Plastic Coffee

Is Bad for the Environment.

Right from the start, I knew coffee pods were a bad idea for the health of our environment, and once I learned more about the chemicals used in manufacturing plastic it became even more apparent that coffee pods are also bad for the health of humans.

Starting Your Day with Hot Chemicals.

When the coffee maker heats the water quickly to a high temperature it enhances the migration of plastic chemicals from the coffee maker into the water. Then the hot water continues through the plastic coffee pod, enhancing a second migration of various chemicals, and then you drink them.

Add a Straw and Creamer.

Phthalates, BPA and PCBs are some of the chemicals used in the manufacturing of plastic. If you are in a hotel or restaurant you may even be stirring your hot chemical slurry with a small plastic stir stick, followed by opening a small plastic container of creamer and adding that to the mix.

Fatty Foods Can Also Enhance Migration.

Yes, that’s right – your fatty creamer has been soaking up plastic chemicals while waiting to be added to your morning chemical brew because fatty substances, along with heat, have also been shown to enhance the migration of chemicals from plastic containers into food or liquids.

Another Chemical in the Cup?

Styrene, one of the many chemicals used to create Styrofoam, is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a known mutagen (something that causes genetic mutation) and a possible human carcinogen. Sigh. It’s time to move away from our morning chemicals!

Make the Switch.

Get a glass or stainless-steel coffee maker. Try a French press. Try an old-fashioned percolator. Try a pour-over coffee maker. Anything but plastic. And then get a stainless steel, insulated coffee cup to use when you fill up at the local coffee shop for take-out. More than likely they will even give you a discount for bringing in your own cup!