Coffee Giants Unite For Sustainable Change

For more than four years, Hellyar, supply chain manager for Dunkin’ Donuts, has hunted for an alternative to the much maligned Styrofoam cup – long enough to earn him the nickname “Joey Cups.” The ideal container would have to be recyclable or compostable, keep coffee hot, and not cost franchisees too much.

It might as well be the Holy Grail. Neither Joey Cups and his team of 12, nor anyone else in the industry, have been able to find it. So now they have decided to join forces. For the first time, Dunkin’, Starbucks, and Tim Horton are working together to conquer the sustainable container. On Earth Day this April, the competitors convened with cup manufacturers, waste haulers, and municipal officials at a cup summit held at MIT.

Since then, they have been sharing prototypes of innovative designs, researching ways to make it financially worthwhile for communities to recycle used coffee cups, and designing a pilot program for a waste-free zone at Faneuil Hall Marketplace where everything would be recycled or composted.

Moving towards paper may not be the answer either, according to industry sceptics, with the coffee giants’ joint initiative to encourage paper mills undertaking the recycling of coffee cups to produce quality boxes from the reused material, viewed as a better solution.

Many consumers (and even some coffee executives new to the struggle) think there is an easy answer: switch to paper. But it’s not that simple. It takes roughly 20 million trees and 12 billion gallons of water to manufacture the 58 billion paper cups that end up in the trash every year. Most communities do not have the means or equipment needed to recycle these cups, which involves separating the paper container from the wax-like inner lining that prevents your java from leaking out.

Despite being made up of recycled material, Starbucks cups are technically not recyclable due to the waxy coating. Where many local coffee shops have begun to use recyclable cups at a higher cost, Starbucks lists on their website that they will not introduce eco-cups until 2015.

The problem is not in the accessibility of the technology, but in the commitment from the retailers to take a financial step to develop these products and implement them. If being 70% more environmentally friendly will reduce a company’s profit margins by 5%, they are unwilling to do it.

One time, Hellyar brought some new cups made of eco-friendly materials to Dunkin’s quality assurance lab to test them out. He poured a fresh hot brew in them and returned to his desk. A few minutes later, a research and development worker came running after him, cursing that two dozen coffee cups were leaking all over the lab.

Researchers are still trying to find easily produced, economically viable biodegradable cups but for now we will have to make do with the environmentally unfriendly insulated cups we are used to.

Espresso Coffee Machine– Super Hints For You

How do you start your day? Do you have a cup of coffee? What about having a cup of espresso? Turning on that espresso coffee machine may provide you with several benefits. You will get that morning boost that so many people need. You may also get some health benefits from espresso. Here are reasons to consider this type of beverage.

There have been many studies on coffee and heart health. They have yielded promising results. Mush of the good news concerns antioxidants and their health benefits. Coffee has some of these beneficial antioxidants. Your cells require oxygen to operate. However, oxygen will also destroy your cells over time. Antioxidants help to delay this action. This makes for longer living and healthier cells. When you drink espresso coffee, you drink a concentrated beverage. Not only caffeine, but also antioxidants are concentrated in the espresso.

Coffee drinkers have a less chance of developing Type 2 diabetes. There may also be a reduced chance of liver disorders, like cirrhosis. This may lead to a decreased chance for liver cancer.

Studies have conducted concerning coffee drinkers and Parkinson’s disease. The coffee drinkers had considerably less risk than the non-drinkers. This does not mean that coffee should be used as treatment for medical conditions. It is not a substitute for medical advice or care. You should seek professional medical help with any illness or health matter.

Espresso machines are quiet. They are simple to operate and maintain. You may not know that it is making coffee for you. That can be appreciated in the mornings. They are also easy to clean. This can save you valuable time in the mornings.

Espresso machines are usually durable and long lasting. You may save a great deal of money, in some cases. Coffee shop espresso can be expensive. Add up the price difference for a year of homemade coffee. That can be big savings.

There are many good reasons to enjoy a cup of espresso. It may help you to wake up in the morning. You may enjoy the smell, and taste of this beverage. There are health benefits associated with espresso coffee. You may have a reduced chance for heart disease, and liver disorders. If you have your own machine, you can save money over buying out. These machines are quiet, durable, and easy to care for. An espresso coffee machine may be a good investment. You can buy them locally or at many online retailers.

This writer also writes about pump espresso machine, or even about how to make espresso. This writer also runs http://pumpespressomachines.org