A cool coffee station can be an attractive addition to your party, a catering event or your office space. Like any decision, installing a coffee bar becomes much more delightful if it is light on the planet.
From the coffee beans to the brewing process and even the cups you sip from, every step can contribute to environmental degradation or serve as a step towards sustainability. To move in the right direction, we can take some proactive steps towards sustainability.
Setting up the Station
Keeping your basics intact is crucial to getting the whole act right. Your coffee bar should reflect your eco-friendly ethos.
- Thrift, self-build or buy a table made of eco-friendly materials like responsibly sourced wood or metal.
- Store your essentials like cookies, paper napkins and extra packets of coffee powder in glass jars, bamboo baskets, and bins. These are not only sustainable but also add to the aesthetic of your bar.
- Keep a reusable microfibre cloth and a natural surface cleaner handy to clean spills. This will reduce the unnecessary use of paper towels.
- Provide bins with clear markings for compostable and biodegradable waste and ensure an efficient waste management process is in place.
But First, Coffee
How do you like your coffee? We want it to be as planet-friendly as possible. From bean to brew, the coffee-making process can have very little impact on the planet. Here is how!
- Go for locally sourced, fair trade coffee brands, and avoid using coffee pods (to reduce plastic waste) for your coffee.
- Use energy-efficient coffee makers or make the process semi-manual by providing milk options separately and introducing French press or stove-top coffee makers. Also, use eco-friendly coffee filter papers for your coffee makers.
- If you provide tea, have containers of loose tea leaves and organic tea bags to fill them.
- Keep sugar, sweeteners and other add-ons in a reusable container instead of individual packets.
One Cup at A Time
If you have a home coffee bar, you can have your treasured set of coffee mugs. But for other places, you need cups, lids, and stirrers.
Did you know most paper cups (supposedly eco-friendly) on the market have a plastic inner lining to retain their shape?
Polylactic Acid (PLA) coating has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional plastic linings in coffee cups.
PLA is a bioplastic typically derived from renewable resources such as cornstarch or sugarcane. It performs similarly to traditional plastics but with a significantly lower environmental impact. Additionally, it is non-toxic, making it a healthy alternative. (check out our PLA-coated coffee cups for a better idea)
- Choose FSC-certified cups (which prove that the paper used is sustainably sourced) and coffee lids made of PLA rather than PE (polyethylene or plastic).
- Provide wooden coffee stirrers on the counter instead of single-use plastic ones.
Every corner of your event or office should echo your eco-warrior spirit; your coffee bar is no exception. For most of us, grabbing a coffee is the best part of the day, and making an effort to make that nook welcoming and wholesome is incredible.
Make FOOGO Green a small part of your setup and see the extraordinary impact we make.