Slow Roamer
Life in the slow lane
Consumed{Coffee Filters}
Want a little bleach with that hot cup of Joe? I would rather have a splash of almond milk and a bit of sugar.
I still distinctly remember when it dawned on me. I was standing in my kitchen making coffee and realized with every drip, drip, drip, whatever they used to bleach the coffee filter I was using was draining right into my cup and then I was happily drinking it down. It’s so easy to overlook the small things! This new distaste for my filters was reinforced when my Dad turned his compost pile over and the bleached filters were STILL THERE almost a year later (he has now made the switch to unbleached ones as well). That ain’t right. It’s paper and coffee grounds! It should compost! Turns out the bleaching process produces 75 dangerous chemicals collectively referred to as Dioxin. Dioxin is a carcinogen and hormone disruptor. Chemicals like dioxin can be linked to miscarriages, birth defects, bladder and rectal cancers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that the exposure to dioxin from bleached coffee filters alone is enough to exceed the lifetime “acceptable” limit of dioxin! We should be getting away from all things bleached but let’s start with your coffee filter. There is a non-toxic, eco-friendly option no matter what kind of coffee making method you use.
If you have a standard auto drip coffee you can buy these!
I made the switch to pour over coffee when I knew I was going to be living in Mander and using solar. I am trying to shrink my electricity consumption in advance so it’s an easier transition. My pour over cup uses these filters…
Then I spotted a reusable hemp filter at my local coop for pour over and decided to amp up my game! This is such a good option for me because now that I bought it, it will be one last thing I have to buy on the road. It creates zero waste, uses zero trees and lasts for years! Plus it’s made from a sustainable resource and is chemical free!
If you have a drip coffee maker and want to go the zero waste route, they most likely make a reusable basket that fits your machine.
If you have a Kuerig I’m sure you’ve heard by now how awful K-cups are. The maker of the machine himself regrets the invention. BILLIONS AND BILLIONS of k-cups end up in landfills every year. People quickly became aware of how wasteful these machines are and now, thankfully, you can buy more eco-friendly alternatives to the disposable cups.
You can buy these reusable cups and put your own grounds in them.
Or you can get compostable cups. Thank god!
Lastly, if you want to eliminate the need for a filter entirely, you can always go the french press route…
Or make it the old fashioned way! Fill a pot with water and once the water’s boiling add your coffee. Kill the heat immediately and wait until all of the grounds settle at the bottom — it will take four to five minutes. That’s it! You’re done! Just slowly pour the coffee off the top or ladle it into cups.
There are many ways to enjoy your morning cup of coffee without harming your body or the environment. Pick a method that best suits you and your taste preferences and start a new guilt free routine!
11 Comments on “Consumed{Coffee Filters}”
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K cups are the worst! And all that heated plastic, yuck.
I sell for an organic beauty supply company that meets my super high standards of ingredients. Would you be interested in doing a review and giveaway together? Email me at my blog name at gmail. I think it would be fun!
That does sound fun! I’ll shoot you an email. Thanks Jenn!
Hemp coffee filters are highly durable, eco-friendly and can be used hundreds of times. The high-quality hemp filters are bacteria resistant; so you don’t need to worry about using them again and again.
Totally! But if they ever do get nasty, you can just wash them! Love it.
I have a builder client I design for, his son is in the hemp business out in Colorado. The use of these products helps his business as well as the environment.
Gross – you’re right, never thought about it before. I’m more into espresso but I do have a drip machine also. Unconsciously I have been buying brown filters but only because that is all the store near me carries – guess they are looking out for me. Thanks for the post.
Absolutely! I’m glad you are accidentally using the safe filters!
FYI boiling water “burns” your coffee. Try and get it as close to 205 F (195 – 205) as possible. You can also look at it as using less energy to heat it up.
I have an eco coffee or two every day, it’s called tea !! Lol
I dearly LOVE my coffee! I am always looking for a more natural, earth friendly way. I haven’t seen the hemp filters but now that I have….I must find them! Maybe Earthfare? And, those Keurigs…ugh! What a terrible idea and the coffee is terrible to boot! SMH
I have Korean Coffee phins. They are made of stainless steel, sit on top of your coffee cup and drip your coffee. No filters needed. The time it takes to drop through is roughly how long it takes me to shower so it’s perrct! Love Mander and your spirit Jenn. I stumbled onto your YouTube video today and have been reading your blogs. I have been trying to make changes in my life to eliminate plastic after going to Thailand last August (2017) and seeing the terrible plastic situation there. I live in NZ and recognise that as a country that professes to being clean and green we have mess of our own here! Looking forward to hearing of your adventures.