Our lives present us with new challenges every day that we must face. Some of them are surprising, others are repetitive – like the morning struggle to get out of bed, in which we are, however, ably supported by our beloved cup of coffee. It's no wonder, then, that coffee has established itself as far more than just a luxury item, but as a pick-me-up and the perfect way to start the day.

The numbers confirm this. With almost 164 liters per capita per year, coffee is clearly the Germans' favorite beverage. However, the fact that almost a quarter of this comes from coffee capsules leaves a bitter aftertaste – because aluminum and plastic capsules are anything but sustainable. This is where compostable coffee capsules come into play. But what exactly are they?

We shed light on the matter and clarify the following questions about sustainable coffee enjoyment:

• Why should you avoid aluminum capsules?
• What are compostable coffee capsules made of?
• How can you properly dispose of compostable capsules?
• Are compostable capsules a better alternative?

Aluminum capsule – coffee enjoyment at the expense of the environment

It seems as if no thought was given to the product's consequences and impact on people and the environment when aluminum capsules were introduced to the market. Over the past ten years, pre-portioned coffee and capsule machines have become a symbol of luxurious coffee enjoyment and time out at the touch of a button – completely disregarding the downsides of aluminum capsules.

Nevertheless, we can't ignore the benefits of these small energy cartridges. The portions are perfectly tailored to your needs, and they also save you time.

The production of aluminum

The first question that usually arises when considering aluminum-containing products and packaging is their disposal. However, the environmental impact is even more far-reaching, as extremely harmful substances are produced as byproducts during the production of this light metal. Red mud is the most notable example. This contains heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, arsenic, lead, and even mercury – toxic to humans and the environment.

The production facilities of aluminum

Working conditions and the way we treat nature are directly linked to production. However, the affected countries are so remote from us that, while we may be theoretically aware of the tragedy, we cannot practically comprehend it. The largest mining sites for the metal are located in the world's already poorest regions. Brazil, Venezuela, Guinea, and India are just a few of them.

Luxury and sustainability are compatible.

However, luxury and sustainability can no longer be viewed as opposing forces. Instead, it's about producing high-quality products that don't harm people or the environment. Eliminating the aluminum factor from coffee, a luxury product, without sacrificing variety and convenience, is the current challenge facing the coffee industry. Let's take a look at how compostable coffee capsules can be a sensible alternative for you and your beloved coffee.

How do compostable coffee capsules work?

The term "compostable" often causes controversy in connection with coffee capsules. Whether waste is actually suitable for composting depends largely on the materials it contains. Ultimately, this means that not all biodegradable materials are also compostable—which leads us to the following question: What does "compostable" mean?

To gather all the ingredients for a worthy answer, we're introducing the term "bioplastics" here. This refers to materials that can be made from renewable resources or are biodegradable.

These can be raw materials such as corn, cellulose, and sugar cane, which are the specific materials used in all the capsules you get from Coffee Up!. Other manufacturers also use petrochemical products—plastics made from natural gas or petroleum.

Depending on its composition, the decomposition time of bioplastics can vary. According to DIN standard EN 13432 , a material is considered compostable if it can be broken down by 90 percent in industrial composting facilities within twelve weeks.

Not only for this reason, but also from a carbon footprint perspective, compostable capsules are absolutely superior and definitely preferable to aluminum products. Why this is so becomes clear when we take a closer look at their further recycling during disposal.

How to properly dispose of compostable capsules

Compostable capsules are disposed of in residual or organic waste.

Biodegradability allows for countless forms of "bioplastic" – even those containing petroleum. When these capsules end up in the general waste, their incineration releases many times more CO2 than materials without petroleum content.

With materials without petroleum content, only the amount of carbon dioxide previously bound in nature is released again – this corresponds to the natural cycle that we find in nature anyway. Therefore, disposing of the compostable capsules in residual or organic waste is not a mistake.

Enjoy coffee with a clear conscience

Coffee capsule machines have been conquering our kitchens and offices for years. At the touch of a button, they allow us to take a delightful and aromatically diverse break from everyday life, which we can share with others or enjoy in complete relaxation. For all its tempting flavor, however, capsule coffee has always been accompanied by a bitter note – namely, the thought of its packaging made of environmentally harmful materials such as aluminum or plastic.

With compostable coffee capsules, you eliminate precisely that bitter aftertaste you've always tasted in every cup. You're easily supporting greater sustainability in both production and consumption without sacrificing taste, quality, or convenience, thus setting an important example for the necessary change in how we treat people and the environment. Discover for yourself: the feeling of being able to enjoy 164 liters of coffee a year with a clear conscience.

Cover photo by Gabi Miranda. Additional photos by Jakub Dziubak and Gary Chan.