Coffee is essential for many people, allowing them to function throughout the day. When you think of your morning cappuccino, it’s easy to forget its origins may have huge ecological implications. Discover the life cycle of coffee and its environmental impacts.

What Is the Coffee Life Cycle AND what impact does it have on the environment?

The life cycle of coffee beans is the journey of a seed to the delicious drink in your cup. It’s one of the most traded agricultural commodities worldwide, with around 176 million 60-kilogram bags consumed globally from 2021 to 2022. Given the high demand for coffee, it’s only essential to know how it impacts the planet.

Planting and Growing

Growing enough coffee to meet global demands results in deforestation, depleted water resources, biodiversity harm and soil degradation. Wastewater can pollute nearby water sources, potentially harming aquatic animals. Tropical rainforests — which are biodiversity hot spots — are being cleared so farmers can plant more coffee, potentially leading to the loss of animal and plant life.

Harvesting and Processing

Ripe coffee cherries are picked and then put into a freshwater tank. After several hours, the fruit flesh is removed and sent through a machine that “washes the coffee” to reveal the coffee beans. Unfortunately, this process produces large amounts of wastewater with a very high pollution load, which is often discharged into nearby water bodies and open land.

Roasting

The third phase in the coffee life cycle is coffee roasting, where roasting machines produce carbon dioxide, harmful particulates and other hazardous gases as a by-product of fuel combustion. Traditional roasters emit visible emissions like nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds. Today, many roaster manufacturing companies use energy-efficient machines to support the planet.

Packaging and Shipping

Coffee packaging and shipments can also affect the planet, much like any other industry. Using single-use packaging materials can add to landfill waste, and transporting the goods internationally can increase a brand’s carbon emissions primarily due to cargo shipping.

Consumption

Consumption is the last phase of coffee’s life cycle. Whether you enjoy instant coffee, use a French press or a pour-over is up to you.

However, if you’re one of the 27% of American coffee drinkers who use single-serve machines, here’s a wake-up call for you. All the coffee pods thrown away could wrap around the Earth over 10 times.

What You Can Do as a Coffee Consumer

You can still enjoy your coffee, while taking care of Mother Earth. These strategies can help you feel less guilty about getting your caffeine fix.

Support Sustainably Sourced Coffee

Purchase from businesses that champion environmentally friendly farming and manufacturing practices. Coffee grown without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides — which contribute to soil degradation — should be a priority. Go to a nearby farmers’ market to support local farmers who offer cheaper, yet high-quality, beans.

Reuse Coffee Grounds

Transform used coffee grounds into fertilizer, a physical exfoliator or pest repellent. Doing so can help you save money and the environment.

Make Your Coffee at Home

Making your coffee at home instead of ordering it can help you save money and lessen your carbon footprint. Invest in sustainable tools, like an espresso machine or a pour-over coffee maker. If you’re using a traditional coffee maker, a stainless steel filter is an excellent alternative due to its antimicrobial and dishwasher-safe benefits.

Brew a Better World

The taste and aroma of freshly brewed coffee often mask a bitter truth. From deforestation to carbon emissions, coffee’s life cycle leaves a lasting environmental impact.

As a consumer, you have the power to make more sustainable decisions. Support ethical producers and make a conscious choice to have peace of mind knowing your cup of joe doesn’t come at the planet’s expense.