Around campus there seems to be a little more eco consciousness about drinking coffee – mostly in the form of more reusable mugs being used. But one gadget that doesn’t seem that green to me are those single-cup coffee makers. Fun and convenient, yes. And they may consume less energy per cup than a bigger machine, but the amount of plastic packaging winding up in landfills seems really wasteful. What’s your take on it?

Given that there are 150 million coffee drinkers in the United States today, I figured it’s worth taking a look at how we can green that cup of joe…whether you prefer an espresso, cappuccino, latte, or iced coffee. Here are a few earth-friendly tips:

• Choose wisely: select Fair Trade, certified organic and shade-grown coffee. Organic coffee has been grown according to organic farming standards without the use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Shade-grown helps local flora and fauna remain intact and promotes natural indigenous diversity. Fair Trade ensures socially responsible working conditions and pay for laborers.
• Choose a reusable filter instead of disposable paper filters.
• Use your own coffee mug instead of using plastic or paper cups. If you have a certain penchant for Starbucks or Caribou coffee, bring your own coffee mug and help put an end to disposable cup waste.
• Consider energy consumption. Unplug those machines when not in use.
• Here’s a good one – drink less coffee. The most obvious way to cut down your energy use is to drink less. It may be healthier for you, too.
• Compost those used coffee grinds.

Whether you’re at home, on your way to work, or meeting some friends at the local coffee shop, keep these tips in mind as you sip or gulp – and help save the environment. For more info, visit greenfudge.org.
photo via: weirdomatic.com.