Green Your Coffee Maker – Use a French Press!

Overall, coffee machines and espresso makers are not the greatest energy drains on our monthly electric bill, so the green options are more subtle and complex than choosing a washer/dryer or refrigerator. For larger, energy-consuming devices, the EPA provides the Energy Star system and manufacturers themselves provide detailed specifications and product back-story to explain efficiency enhancements in design. Coffee makers are not evaluated by Energy Star, and there are few companies that promote the eco-impact of their coffee making machines.

Some conventional perspectives will help us better understand the effect of your coffee machine choice, let’s begin with lifecycle design: The coffee maker is often used as an example of how smart decisions in the design phase can dramatically reduce overall environmental footprint over the product’s lifecycle. The lifecycle software company Pre, based in the Netherlands, suggests that the two main drivers of negative environmental impact in coffee makers are wasted paper filters and energy consumption. Coffee makers that provide filter-less brewing, and lower energy use, are likely better options. You can get durable, reuseable unbleached cotton or gold plated, stainless steel filters to suit many brands of coffee makers and replace the disposable paper filters.

French presses are likely the most environmentally friendly option, at first glance they certainly look low impact – there is no electricity involved! – but you do burn gas or electric energy to heat water, and then again when you wash the press in a dishwasher or sink. So the efficiency of your cleaning method becomes a defining element. If you enjoy a persistently hot cup of coffee throughout the day, a thermos may be your best option to enjoy the whole pot without using up additional energy.

In conclusion, a French press thermos is the most eco-friendly option. Additionally, French pressed quality coffee tastes best prepared in this way!