How to consume better?

Coffee is one of the most consumed products in the world. And like all global agricultural products, it has an environmental impact. The good news is that there are real alternatives for drinking better coffee... and one that's kinder to the planet. From packaging, transportation, cultivation, and consumption methods, let's take a look at the actions that really matter.

Where does the ecological impact of coffee come from?

Growing coffee requires resources: water, land, human labor, but also transportation (sometimes thousands of kilometers) and packaging. Industrial coffee, often mass-produced on intensive plantations, can involve significant deforestation, heavy chemical use, and very low producer compensation.

Add to that disposable aluminum or plastic capsules and non-recyclable packaging, and you have a drink with a much higher environmental cost than it seems.

Coffees grown differently

Not all coffee is created equal, ecologically speaking. Specialty coffee, for example, is often grown in the shade on human-scale farms, with particular attention paid to biodiversity and soil health. It also commands a fairer price, allowing producers to implement sustainable farming practices.

Some cooperatives or producers are even committed to organic certification, reforestation or even post-harvest treatments that require less water.

Capsules vs. Coffee Beans: The Match

Coffee capsules, as convenient as they may be, generate a huge amount of waste. Even if they're recyclable, capsules require a specific collection system, which consumers rarely follow. In France, more than 60% of capsules end up in the regular trash.

Whole-bean coffee, on the other hand, requires little packaging. And most importantly, it produces no waste once brewed: coffee grounds are compostable, and coffee can be purchased in bulk or in recyclable, or even reusable, bags.

Transport: a major issue... but one that needs to be qualified

Coffee comes from far away, it's a fact. The impact of maritime transport exists, but it is often overestimated compared to other factors (such as the use of capsules or the cultivation method). Initiatives are emerging to limit this impact: some importers favor shipping by sail, while others optimize routes or support shorter supply chains.

Buying transparently sourced coffee, with better controlled transport, is a real ecological gesture.

Simple actions to consume better

• Buy whole beans , rather than ground or in capsules. It's less processed, less packaged, and much better.
• Choose coffees with clear traceability , grown in good conditions (often indicated on product sheets).
• Use a manual brewing method (like a French press, Aeropress, or V60): zero electricity, zero waste.
• Compost your coffee grounds : they are excellent for plants.
• Store your coffee in an airtight, durable container to avoid waste caused by improper storage.

Conclusion

Drinking more eco-friendly coffee doesn't mean giving up pleasure—quite the opposite. It means choosing a product that's better to drink, more ethical, and more respectful of the world in which it was born. A small gesture, perhaps. But when multiplied by millions of enthusiasts, it has real power.

Find out how to store your coffee beans .