral themselves. The process of brewing a coffee cup can dramatically affect an office’s carbon footprint. A single pound of coffee can result in four pounds of carbon emissions, two at the farm and one at the mill. In direct trade relationships, a company can visit a farm in-person to purchase coffee beans, making the process more sustainable.
The coffee industry is also plagued with human rights abuses and environmental issues. Using a local coffee roaster reduces the company’s carbon footprint by as much as 87 per cent. This coffee roaster will also lower its cost by 30 to 50 per cent. It will also provide opportunities to increase sales and generate additional revenue streams for the company.
Using carbon offsets
A coffee company has many options for reducing its carbon footprint. One option is to source organic coffee. Monoculture and conventional farming release carbon into the atmosphere and soil, thereby reducing the quality of the soil. Furthermore, non-organic farming involves additional emissions due to the use of fertilisers and agrochemicals. By sourcing organic coffee, these emissions are eliminated. However, sourcing organic coffee is not enough to reduce your carbon footprint.
To determine whether or not your company has a measurable carbon footprint, look at the methods your company uses to make your coffee. For instance, if you use paper cups and coffee filters, paper filters, and reusable coffee cups, you can use carbon offset from Terrapass. Carbon offsets help reduce emissions and contribute to projects supporting solar energy and sustainable forestry. Start by calculating your carbon footprint using a carbon offset calculator, and you’ll soon realise how much of an impact your daily coffee consumption has.
To offset the emissions of your daily office coffee, look for a company that aims to offset carbon emissions. Carbon offsets are money you’ll spend to make other companies carbon-neutral. It’s an effective way to reduce your carbon footprint and make a difference. It’s not difficult to find a carbon offset partner that can meet your company’s needs. You can choose from among several carbon offset providers and decide which option is right for you.
Many companies are pursuing carbon neutrality as part of their social responsibility. Some companies even certify their office space, products, or parts of their operations. These companies partner with an agency to determine their total carbon emissions and set a goal to be carbon neutral. Small changes can be as simple as upgrading lighting systems to more significant changes that include switching to renewable energy during manufacturing processes. The options are endless.
Carbon Footprint With Office Coffee – Find some of the best office coffee machines here.
Other Useful links about Office Coffee Machines
The Benefits of Coffee Breaks at Work
What Is European Coffee Culture?
How Many Cups of Coffee Should You Drink Every Day?
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