Espresso, piston, Italian: which coffee machine do you choose to limit the ecological impact?

What could be more enchanting than the smell of a good cup of coffee? This ritual seduces millions of fans worldwide. 2 billion cups of coffee are consumed in this way every day. But for those who don’t have time to stop at the counter, which machine should you choose at home? The choice for his coffee maker is indeed not trivial. Between aromas, price, impact on health and the environment, the criteria to take into account to make an informed choice are many. Here are some things to help you.

Pod and capsules on the radar


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In the 1990s and 2000s, the coffee machine market exploded with the emergence of pod or capsule machines. These modern and attractive devices have given coffee aficionados the feeling of rediscovering the pleasure of an espresso in the local cafe. Service by the cup, fine foam, quick and easy to use, they have changed the consumer’s relationship with coffee.

But at a time of climate crisis, the environmental impact of the latter can no longer be ignored. Every year, sales of Nespresso aluminum capsules generate 60,000 tons of waste in France alone. Recycling them is still very complex today and few French sorting centers are equipped with the technology needed to recycle aluminum capsules. We know that the best waste is the waste we don’t produce.

Drip coffee maker, an unexpected impact


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Family coffee maker par excellence, the filter coffee maker has long been on the throne in most French kitchens. Today it is more neglected in favor of less bulky machines. In addition, explains Tristan Lecomte, founder of AlterEco, interviewed by Organic at the Une, the ecological footprint of filter coffee is not unimportant, because of the high electricity and water consumption. “The average ecological footprint of a cup of filter coffee is about 120 grams of Co2 equivalent, a capsule coffee about 100 grams. »

Moreover, the use of filters leads to more waste. It is nevertheless possible to opt for compostable versions (guaranteed without chlorine treatment to whiten the fibres) or reusable ones, especially with alternatives to organic linen.

So why not turn to coffee makers that only leave coffee grounds on your arm? A waste that is particularly easy to reuse at home and in the garden.

Moka or Italian coffee maker


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Italy is known for its excellence in coffee. It is therefore not for nothing that Italian coffee makers, also known as moka pots, stand out from the crowd of other coffee machines. Thanks to a system that uses pressurized water vapor, these small coffee makers, in aluminum or stainless steel, make it possible to get an ultra-tasty strong coffee.

Significant advantages, the materials used in its manufacture make the Italian coffee makers particularly resistant, giving them a long service life. End programmed aging with this solution, leaving you with just a few spoonfuls of coffee grounds.

French media


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The piston coffee maker or “French Press” has the same advantages as the Italian coffee maker. Inexpensive and durable, it requires no capsules, pods or filters to work. Simply pour boiling water over a few teaspoons of coffee before infusing and then strain. Versatile, it allows you to choose more or less strong coffees according to taste.

The only downside is that the glass tray makes the machine more vulnerable to impact. For the less skilled, it is still possible to buy only the glass part in case of breakage. Long live spare parts!

The espresso machine or percolator


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Do you want to reconnect with the happiness of an espresso with fine foam? Percolator machines now offer devices that, in addition to preparing coffee as in a brewery, are able to grind fresh coffee beans. Result: ultra-fresh coffee and savings on the purchase of raw materials (coffee beans are cheaper than ground coffee).

Small problem, but not least, these somewhat bulky machines are among the most expensive on the market…

You now have all the information you need to make an informed purchase. For a consistent approach, it is also recommended to choose an organic coffee from fair trade. A label that assures you that cultivation and marketing are done well with respect for nature and the people who produce it.

And to go further, here are 4 practical ideas for recycling coffee grounds and putting them to good use in the vegetable garden.

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