Life Cycle Assessment of Compostable Coffee Pods: A US University Based Case Study.

Scientific Reports
Komal KooduvalliSoydan Ozcan

Abstract

Single-serve machines have proven to be a rapid and convenient mechanism for preparing coffee for consumption. However, disposing the single-use coffee pods accompanying each use creates insurmountable waste in landfills. With the introduction of biobased products being certified as industrially compostable, there is scope for an effective waste stream for nearly all biobased products that avoids adding to landfills. The case presented in this paper demonstrates the success of composting compostable coffee pods within a local industrial-scale composting facility. Utilizing the existing local composting facility at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, a life cycle assessment was performed to calculate the overall embodied energy and related environmental impact(s) to determine the feasibility of using compostable coffee pods over conventional plastic ones. Testing showed complete degradation within 46 days, proving composting to be a feasible waste stream option and a sustainable marketing edge while treading the path toward a circular economy. Cost savings of 21% were realized in terms of waste disposal, in addition to creating a value-added product at the end of the coffee pods life cycle, with nutrient-rich compost being re...Continue Reading

References

Jun 17, 2009·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Jefferson HopewellEdward Kosior
Jan 23, 2013·Reviews on Environmental Health·Emily J North, Rolf U Halden
Aug 5, 2017·Science Advances·Roland GeyerKara Lavender Law

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