Three Benefits to Having an Espresso Machine That Uses Real Coffee Beans

Do you think your espresso machine is only good for making a cup of coffee? Well think again.

Superautomatic espresso machines, as well as manual espresso machines and even stove top moka pots, use real coffee beans.  If you are using any of these type of espresso machines, it means you are not using an espresso machine that uses capsules, cartridges or aluminum pods to produce your coffee. Good for you! This is great news for three important reasons:

1. You are being environmentally conscientious by not using a product that produces a great deal of waste that finds its way to landfills.

2. The coffee grinds left behind after you make your coffee can be recycled and used in a variety of ways, some of which may surprise you, so continue reading.

3. You are not only saving the environment, but more importantly, you are saving money to put back in your own pocket. 

Environmental Benefits of Using an Espresso Machine

Many people report they care about the environment.  Many environmentalists go to great lengths and take care to recycle, plant trees and engage in other activities that demonstrate their environmental stewardship.  Yet, some have not stopped to consider that their coffee machine may be a culprit in their efforts.

John Sylvan may have invented the K-cup, the ubiquitous single-serve plastic coffee pod, but that doesn’t mean he uses it for the proprietary equipment (Keurig) that uses K-cups. In fact, the Boston-based inventor regrets his invention now, not only because of its relative cost, but mostly because the cups are non-recyclable.  He admits the waste his invention has created is a valid concern.   Sylvan has said, “I find them rather expensive per cup.  I really don’t know why people have them.”

To add insult to injury, the Keurig machine is itself considered a disposable appliance; it was built to be non-repairable with a short life span, so the equipment itself is a huge contributor to landfill mass.

Many of you may be thinking that K-cups are recyclable and they are, but here is what Jennifer Kalish from Waste and Recycling News has to say about it:

“K-Cup pods consist of a combination of plastic, aluminum, organic material (coffee grounds) and a paper filter.  While all said items may be easily recycled separately, the K-Cup pod as a whole cannot be recycled.  The components need to be separated and sorted into the correct categories for recycling or composting.”

But haven’t we evolved from the K-cup?   After all, Nespresso with aluminum capsules is all the rage. Regrettably, the single serve aluminum pod creates a lot of waste too. Unfortunately, most of the aluminum pods wind up in landfills and are not recycled.  When you consider the volume of pods sold each year (billions are sold year), the waste generated is alarming.

The Benefits of Coffee Grounds

With an espresso machine, whether it is manual, superautomatic or stovetop, the only waste you are left with is organic matter or coffee grounds.  And even coffee grounds can be recycled. In fact, coffee grounds can be used in many ways, some of which, you may have never considered.  So, before you throw out those coffee grounds, check out this list:

1. Fertilizer: use coffee grounds in your garden as a fertilizer for plants and flowers.
2. Pest control: use it in the garden to fend off slugs and other pests.
3. Deodorizer: make candles or soap or use them on your hands to remove garlic smell.
4. Beauty product: use it as a body scrub or hair mask.
5. Household uses: use grounds to scrub pots or clean your fireplace.
6. Crafts: make play dough to look like dirt.

Buzz Feed has an extensive list of 34 ways you can use coffee grounds. Check out the list for more ideas and instructions on how to use your coffee grounds.

Financial Benefits of Espresso Machines that Use Coffee Beans Instead of Capsules

Let’s face it: as consumers, we make choices that are self-serving.  The popularity of machines that use K-cups or aluminum pods is a result of convenience.  Using pods is quick, efficient with little to no mess or fuss.  This convenience is a huge selling point.  The impact the disposable components have on the environment is not the first thing that comes to mind when we reach down in our pockets to make the purchase.

If the environment is not your first priority when considering your coffee machine purchase, perhaps your pocket book is.  If you stop to seriously consider the cost of the coffee you are drinking from a pod or capsule, as opposed to the coffee you can enjoy from an espresso machine that uses real coffee beans, you may think again.

Jura, a leader in superautomatic espresso machines for the home and office has crunched the numbers. Over a ten-year period, assuming you have three coffees per day, a consumer would be dishing out over $21,000 to purchase pods compared to $6,000 in coffee beans.  Yes, it requires the initial cost of purchasing a machine ($2,000 will get you a high-quality espresso machine) but the savings are still huge. Over a ten-year period, you would be saving a total of $13,000.  The savings for coffee programs at work is even greater.

Not only will you save money, but you would be doing your part to save the planet too. 

If you are still stuck on the convenience of pods, you really need to check out a superautomatic machine and learn how superautomtic machines work.  They produce a coffee with a push of button and the coffee grinds are dispensed in a dreg drawer, so the process is quick, easy and with no mess or fuss.

Here you have it, three compelling reasons why you should consider an espresso machine that uses real coffee beans as opposed to pods or cartridges.

If you have any more questions about espresso machines or espresso related products, contact us and we will be happy to answer your questions.