Keurig...you can't DO BETTER?

[pannm]

Yes, I know that half of all americans are obsessed with the keurig coffee systems. I, myself, enjoyed it for a while. I've never owned a keurig, but I know people who own them.

Then, all of these reports have come out in the past year or two that say that the K-Cups are NOT EVEN CLOSE to being recycleable. Doesn't it sort of bother you that every single K-cup will sit in a landfill for YEARS and YEARS and YEARS? I know that my sister in law recylces and actually PUTS hers into her recycle bin, but every single one PUT in there has to get plucked out, because they cannot be recycled.

Now, I am IN NO WAY a tree hugger. I am not an overly cautious recylce crazy person who thinks that we need to do away with all non-recycleables. BUT, I do have a problem with the K-Cups. My biggest issue is that Keurig KNOWS it's a problem, but because people continue to buy them in mass quantities they don't think that they need to be changed? Or what?

Then, on top of all of those K-Cups is the issue of 'landfill gases' that are causing the world to start to show signs of some major issues. ONE of those issues has been addressed recently, in the form of a news clip done by CBS news. It discusses scientists who think COFFEE WILL BE EXTINCT in several years down the road, BECAUSE of these types of harmful gasses. So, actually Keurig (in the over all picture) is CONTRIBUTING to their own nail in the coffin of the resource that they rely on 100% for running their company. I KNOW that it's not just K-Cups that are causing this problem, but they have become a HUGE PROBLEM in the past two years, because they are OVER TAKING landfills.


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/17/earlyshow/leisure/gamesgadgetsgizmos/main20121250.shtml


I'm not saying that we need to 'boycott keurig', but why can't we all start asking THEM to change their design? Why SHOULDN'T they be forced to make a better product that's not going to be so harmful to the environment? How can they get away with this?

Sure, many of you think "it's all a bunch of bull...we don't care about recycling." and, sure, you may not. But OBVIOUSLY, our country as a whole is concerned for the most part about our children and grand children and the quality of THEIR LIVES...And if you have kids, you are concerned about their health and well being...

My MIL and FIL go throuh 10-12 K-cups a day. They have one of those re-usable cups to use- but they are too lazy to clean it so they don't use it. I am sure that A LOT of people opt for the k-cup option over the re-usable cup, RIGHT? I mean they use this machiene because it's quick and easy How quick and easy is it to have to constantly be cleaning out that re-usable cup for every cup of coffee you drink?

Now, don't get me wrong. The keurig systems produce great cups of coffee (even though 1 of their "good cups of coffee" comes in a smaller size than ANY cup in my house!!!). I am just raising the question or at least some AWARENESS of the issue that these dumb K-cups have been creating.

I wonder if people are aware? Or if people could all get together and actually DO SOMETHING to change this problem...I've written to Keurig, and they have not even bothered to respond to any 'respectfully concerned e-mails'...I have taken great care of writing them e-mails about this issue...(much better than I've written in this post as I'm not the best speller- but I know that and it doesn't concern me unless I am writing a more formal letter or e-mail...)

 

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

We use the reusable cup everyday and just buy a few k cups for guests.I can't imagine going through 10 a day?!?! that's a ton of $$$!!!

 

[Tiger926]

One of the reasons we don't have one. That and the fact that the machines are unreliable and the coffee pods are expensive.

I laugh when I see these topics constantly on the Budget Board as the machines themselves may be reasonably priced, but it's just like computer printers. The printers are relatively cheap, but the ink and paper are very expensive, and that is what I see with Keurigs and Tassimos.

It may be cheaper than going to Tim Horton's or Starbucks each day, but I don't do that as it's way too expensive, so in the long run, these machines are costly for many reasons, one of the biggest being the amount of waste generated from them, so I totally agree with you on this one.

Tiger

 

[pannm]

Yeah, I laugh at my MIL...she compares her Keurig to going to starbucks every day for coffee. The nearest starbucks for her is 2 plus hours away, so really- she can't compare it for her because she would never go there daily anyways. We figured out that they are spending about as much as a starbucks beverage every day anyways, because of how many K-Cups they use!

And, truthfully. I would love to know how many people can just use ONE a day? Maybe people do- but when I go to pour a regular cup of coffee- it's not just 1/2 full and tasting great...it's FULL and tasting great! I hate the little amount of coffee you get with a 'full flavored size/small size' setting. Out comes this 1/2 of a cup of coffee and you're wondering if that's all you get. That is the reason WHY my in-laws go through so many. They want A FULL cup of coffee and it takes 2 k-cups to get that. Then, they will take it with them to their living/family room or back into their bedrooms as they get ready for their day- so they don't have to keep getting up so often to fill up their coffee cups!

My SIL goes to work each morning and uses 1 k-cup as she's getting ready and 2 or THREE more just to fill up her thermos to take with her!

I know that my in-laws aren't the only ones who do this! And, forget about JUST HOME USE...There are hundreds of thousands of offices that go through garbage bags full of these k-cups daily...

The K-cups are A LOT more expensive than even the really good coffee that I enjoy.

 

[LJSquishy]

I don't own a Keurig because I don't like drip coffee (I own an espresso machine) but it also really bothers me that the K-cups are not recyclable, especially since they have been on the market for a few years now. I don't understand why they cannot use #1-7 plastics for their cups. I wouldn't be able to own one due to all of the waste. It would just drive me crazy.

But, I get equally upset about plastic grocery bags and disposable diapers. Actually, disposable diapers are the worst to me.

 

[angwill]

I actually keep and reuse the K-cups I do use. I fill them with a lot less coffee than they come with, put a plastic disc the size of the opening in the top of the k-cup and put a small sticker over the center hole to keep it fresh so I can make up several at a time. I can reuse the k cup and disc over and over. Also because I live in the country I can burn them too and never throw them in the garbage if I want to. I wasted a lot more coffee before I owned my Keurig because I never know how much I will drink.

No disrespect to your choosing to focus your attention to this but I just feel there are so many much more important issues I chose to target my energy and attention to than to K-cups.

 

[sissy_ib]

We put ours in the closet a few weeks ago. My in-laws gave it to my DH 2-3 years ago for Christmas and it just never got used. My DH bought a ton of K-cups when he first got it and only used it a few times. When I moved in I used it once. I agree with a PP, it was half a cup of coffee.
We don't really drink coffee anyways. I go to Starbucks maybe once a month as a treat and I cant replicate those drinks at home so I don't know why people are always comparing the price. I don't think a regular cup of coffee is that much more expensive at Starbucks. It is the specialty coffees, frappuccinos, etc..

Anyhow, I bet the price of the K-cups would go up if they were recyclable. As they are already almost $1 each a big price increase would make the whole system pointless from a money saving standpoint.

 

[pannm]

I wasted a lot more coffee before I owned my Keurig because I never know how much I will drink.

No disrespect to your choosing to focus your attention to this but I just feel there are so many much more important issues I chose to target my energy and attention to than to K-cups.

At least when you 'waste your cups of coffee' that don't get consumed, you aren't harming the environment. AND, we added it up- you'd have to waste several cups of coffee before it would be the same amount of money as buying K-Cups.

You are right. There are several more important issues that we need to focus on, but we cannot just focus on the 'big issues' with out fixing some of the smaller issues along the way. The waste management people in large cities, small cities, and almost everywhere in between have said that K-cups have gone from being a small issue to being the worst issue they deal with on a daily basis...I think that people need to fix a LOT of problems- but this one came to mind because I just recently became more aware and educated about it myself. If everyone just tried to fix the big problems, we'd get no where.

 

[Evi]

Actually the kcup can be recycled you can peel of the foil and that can be recycled. Then empty the coffee grounds and the liner and add it to the compost pile and finally chuck the plastic bottom in the recycling bin. The plastic in kcup is recyclable just not until separated from the coffee filter. Question is will you take the time to recycle it?

 

[KellyNY]

I do not care how recyclable K cups are, but their price is crazy. We got machine few years ago when price was still more or less OK, but now I just use it to warm water, too expensive, even with discounts, coupons and codes. Kind of gift that keeps on taking and taking.

 

[tajz90]

I'd marry my Keurig if it were legal Love it and I'm happy with it. Drink 2 cups a day / $1 a day.

We all "waste" something in someone else's eye.

You can recycle the little cups. It's just up to the individual to do it.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I love my Keurig. I get the cups on sale. And I don't care that they aren't recycleable. I'm a bad, bad person.

 

[dreamin_disney]

we just got our ekobrew cup in the mail thaks to the recommendation to someone her on the board. I've used it once and love it! We also bought a few boxes of the kcups. We dont drink coffee everyday but love the option of having a kuerig and making a cup when i feel like it

 

[angwill]

At least when you 'waste your cups of coffee' that don't get consumed, you aren't harming the environment. AND, we added it up- you'd have to waste several cups of coffee before it would be the same amount of money as buying K-Cups.

You are right. There are several more important issues that we need to focus on, but we cannot just focus on the 'big issues' with out fixing some of the smaller issues along the way. The waste management people in large cities, small cities, and almost everywhere in between have said that K-cups have gone from being a small issue to being the worst issue they deal with on a daily basis...I think that people need to fix a LOT of problems- but this one came to mind because I just recently became more aware and educated about it myself. If everyone just tried to fix the big problems, we'd get no where.

I never said that throwing out my coffee that didn't get consumed harmed the environment but it was hurting my pocket book more than it does now with the Keurig. I have not bought a K-cup in a while because as I said I reuse the original cups that came with the machine. When I wear out the original K-cup brewing my less expensive gound coffee in it I will then either recycle the plastic and/or throw it on the burn pile in our back yard. I feel that is my part I care to do on that issue.

IMO, if everyone stopped worrying about the big issues to deal with the little ones we would be in a big mess instead of a little one. So I will do my little part about the environment by recycling my K-cups and doing the stuff I can for me and my family to not contribute to environmental issues and let others that care more, like yourself, to deal with worrying about who doesn't recycle their K-cups.

For those who don't like the small cups the lower end machines make the pricier machines make bigger cups by running more water through the k-cup so you can always lift the top and press it down again on the same K-cup and let it run another cycle of water through it. Then again I don't like strong coffee so it works for me but might not for some.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Another poster mentioned already but the newer Vue system the kcups can be recycled. They are designed to pull out the coffee grinds part and dispose that part and then it leaves the plastic cup for recycling. It's very easy to do.
Heather

 

[angwill]

Another poster mentioned already but the newer Vue system the kcups can be recycled. They are designed to pull out the coffee grinds part and dispose that part and then it leaves the plastic cup for recycling. It's very easy to do.
Heather

You can easily do this with the original K-cup as well when you take the foil off and recycle that then pull out the filter with the grounds and recycle the cup. I don't know how many people bother to or know they can do it though.

 

[Rememberingthe70s]

There is a reusable k-cup thing that we've had for two years. We bought it with the Keurig. I think it was seven bucks. You put whatever coffee you want in it - light or dark - you can make it stronger or weaker, and you simply rinse the thing out. They have them in Target, Sears, and all sorts of other places.

Bam. No waste.

 

[NMDisneyFan]

For those who don't like the small cups the lower end machines make the pricier machines make bigger cups by running more water through the k-cup so you can always lift the top and press it down again on the same K-cup and let it run another cycle of water through it. Then again I don't like strong coffee so it works for me but might not for some.

That's what I do! Running that second water cycle through makes it fill up a large cup and the coffee is still strong.

OP, I'm sorry you don't like your MIL and FIL's Keurig habit. What kind of car do you drive? How much electricity do you use? If you're so worried about the environment, there are other things you can do to help it.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

You can easily do this with the original K-cup as well when you take the foil off and recycle that then pull out the filter with the grounds and recycle the cup. I don't know how many people bother to or know they can do it though.

You're right! I know the Vue system specifically mentioned the ability to recycle but they don't seem to do the same on the original kcups. I wonder if they will promote recycling on the smaller ones in the future?

I personally am a tea drinker and make me a cup using a tea bag but its nice every once in awhile to have a coffee but we do recycle

Heather

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

There is a reusable k-cup thing that we've had for two years. We bought it with the Keurig. I think it was seven bucks. You put whatever coffee you want in it - light or dark - you can make it stronger or weaker, and you simply rinse the thing out. They have them in Target, Sears, and all sorts of other places.

Bam. No waste.

Yep! We love the "my kcup" filter and that saved a bunch of $ too! When i use my Keurig mini thats exactly what i use. Unfortunately they don't make it for the newer Vue system but I do know some people who have been asked to test them so I know they are working on it.

Heather