Going Green: K-Cups

K-Cups are popular.  They give you a variety of coffee, it’s always fresh, and it’s just a push away without the normal routine of scoop, pour water, push button-crack I forgot to add the filter-repeat with filter, start, yawn, stare.

Sound about right?  I thought so.

Well K-cups ARE wasteful!  You’re tossing a full cup after one damn cup of coffee and replacing?!  WASTEFUL!  Any environmentalist is cussing you out at 9 in the morning for it when you’re half asleep.  But there is hope!

If done right for can recycle EVERY part of the K-cup!  (You heard right!)

1.  You can get 4   8 oz. cups per cup.  The first 2 are super strong, the next 2 are normal, after that its water.  So if you have a single, keep using it a few times.  If you can fill a pitcher, there ya go!  If you got travel mugs for two then decide who likes it weaker, stronger, or mix. 

2.  After your done brewing don't toss!  Set it on the sink to dry out.

3.  Now that it’s not hot and is dry peel off the metal top, rinse off and put in aluminum recycling.  Hey, your recycled part already!

4.  Now, invest in a compost bin or dump directly into a plant.  Plants love coffee grounds and pests tend to hate them.  Sadly, pets also enjoy it so keep the plants out of reach or you might have a twitchy dog.

Other Option:  Make a Coffee Scrub (the grit cleans and the caffeinating is going to energize your skin!

Nother option:  leave them out in a bowl to help deter bugs (haven't tried) or put fully dried grounds in jar or sock and use as an air freshener (mmm, coffee)

5.  Now that you've done that, pull out that piece of cloth.  If you’re composting, toss that in there, it'll break down.  If you’re not composting then toss that ONE part in the trash (hey, can’t be perfect?  Why compost if you don't garden).

6.  Lastly, rinse that cup itself and toss it in the plastic recycling.

And you’re done!

Damn, you just recycled all to everything but the cloth!  Don't you feel good?  Now you can say your green while enjoying that yummy Starbucks coffee from home.

SIDE NOTE:  If you’re using the:

Teas-These can be composted but I have no idea what else to do with them.  You can toss them in your garden as well.  Follow as above.

Hot Chocolate, Latte, Cappi, ect-These are powder based.  Use only Step 2, 3, and 6!

God bless you for helping to save the environment!