If you’re anywhere near as addicted to coffee as we are, a home coffee machine is a must. While pod machines can be a cost-effective and easy-to-use option, discarded pods are a real problem for the environment. Thankfully, reusable stainless steel pods could provide the perfect solution.
Earlier this year, we spoke about some of the ways we are trying to be more sustainable at home, and our coffee consumption is something we’ve been planning to improve for a while. So, here’s why we’re making the switch to reusable coffee pods.
Coffee pods are rubbish for the environment
As you might know, most used coffee pods (along with the packaging) end up in landfill. And, with Australians alone burning through 3 million pods a day, that’s a whole lot waste.
While there are useful recycling programs for certain pods and other biodegradable and compostable options, these aren’t without their faults. To me, they’re really more of a band-aid fix than an effective solution.
Ultimately, it’s better to use less than to try and find ways to solve a waste problem. Recycling sounds great on paper, but the process can be much more labour intensive than many realise – and it often requires a lot of resources.
Again, biodegradable and compostable options sound great, but the terms are used so loosely and there’s no clear guide on how long it will take to break down. Especially without access to the industrial compositing conditions that are often required. So, the single-use pods have got to go!
We already own a machine
We bought our Nespresso Creatista machine back in 2018 when we first moved into our house, almost like a housewarming present to ourselves. It makes delicious coffee, and I can tell you that machine has paid for itself 100 times over!
At the time, I was self-employed and working from home. And, Melbourne’s COVID-19 lockdowns throughout the last 18 months have meant a return to the home office. So, you can imagine what a workout it’s been getting.
You might ask why we don’t simply upgrade to a standard espresso machine and avoid pods altogether. Well, that in itself comes with it’s own problems. While we haven’t ruled out a new, podless machine in the future, it doesn’t make sense to say goodbye to it just yet.
Consider all the materials and resources it would take to make the machine. On top of that, there is the packaging and shipping. When you add it all up, it would be a while before the benefits of a new machine would outweigh the problem with using pods with the one we already have.
Also, reports suggest that pod machines themselves are surprisingly efficient – and use significantly less energy than some espresso machines. While we tend to focus on the pods because that’s what we physically see, there’s actually a lot more to the story.
The taste is just as good
Of course, a big part of the appeal of pod machines is delicious, barista-quality coffee from the comfort of your own home. So, if you’re going to switch to reusable coffee pods, it’s important for your coffee to taste great.
Good news: it will. Some might argue that it actually tastes better! With the option to sources beans from anywhere you like, you can choose the exact same beans from your favourite cafe and get essentially the same flavour at home.
So far, we’ve only trialled Commonfolk Coffee, which is stocked by our favourite local cafe. The verdict? Delicious, and we’re excited to test out some other blends.
And, you can also use the leftover coffee in your compost or as a great garden fertiliser, or to feed your indoor plants. I haven’t tried this yet, but I’m keen to give it a go and see how our plants respond.
They’re super easy to use
…once you get the hang of it. Truthfully, there were a few very weak and watery coffees on our first few attempts, and we were a little naïve about the process. So much so, that we didn’t actually bother to do any research on what you’re actually meant to do.
Firstly, if you’re buying ground beans, make sure you ask for the right grind. This might depend on the type of pods you buy, but stovetop grind should do the trick. I’ve since read that it can be even better to buy your own grinder and buy the beans whole – as this allows you to perfect the grind to your individual tastes.
Secondly, pay attention to how you pack your pods. Too tight and the water won’t be able to run through and will just drip from the machine. Too loose and the water will run through too quickly without taking in all that coffee goodness. It can take a bit of playing around, and you may want to invest in a tamper to help.
Next, make sure you choose the shortest shot setting on your machine, like the Nepresso ‘ristretto’ setting. For the best results, it’s recommended that you use two pods and stop them both halfway through the pour. This gives a beautiful, full-bodied coffee with a good crema.
While it may sound like there’s a lot going on, don’t worry. Once you get a feel for it, it takes all of a minute if that. Actually, it’s kind of a nice little ritual, especially if you adore the scent of coffee like I do. And, if you tend to be short on time, you can even consider buying a few back up reusable coffee pods to pack and keep on hand so that you’re all set to go.
They’re also cost effective
We purchased a pack of three reusable pods with a tamper, scoop and cleaning brush from One Pod for $99. While it’s a bit of an initial outlay, what you’ll save on beans compared to buying coffee pods will quickly cover the cost.
So, that’s our wrap up. If you use a coffee pod machine, switching to reusable coffee pods means you can enjoy all the benefits of convenient pods without the waste – and the guilt!
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