Tag: Environment

When Coffee Enters the Age of Rules

Posted on by Qahwa World

By: Dr. Steffen Schwarz, Coffee Consulate

The future of circular coffee will not be determined by innovation alone, but by whether standards, policies and institutions recognise what coffee is becoming before the market moves on.

For many years, the coffee industry focused on taste, trade and technology, while policy was mostly background noise through customs, export paperwork, food safety, waste rules, or occasional certifications. Coffee seemed too sensory and culturally nimble to be governed like steel, energy or chemicals. That illusion is fading. Coffee now enters a new age, shaped by what institutions are ready to recognise, reward, regulate and scale.

This requires attention to standards, policy frameworks, trade rules, public-private programmes and the governance around circular coffee. The Coffee Development Report 2022–23 places coffee in a global context, linking it to European circular economy policy, ISO standards, initiatives in Brazil, Africa, India, Indonesia, and even the G7 political process supporting circular and regenerative coffee value chains.

Coffee is appearing in the language of industrial transformation, climate governance and systems design. Concepts like circular economy gain force when embedded in standards, procurement, customs codes, infrastructure, regulatory adaptation, financing and political communiqués. Coffee is approaching that threshold, and the question is whether the sector understands what is at stake.

You may like: Coffee Pulp in Brazil: When the Coffee Cherry Refuses to Be Waste

The European Circular Economy Action Plan illustrates how circularity moves from aspiration to administration. Updated monitoring frameworks include material footprint, resource productivity and consumption footprint. Supply chains are scrutinised in packaging, transport, waste systems, by-product valorisation and end-of-life pathways. Circularity becomes part of ordinary business expectations, not just a niche innovation topic.

The European Union Circular Economy Resource Centre will mobilise expertise, policies, standards, technologies, business models and learning exchange globally. Circularity is projected outward as an industrial transition and international cooperation model, placing coffee directly in its path. The sector can shape this global exchange or have standards imposed externally.

Circularity is not only a Northern invention. Brazil integrates circular economy into its 2024 G20 presidency and national strategy, redefining resource use, production chains and nature regeneration. Africa, through the Africa Circular Economy Facility, builds institutional capacity, supports private sectors, promotes circular policies and strengthens alliances. India and Indonesia embed circularity into development plans, linking coffee to bioeconomy, rural communities and women’s empowerment.

The G7 Summit 2024 included coffee in its communiqué, supporting multi-stakeholder programmes, public-private funds, and resilient circular coffee value chains. ISO standards 59004, 59010, and 59020 now guide circular economy principles, defining vocabulary, guidance and performance metrics, translating global concepts into sector-specific action.

Standards and policy frameworks are vital for fragmented coffee supply chains. Harmonised customs codes, certifications, and regulations make circular coffee legible to trade and finance, while education, training, and collaborative platforms enable practical implementation across farms, mills, roasteries, and municipalities.

For coffee businesses, value increasingly depends on compliance, circular performance, traceability, packaging, and alignment with governance infrastructure. Power in the circular age is defined by the ability to set categories, metrics, and pathways. Standards, regulations and monitoring frameworks shape coffee’s material, environmental and economic reality.

The future of coffee belongs not just to innovators, but to those who help write the rules that make innovation ordinary, trusted and scalable. Coffee has entered the age of rules, and the key question is whether the sector will arrive ready to shape them.

Researchers Warn of Hidden Microplastic Threat in Coffee Pods

Posted on by Qahwa World

Dubai – Qahwa World

As awareness of microplastic pollution continues to rise, new research is drawing attention to an unexpected source—coffee pods. Despite efforts to reduce plastic waste through reusable cups and eco-friendly alternatives, experts warn that the daily coffee ritual may be exposing millions to microscopic contaminants.

A Hidden Risk in Convenience

Coffee pod machines, used by roughly one-third of American coffee drinkers, offer undeniable convenience—just insert a pod, press a button, and brew. But researchers say that convenience comes with a cost.

A recent TIME Magazine report posed a critical question: What happens to the plastic in single-serve coffee pods? The concern lies in microplastics, particles less than five millimeters in size that are shed as plastic breaks down or when it is exposed to heat.

Evidence from Hot Beverages

In a study published in Science of the Total Environment, British environmental chemist Professor Mohamed Abdallah and his team found that every hot beverage sample tested contained microplastics, with higher levels in hot drinks compared to cold ones. While coffee pods weren’t specifically tested, the findings suggest that heat exposure during brewing may accelerate plastic particle release.

“Our understanding of the toxicity of microplastics remains in its infancy,” Abdallah said, noting that these particles have only been studied since 2004.

Inside the Human Body

Microplastics have been found nearly everywhere — from the deepest ocean trenches to human blood, lungs, and even the brain. Their small size allows them to travel through the environment and the human body unnoticed.

Environmental engineer Justin Boucher from the Food Packaging Forum added: “We already have evidence that many plastics and related microplastics contain hazardous chemicals that can cause harm.”

According to TIME, even the water in coffee machines can contain microplastics — and the brewed coffee may have nearly two-thirds more contaminants than the water used to make it.

What Can Be Done

Despite growing evidence, no specific government regulations currently address microplastic exposure. Researcher Tracey Woodruff from the University of California told TIME that meaningful change depends on both policymakers and industry leaders.

Still, experts advise individuals to reduce plastic use where possible, opt for metal or glass alternatives, and avoid single-use plastics when practical. “Don’t aim for perfection,” Woodruff said. “Every small step matters, and the bigger shift will come from collective action.”

Scientists Urge People to Stop Pouring Coffee Down Drains

Posted on by Qahwa World

London – Qahwa World

A recent incident in London, where a woman was fined £150 for pouring coffee down a drain, has sparked public debate about whether such actions could harm the environment. Although the fine was later withdrawn, experts say the issue highlights a larger problem.

Every day, around 98 million cups of coffee are consumed in the UK and 2 billion globally. The remains of those drinks—often poured down sinks or street drains—can accumulate and impact rivers, lakes, and aquatic life.

The Hidden Impact of Coffee Waste

Coffee contains hundreds of chemical compounds, including caffeine, sugars, milk residues, and organic materials. Among these, caffeine poses the greatest concern. It does not easily degrade, is now considered an emerging contaminant, and has been detected in lakes and rivers worldwide since at least 2003.

Even decaffeinated coffee is not harmless. When poured into drains, it lowers the pH of water and releases organic compounds that consume oxygen as they decompose. These effects can promote algal blooms and deprive aquatic life of the oxygen it needs to survive.

Wastewater treatment plants can remove caffeine with efficiencies ranging between 60% and 100%, depending on their design, season, and temperature. However, this means a significant portion can still reach waterways. During heavy rainfall, untreated wastewater may also overflow directly into rivers, further compounding the problem.

One global study found caffeine in over half of 258 rivers across 104 countries, indicating that the issue extends far beyond the UK. Research shows even small concentrations of caffeine can disrupt the metabolism, growth, and movement of aquatic organisms.

What Should (and Shouldn’t) Go Down the Drain

Experts warn that street drains are meant only for rainwater, not for waste liquids. Pouring coffee, oils, detergents, or paints into drains allows these substances to flow straight into rivers and seas.

Similarly, household sinks—connected to the same combined sewage network—should not be used for disposing of liquids like coffee or food-based waste. Besides the environmental risk, coffee grounds can also clog household plumbing.

Sustainable Alternatives for Coffee Waste

Instead of pouring leftover coffee down the drain:

Compost it: Coffee grounds enrich compost and can safely decompose in food waste systems.

Use as plant feed: Diluted coffee water can serve as a mild fertilizer if used sparingly.

Dispose responsibly: Place coffee grounds or small amounts of liquid in household waste bins if composting is not available.

Reduce waste: Brew only as much coffee as you intend to drink.

A Shared Responsibility

Improving river and coastal health requires policy reform and investment, but experts stress that individuals also play a role. Simple actions—like keeping coffee out of drains—can collectively make a measurable difference in protecting ecosystems.

“We are all part of how the water system works,” says Kevin Collins, Senior Lecturer in Environment & Systems at The Open University. “By changing small habits, we can help keep coffee out of our rivers and out of our environment.”