Most people like to start off their morning with a nice hot steaming cup of Joe. Some people can’t function without it. I prefer tea myself, but let’s look into the ways to green up most of the world’s favorite morning beverage.

1. Make Sure Your Coffee Label Says Fairtrade, organic, and/or bird-friendly certifications

When you’re choosing what to buy, think about supporting sustainable practices, especially for something you use every day like your coffee! Look for the Fairtrade Mark, which shows that the product meets international Fairtrade Standards. These standards ensure that farmers and workers get paid a fair price and follow important labor conventions. They also promote sustainable community and environmental practices.

You can also consider Certified Organic coffee for a more eco-friendly choice. Certified organic means it’s grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. This type of farming is better for the environment, wildlife, and the health of farm workers. Look for either the USDA Organic Seal or the Canada Organic Label when buying organic products in Canada; they have the same standards.

For something even more eco-conscious (though harder to find), look for the Smithsonian Bird Friendly certification. This certification means the coffee is Certified Organic AND grown in a way that protects biodiversity and native trees. Plantations must meet specific criteria based on conservation science, encouraging better bird habitats, soil protection, erosion control, and carbon storage.

2. Brew At Home

Brewing your coffee at home is a super easy way to cut down on waste from single-use cups and make sure your morning cup is sustainably sourced. Whether you prefer drip-coffee makers or single-serve machines, there are plenty of convenient styles of coffee appliances to choose from.

3. Use a Hand Grinder

If you grind your own beans, consider trying a hand grinder instead of an electric one. A good quality hand grinder allows you to choose your preferred coarseness, just like with electric grinders. Make sure you recycle the electric one if you switch.

4. For Single Use Machines – Use Reusable Pods

Skipping single-use items can make a big difference in cutting down waste, especially with pod coffee makers! While there are compostable pods out there, not all composting facilities can handle them or have the right conditions to break them down. Recycling plastic pods can also be a bit of a challenge. Using reusable pods is the greenest way to go with a single-cup maker since it leaves you with just coffee grounds to compost!

5. Composting Your Used Grounds

There is a big debate over whether coffee grounds should be added directly to the soil or to your compost. If you go to this reddit thread – you get many different answers, some anecdotal some just things that people have heard – Coffee Grounds: Yes or No?

Here is an article that says No to using coffee grounds in the garden – Why You Should NEVER Use Coffee Grounds In Your Garden

Here is one that says Yes – you be the judge. Coffee grounds for plants: the natural way to boost growth

6. A Staggering 50 Billion One-Use Coffee Cups are Thrown Out Yearly in the US Alone

When you’re on the go and need a pick-me-up, support local businesses that are into sustainability. Look for cafes that compost and offer metal spoons and porcelain cups. Some cafes even participate in to-go cup-sharing programs like Cuppy and Mug Share. In the US, over 120 billion disposable cups are thrown out every year, so every coffee cup matters! Make it a habit to bring your own reusable mug when you head out each morning. If you forget your mug, make it a rule not to get coffee that day. Once you realize the impact, bringing a mug will become second nature!