The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Coffee

Coffee is a beverage that many people can't live without, but it's also one of the biggest global commodities connecting farmers, roasters, and consumers across continents. In fact, every day, over 2 billion cups of coffee are enjoyed around the world!

Yet, the future of coffee faces a real challenge from climate change, which threatens the livelihoods of the millions of people who grow it. This is especially true for the smallholder farmers who produce about 80% of the world's coffee. These farmers are on the front lines and need support to build a more resilient future.

The way we produce and consume coffee has never been more important. Today, there's a growing demand for sustainable and ethical choices, and we're right there in agreement.

At Compass Coffee, we believe that doing the right thing for people and the planet goes hand-in-hand with making great coffee. Our story is built on a sustainability mission that began the moment we opened our doors. We've always strived to build a brand that you can feel good about, where doing things the right way is at the heart of everything we do.

In this guide, we take a closer look at the entire coffee journey, showing how sustainable practices make a difference every step of the way. We'll explore everything from ethical and eco-friendly growing methods, responsible roasting, and the impact of your brewing habits at home. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of what makes coffee truly sustainable, and how you can be a part of the movement!

Our Compass Coffee commitment

At Compass Coffee, our approach to sustainability is simple: we believe in doing things the right way, for both people and planet.

Why? We respect the wonderful network of growers, roasters, and baristas that coffee represents all over the world. But it's also a system where fairness and stability for every person in the chain aren't always a given. We are committed to strengthening this amazing network so that we can continue to roast and enjoy Real Good Coffee for many years to come. And so you can feel good about drinking the coffee you love.

In practice, our commitment focuses on three key areas:

• Sourcing: We build direct partnerships with our farmers, ensuring every bean is grown with care for both the planet and its people.
• Roasting: We use ultra-high efficiency coffee roasters to minimize our environmental footprint while bringing out the best flavor.
• Operations: We choose local, lasting materials for our packaging and cafés, strengthening our community and ensuring everything we do is built to last.

Let's explore what sustainable coffee is and what it looks like for the industry as a whole.

What is sustainable coffee?

Sustainable coffee is the production of coffee that doesn't negatively affect nature or people's livelihoods. It refers to fair trade and low environmental impact practices throughout the entire coffee farming, transporting, roasting, and packaging journey.

That means making sure that:

• The coffee farmers who grow the beans are paid a fair wage and work in safe conditions, which helps to build stronger, more resilient communities.
• When it comes to the environment, eco-friendly coffee farming methods are in place to protect biodiversity, conserve water, and maintain healthy soil.
• There is a real commitment to every stage after the harvest, including using fuel-efficient transport and choosing recyclable or compostable packaging to minimize waste.

The sustainable coffee lifecycle

The journey from cultivating coffee beans to pouring a cup of espresso involves many steps, and sustainability is a key consideration at every stage. Here is a timeline of sustainable practices that happen along the way.

The coffee farm

• Agroforestry: Coffee is grown in the shade of other trees to protect biodiversity and provide a natural habitat for local wildlife.
• Soil health: Farmers use practices like regenerative agriculture and composting to improve soil fertility and avoid the use of synthetic pesticides.
• Fair labor: Farmers and workers are paid a fair, living wage, and investments in education and infrastructure often support their communities.

Processing and transport

• Less water and waste: During the washing process, water is conserved and recycled to prevent waste and contamination of local rivers.
• Eco-friendly transport: Green coffee beans are shipped in reusable burlap bags, which are a biodegradable and low-impact alternative to plastic sacks. Shipments are also combined, and transport routes are optimized to reduce fuel consumption.

Roasting

• Energy efficiency: Roasters use high-efficiency equipment and are mindful of their energy use to minimize their carbon footprint. Compass Coffee use the greener Loring roasters to offset greenhouse gases.
• Waste management: Practices are in place to reduce waste, such as repurposing coffee pulp into compost.

The café

• Eco-friendly design: Compass Coffee cafés are designed with sustainability in mind, using recycled building materials, energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and LED lighting to reduce their environmental impact.
• Energy-efficient equipment: The use of high-efficiency equipment, such as Modbar undercounter espresso machines with insulated boilers and low-power standby modes, helps to reduce electricity consumption.
• Less plastic: Packaging for roasted coffee is often compostable, biodegradable, or recyclable, and cafés encourage the use of reusable cups.
• Recycling and composting: Compass Coffee cafés have green programs to recycle materials and compost used coffee grounds.

What are the benefits of sustainable coffee?

There are so many good reasons to choose coffee that is good for the planet and people:

Prevent deforestation

Non-sustainable coffee farmers clear expansive areas to make space for their coffee plantations. Cutting down these forests takes away trees that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, leading to greater greenhouse gas levels. In sustainable coffee farming, the beans are grown in the shade of tree canopies. Much larger percentages of forests are left untouched, and the ecosystem is protected.

Protect biodiversity

Tropical forests where coffee is grown are home to thousands of animals and plants, such as deer, jaguars, macaws, opossums, monkeys, toucans, fruit trees, vanilla plants, magnolias, mahogany, and ebony trees. By reducing deforestation, the stunning array of native wildlife is protected and safe to live and thrive in their natural habitat.

Less pesticides

A practice in sustainable coffee farming known as regenerative agriculture improves soil fertility and reduces the risk of soil erosion while avoiding the use of harmful pesticides. To do this, regenerative agriculture focuses on less tilling (less soil disturbance and erosion), cover crops (plants such as legumes to improve the soil), crop rotation (to prevent depleting the soil of nutrients), agroforestry (including trees and shrubs on the plantation), composting (adding organic matter to the soil), and managed grazing (livestock reduce pests).

Conserve water

In the face of fluctuating rainfall patterns from climate change, conserving water is commonplace on sustainable coffee farms. In drier regions such as Brazil, coffee plantations are watered by irrigation systems that use rivers, reservoirs, and wells as their source. Better water management and recycling help to conserve the water used for growing and washing the beans. The proper handling of wastewater also keeps local rivers and streams clean, preventing contamination and protecting the local environment.

Fair income for farmers

Sustainable coffee offers better prices for farmers because it operates on a different economic model. Direct trade bypasses the multiple intermediaries of the traditional market, so a larger share of the profit goes directly to the producers. Sustainable coffee farming often results in higher quality, specialty-grade beans, which command a price premium that is passed on to the farmers. Overall, sustainable coffee farming often leads to more secure and prosperous livelihoods.

Safe working conditions

Third-party certifications, as well as direct trade agreements, often include standards for safe and healthy working conditions for coffee farmers. Provisions for workers include protective equipment, clean sanitation facilities, and reasonable working hours.

Improved communities

Sustainable coffee helps to build stronger, more resilient communities. Buyers of sustainable coffee often pay a Community Development Premium, which is an additional sum of money on top of the purchase price. This money goes directly to the farmers' cooperative, where it is managed democratically and invested in projects for local development such as improved education, public health, and infrastructure.

Reduced carbon footprint

You might think deforestation and high water use are the biggest causes of coffee's carbon footprint. However, it's actually the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer that makes the largest contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable coffee farming techniques use organic nitrogen fertilizer, including compost, animal manure, and nutrient-rich coffee pulp waste. These natural methods not only reduce greenhouse gases but also build healthier soil over time, which means better coffee plants and better coffee.

Meanwhile, energy-efficient roasting and transportation help to offset coffee's carbon footprint. Roasting equipment that emits less greenhouse gases, combined shipments, and optimizing transport routes make sure the coffee reaches customers with less fuel and a smaller environmental impact.

Less plastic

Many sustainable coffee companies use traditional burlap bags (made from natural jute fibers) for shipping green coffee beans. These are reusable and biodegradable alternatives to plastic sacks. For the final consumer product, brands are choosing eco-friendly options such as paper and steel tins. Paper is compostable and biodegradable, and steel is recyclable, unlike plastic, which often ends up in landfills and oceans, where it can take centuries to decompose.

Better quality coffee

Sustainable coffee is often celebrated for its supreme and rich flavour. By avoiding synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, the coffee plants draw their nutrients from a living, balanced ecosystem. A healthier plant, grown in an organic ecosystem, naturally produces a higher-quality bean.

Where is sustainable coffee grown?

The world's coffee is grown in over 70 tropical countries along the "Bean Belt" - a band along the equator where there is a distinct wet and dry season. Between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, coffee farms are mostly in Latin America (Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Brazil, Mexico, and Peru), Africa (Ethiopia and Uganda), and Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Indonesia, and India). Here, coffee has the correct temperature, humidity, rainfall, soil richness, and altitude for cultivation.

How big are the coffee farms?

You might be surprised to know how much coffee comes from smallholders! Over 80% of the world's coffee farmers are small, family-run businesses, according to research in 2024. The small farms produce more than 60% of the world's coffee, despite their farms covering less than 5 acres and their use of limited resources.

Why is it important that coffee farms are sustainable in these regions?

Sustainable coffee farming is a major priority for several reasons. The ecosystems in tropical and equatorial climates are often fragile and highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall. Sustainable farming methods help to protect small-scale growers, who are particularly susceptible to crop failure and financial hardship.

Regenerative agriculture, permaculture, and agroforestry are environmentally friendly ways of cultivating coffee. By using these cultivation methods, farmers build stronger, more resilient farms that can better withstand the impacts of climate change and fluctuating market prices. By protecting the soil and water, they not only preserve the environment but also ensure their land remains productive for generations.

A commitment to sustainability in the Coffee Belt isn't just about preserving ecosystems, but giving farmers the tools and security they need to thrive.

Where are Compass Coffee beans from?

At Compass Coffee, we source all of our beans from sustainable farms around the globe. Approximately one-third of our beans come from farms in Brazil, with the remainder sourced from dedicated farmers across Latin America, Africa, and East Asia. We prioritize building direct relationships with these farmers, which helps ensure a consistent supply of quality coffee.

A key example of Compass Coffee's direct trade philosophy is our long-standing partnership with Finca La Democracia, a family-run farm in Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Finca La Democracia was the first farm from which we ever purchased a full bag of beans. It's a relationship that began when we first opened in 2014!

These are the geographical origins for each of our core blends:

• Easting: East Asia
• Cardinal: The Americas
• Waypoint: The Americas
• Horizon: Africa
• Meridian: Africa
• Shaw: Africa
• Azimuth: East Asia

Direct relationships with our farmers are the most effective way to ensure ethical and sustainable practices on the ground. By visiting their farms, we gain firsthand insight into their working conditions and environmental stewardship.

How else is it beneficial to form a personal connection with smallholders? It allows us to guarantee fair prices that truly reflect the hard work and high quality our farmers deliver. It's a partnership built on trust and mutual respect, which not only improves the lives of our farmers but also provides you with a coffee that is both exceptional and ethically sourced.

Is there such a thing as eco-friendly coffee transportation?

Yes, it is possible to transport coffee in a more eco-friendly way by using efficient, low-emission haulage methods. The path coffee takes from cultivation to consumption presents a big logistical challenge, but sustainable options can dramatically reduce its environmental impact.

Sustainable transportation methods

• Shipping: Sea freight is considered the most common and sustainable method for international transport. While cargo ships have a large carbon footprint, they are far more fuel-efficient per ton-mile than air freight. Air freight is the least eco-friendly option, with a carbon footprint that can be 55 times higher than that of a cargo ship. Some companies are even exploring new methods like sail freight, which can reduce emissions by up to 95% compared to traditional container ships.
• Freight trains: For moving coffee over land, freight trains are a highly efficient option, as they are two to four times more fuel-efficient than conventional trucks. A single freight train can carry the equivalent of 280 truckloads, dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Recent research says that train haulage may be more efficient than cargo shipping.
• Inland barges: Barges were considered the most fuel-efficient method of transporting goods, capable of moving a ton of cargo over 500 miles on a single gallon of fuel. However, some data suggests barges are less efficient than rail transport. They are a useful option for moving coffee along rivers and lakes.
• Trucking: Companies are increasingly using hybrid vehicles and trucks that run on biodiesel to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. The carbon footprint from road haulage is lowered by optimizing routes and combining shipments to maximize cargo load.
• Synchromodal transportation: An advanced way of moving goods that lets companies reroute shipments in real time based on changing conditions. It helps to maximize efficiency and minimize delays.

Compass Coffee uses truck haulage as a chosen method for moving our coffee. Since our roastery is located in Washington, D.C., and many of our cafés are in the surrounding metropolitan area, we rely on trucks to get our coffee to customers. We've significantly lowered our environmental impact by focusing on optimizing our delivery routes, ensuring each truckload is as full as possible, and using modern, fuel-efficient vehicles.

How can coffee processing and roasting be made sustainable?

Coffee beans are the seeds inside a fruit called the coffee cherry. After harvesting, coffee cherries must be processed and roasted before they can become the beans we use to create an energising cup of coffee. Both of these stages can be made more sustainable through better practices and technology.

Processing the beans

The two primary methods to process coffee cherries are wet and dry. While the wet process produces cleaner beans, it is often very efficient and sustainable in regions with abundant water, where the resource is not scarce. In these areas, the method helps ensure a consistent, high-quality product.

For us, being sustainable means recognizing that there's no single perfect method. We work directly with our farmers to choose the best option for their unique environment, whether that's a clever wet-processing system or a resourceful dry-processing approach.

Eco-friendly technologies for the wet process:

• Eco-pulpers: These machines significantly reduce the amount of water needed. Water consumption is reduced by over 60% compared to standard pulpers.
• Water recycling: Water is treated and reused within the same facility. Some systems, like a new siphon machine, can reduce water consumption by 60%.
• Repurposing waste: The International Coffee Organization reports that coffee processing generates over 40 million tonnes of waste (such as coffee pulp, parchment, husk). But, this waste can be easily repurposed as compost, renewable gas fuel (produced from the breakdown of organic matter), or biofuel (solid pellets for fuel), reducing pollution and creating value.

Sustainable dry processing:

• Solar drying: Instead of traditional mechanical dryers that rely on fossil fuels, coffee is dried on raised beds using only solar heat, which produces zero emissions.
• Waste as energy: Some facilities are implementing advanced technologies that can convert coffee pulp into renewable energy, which can then be used to power the drying process itself, reducing the need for traditional thermal energy by 40-70%.

Roasting for flavor

Roasting is the stage where green beans are transformed into the aromatic coffee we love. The process heats the beans to high temperatures of 355°F to 445°F (180°C and 230°C), which presents a fantastic opportunity for sustainable innovation. Today, roasters are embracing a range of cutting-edge solutions to dramatically reduce their environmental footprint by focusing on a few key areas:

• Technology: Swapping out old gas-fired roasters for more energy-efficient models (or even electric or hybrid) can dramatically reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
• Roasting profiles: Studies show that a lighter roast requires less energy than medium or dark roasts, making it a more sustainable choice.
• Heat recovery systems: Using heat recovery systems can capture and reuse heat generated during the roasting process. It's a technique that minimizes energy consumption and carbon emissions by a third compared to dark roasting.
• Renewable energy: Powering roasteries with renewable sources like solar or biomass can also help reduce emissions.

Here at Compass Coffee, we've invested in energy-efficient Loring roasters for our facilities. These roasters are designed with a single burner that roasts beans and incinerates smoke simultaneously. This patented process uses up to 80% less fuel than conventional roasters, significantly cutting our carbon emissions and helping us create a better cup of coffee.

What about sustainable coffee packaging?

Choosing the right packaging is another way to boost the sustainability of coffee. Brands have many options, and each one has a different environmental impact. The best packaging is often one that is durable, reusable, and can be recycled efficiently and repeatedly.

Recyclable plastic options

Recyclable plastic, often in the form of flexible pouches made from materials like polyethylene (PE), has a valuable role in sustainable packaging. These plastics are lightweight, which helps reduce carbon emissions from transportation. They also provide an excellent barrier to protect the coffee from oxygen and moisture, keeping it fresh for longer and reducing food waste. However, the environmental benefit depends heavily on whether these plastics are actually recycled. Many recyclable plastic bags require a specific collection program (often labeled "#4 LDPE") and are not accepted in standard curbside recycling.

Steel and aluminum tins

Steel and aluminum are excellent choices because they are infinitely recyclable. They can be turned into new products again and again without losing any quality. The recycling rate for steel is also very high, often better than what we see for many plastics. Beyond the material itself, a focus on local sourcing and reuse is important. Making packaging close to where it’s used reduces the carbon footprint from shipping, and refill programs encourage customers to reuse containers instead of throwing them away.

Other innovative packaging options

The push for sustainability has led to a variety of cutting-edge materials and designs:

• Compostable films: New plant-based films made from materials like cornstarch can offer the same level of protection as traditional plastic, but they are designed to break down in industrial composting facilities.
• Bio-based plastics: These plastics are made from renewable resources like sugarcane or vegetable oil instead of fossil fuels, which helps lower the carbon footprint of production.
• Post-consumer recycled (PCR) content: A growing number of brands are using packaging made with plastic that has already been recycled once. Using PCR content reduces the demand for new plastic and helps close the loop on recycling.
• Mono-material laminates: Traditional coffee bags often have multiple layers of different materials, making them impossible to recycle. New packaging is being designed with just one type of recyclable material, simplifying the recycling process and making it more effective.

Burlap bags for transportation

For transporting green, unroasted coffee beans, traditional burlap (or jute) bags are a widely used and sustainable choice. As a natural fiber, burlap is biodegradable and compostable. These sacks are also extremely durable and allow the green coffee to "breathe" during long journeys, which helps maintain quality. After use, these bags can be repurposed for countless applications, from gardening to home decor, giving them a second life.

Is Compass Coffee packaging sustainable?

Sustainable packaging is another part of the coffee journey that we are passionate about. For us, a truly sustainable cup of coffee includes the packaging it comes in. That's why we've made thoughtful choices for every type of coffee we sell:

• Steel tins: We use durable steel tins for our beans and blends. They're not only great for keeping coffee fresh but are also made locally in Baltimore, which helps reduce shipping pollution and supports a family-run American business.
• Refill program: To encourage a circular economy, we offer a refill program. When you bring your tins back to our cafés, you get a discount for helping us reduce waste.
• Aluminum Nespresso pods: Our commitment to sustainability over cost is also seen in our single-serve coffee machine pods. Instead of cheaper plastic, we use recyclable aluminum pods, a small choice with a much lower environmental impact.
• Burlap bags for transport: We use traditional and biodegradable burlap bags to transport our green, unroasted coffee beans.

Is sustainable coffee the same as organic or Fairtrade?

Sustainable coffee isn't guaranteed to be organic or Fairtrade. The term "sustainable coffee" broadly refers to a farming approach that considers all the different parts of coffee production, from its environmental impact to the social and economic well-being of the people who grow it.

• Organic is a specific agricultural standard focused on farming practices. An organic certification means the coffee was grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or genetically modified organisms.
• Fairtrade is a specific social and economic certification. It focuses on ensuring farmers receive a fair, minimum price for their coffee and that their communities receive a premium for development projects.

A coffee can be all three, or just one. A coffee can be grown using sustainable practices without having an official organic or Fairtrade certification. It's still great-tasting coffee while taking care of the planet and people.

Other common sustainability certifications

Certifications from reputable third-party organizations are one way to indicate the values that coffee roasters support. While many sustainable coffee brands choose to pursue these certifications, others demonstrate their commitment to ethical and environmentally friendly practices through different models, such as direct trade.

• Rainforest Alliance: A certification to show environmental and social responsibility. It focuses on protecting biodiversity, conserving water, and improving the livelihoods of farmers and their communities.
• USDA Organic: A certification that focuses on the agricultural process itself. It ensures that the coffee was grown and processed according to strict standards that prohibit the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and other inputs.
• Bird Friendly: A certification issued by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (USA) is considered the gold standard for environmentally friendly coffee. It ensures that coffee is shade-grown and that the farms provide a healthy habitat for migratory and local birds, helping to protect their ecosystems.

Is Compass Coffee certified organic?

While many of the farms we partner with use organic practices, we have chosen to focus our efforts on a different approach that looks at all parts of the coffee business. As a result, our coffees do not carry the official organic certification.

Compass Coffee's main goal is to find delicious, flavorful coffee that is grown sustainably, harvested ethically, and sourced fairly. We put our energy into building direct relationships with farmers and ensuring top-tier quality, rather than relying on a single label.

Is Compass Coffee certified Fairtrade?

Our approach to fair sourcing is built on a foundation of personal, long-term partnerships. While we do not use a Fairtrade certification, we are committed to ensuring our farmers receive a fair and stable income. We've found that the costs and bureaucracy of official certifications can sometimes be a burden on small-scale coffee farmers, so we choose to invest those resources directly into our relationships with them.

Does sustainable coffee cost more?

Sustainable coffee often comes with a slightly higher price tag, but it's important to understand why. The cost reflects the true value of producing coffee in a way that is good for independent coffee farmers and the environment. Factors include fair wages, sustainable farming methods, natural fertilizers, recyclable packaging, and higher-quality coffee. You'll definitely taste the difference!

How is coffee made sustainably in our cafes?

The equipment used to make coffee in a busy cafe plays a significant role in a business’s or an individual’s environmental footprint. Choosing modern, efficient machines is a great way to save energy and reduce waste.

Cafés can make a big statement by choosing machines that align with their sustainability goals. For instance, at Compass Coffee, under-counter espresso machines called Modbar are installed to increase energy efficiency.

By separating the boilers and optimizing their size, Modbar can heat water more precisely and on demand, leading to energy and water savings compared to large, traditional espresso machines that keep a large boiler constantly hot.

Tips for making eco-friendly coffee at home

Consumers also have the power to make a difference. When you're looking for an espresso machine for your home, consider these features to save energy:

• Heat-on-demand systems: Look for machines with thermoblock or thermo-coil heating systems. Unlike traditional machines that constantly heat a large boiler, these systems heat only the water needed for each shot, saving significant energy between uses.
• Automatic shut-off: A simple but effective feature automatically turns the machine off after a period of inactivity, ensuring you don't waste power if you forget to turn it off yourself.
• Energy-efficient brands: Many manufacturers are now making sustainability a priority. Brands like Breville, De'Longhi, and Gaggia offer a range of machines with energy-saving modes and efficient heating systems.

How to reuse coffee grounds at home

Don't toss out those used coffee grounds! The fragrant, rich grounds left over from your coffee are a powerful resource with a second life waiting to be discovered. Here are a few ideas to reuse your coffee grounds at home:

• Enrich your garden: Coffee grounds are a fantastic addition to your compost pile, as they're rich in nitrogen. You can also mix them into the soil around acid-loving plants like roses, hydrangeas, and blueberries to give them a healthy boost.
• Create a gentle scrub: Mix used coffee grounds with a bit of coconut oil or shower gel to create an exfoliating body scrub. It helps remove dead skin cells, leaving your skin feeling smooth.
• Rejuvenate your skin: The caffeine in coffee grounds is a source of antioxidants useful in skincare. Use the grounds in a face mask to help brighten your skin and reduce sun sensitivity. Caffeine is especially popular for under-eye masks, as the caffeine can help reduce puffiness and dark circles.
• Deodorize naturally: Coffee is great at absorbing odors. Place a small bowl of coffee grounds in your fridge, freezer, or room to neutralize smells. You can also rub them on your hands after chopping garlic or onions to get rid of lingering odors.
• Clean tough pots and pans: Use a small amount of grounds on a sponge to scrub stubborn residue off pots and pans. The grounds act as a gentle abrasive that won't scratch the surface.
• Repel mosquitoes: For a natural bug repellent, place dried coffee grounds in a heat-safe bowl and light them. The smoke created by the burning grounds will help keep mosquitoes and other insects away. Just be sure to do this in a well-ventilated area or outdoors.
• Repel pests: Pests like snails and slugs are not big fans of coffee grounds. Sprinkle a small ring of grounds around plants to help deter them from getting to your leaves.
• Natural dye: Use coffee grounds to create a natural, sepia-toned dye for paper, fabric, or even Easter eggs. Simply boil the grounds in water and then use the resulting "coffee water" to stain your desired item.
• Non-toxic paint: You can also mix coffee grounds with a small amount of water to create a rich brown watercolor-style paint.
• Household cleaning: To clean up a mess in the fireplace or wood stove, sprinkle damp coffee grounds over the ashes before scooping them out. The coffee weighs down the ash and prevents a dusty mess.

Mini guide: Making compost with coffee grounds

Using coffee grounds for compost is a fantastic way to reduce waste and create a nutrient-rich amendment for your garden. Here is a quick, step-by-step guide to get you started:

1. Gather your materials

Composting requires a balance of "brown" and "green" materials.

• Green materials (nitrogen-rich): This includes your used coffee grounds, along with other kitchen scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, and fresh grass cuttings. Coffee grounds are considered a green material because of their high nitrogen content.
• Brown materials (carbon-rich): This provides structure to the compost pile. Good examples are dried leaves, shredded newspaper or cardboard, and small twigs or wood chips.

2. Build your compost pile

Find a suitable location for your compost pile or bin, ideally a spot with good drainage that is out of direct sunlight. A good rule of thumb is to maintain a ratio of about 2 parts brown material to 1 part green material.

• Begin with a base layer of brown materials, like twigs and dry leaves, to ensure proper air circulation at the bottom.
• Add a layer of green materials, including your coffee grounds. Break up any clumps to ensure they are evenly distributed.
• Continue layering browns and greens until your bin is full.

3. Maintain and monitor

A healthy compost pile needs moisture and air to break down effectively.

• Keep it moist: The compost should feel like a damp sponge (not soaking wet but not completely dry). If it's too dry, you can add water. If it's too wet, add more brown materials.
• Aerate the pile: Use a pitchfork or shovel to turn the pile every week or two. This adds oxygen, which is essential for the microorganisms that do the work of decomposition.

4. Wait for it to mature

Patience is key! Depending on your composting method and how often you turn the pile, it can take anywhere from a few months to a year for your compost to be ready. You'll know it's finished when it looks like rich, dark soil and smells earthy.

What are some creative ways to reuse coffee tins?

Just as the coffee grounds can be given a new purpose, so can the tin they came in. Instead of recycling them right away, you can easily repurpose them into something useful for your home. Try some of these:

• Stylish planters: Use the tins as small planters for herbs, small flowers (like mini daffodils, pansies, or dwarf zinnias) or succulents. Just be sure to poke a few holes in the bottom for drainage before you add the soil.
• Kitchen organizers: The tins are perfect for keeping your kitchen tidy. Use them to store cooking utensils, hold spice packets, hide sweet snacks, or organize small kitchen tools in a cupboard.
• Craft and office supply holders: Keep your creative space neat by using tins to hold pens, pencils, paintbrushes, scissors, buttons, embroidery needles, threads, or other small craft supplies.
• Dry goods storage: Clean the tins thoroughly and use them to store dry goods like flour, sugar, or pasta. Their airtight lids help keep food fresh.
• Tea caddy: Store teabags or loose-leaf tea to keep it fresh and fragrant.
• Hot chocolate cocoa mix: The tins are a great way to store cocoa mix for hot chocolate, keeping it ready for a cozy treat.
• Pet treat tin: The airtight lids also make them great for storing your pet's favorite treats.
• DIY piggy bank: With a little paint and a small slit in the lid, a coffee tin can be transformed into a fun, durable piggy bank for collecting change.

Mini guide: Simple hot cocoa mix for your coffee tin

To make a delicious hot cocoa mix to store in your repurposed coffee tin, simply combine these ingredients. Once mixed, it will stay fresh for months, making it a perfect pantry staple or a heartfelt homemade gift for friends.

Top tip: If making as a gift, tie a small spoon around the tin with decorative twine or ribbon for an extra thoughtful touch.

Ingredients:

• 1 part high-quality, unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 part sugar (white or brown sugar works well)
• 2 parts powdered milk (such as whole milk powder)
• A pinch of sea salt flakes (enhances the chocolate flavor)
• As many mini marshmallows as your heart desires

To make a cup:

Add 2-3 tablespoons of your mix to a mug. Stir in a small amount of hot water to create a paste, then fill the rest of the mug with hot milk, stirring until smooth.

What sets Compass Coffee apart?

In a market full of brands claiming to be "sustainable," it's often hard to know who is making a real impact. Compass Coffee has a true sustainable mission and vision, something that was put in place when we first started.

We go beyond buzzwords by focusing on a complete coffee lifecycle, from the farm to your kitchen counter. This isn't just about one or two good practices. It's about a consistent, long-term commitment to coffee farmers, a lower carbon footprint, and producing exceptional coffee for our customers.

Your next step for a real impact

We’ve covered the entire journey of sustainable coffee, from the ethical sourcing of beans to the innovative ways you can reuse packaging. The ultimate guide is not just a list of facts, but a blueprint for meaningful action.

The journey to a more sustainable coffee routine doesn’t require a single giant leap. It begins with deliberate choices, such as choosing a coffee house that has direct relationships with sustainable farmers or seeking out an energy-efficient coffee machine for your home.

Where to buy sustainable coffee

If you’re looking for a brand that embodies every step of this guide, choose Compass Coffee. Our commitment to direct trade, efficient roasting, local sourcing, and a reuse program shows that a business can be built on real, transparent action.

The perfect cup of coffee is about sensational, aromatic flavor, as well as the positive impact behind the beans. By making a few mindful choices, you join a community that is working toward a more equitable and eco-friendly future.