March 6th's Tip
Coffee Filters: Did you know that 40% of landfill space is taken up by paper trash? This includes your standard coffee filters. Coffee fanatics may go through a number of these - even if you make one pot a day, that's 365 filters per year. Besides creating landfill waste, the chlorine used to bleach most filters releases carcinogens.
You don't have to give up your buzz, just your regular filters. Get a reusable one, and you'll help the planet and your wallet out. While it may seem like a larger investment than disposable filters, you will save money in the long-term.
Where to Buy
Amazon carries a number of reusable / permanent coffee filters, and many grocery stores or department stores may carry them, as well.
- Mr. Coffee permanent filter - 10-12 cup basket style
- Hemp reusable coffee filters
- Eco-Filter Cotton Reusable Melitta Coffee Filter
Contribute
If you want to contribute a tip (and I know you do!), shoot us an email (don't post the tip in the comments!). Be sure to include your URL if you want a link to your site included with your tip!
9 Responses
1
Grog
March 6th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
I don't know why I continue to use paper filters. But now that I am reading this, it realize how absurd of a practice it is.
2
April
March 6th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
If you can't seem to give up your coffee filter. Then buy the unbleached type and add it and the coffee grounds to your compost pile.
3
web development
March 7th, 2009 at 2:22 am
I can't beleive, 40% of landfill space is taken up by paper trash, everyone has to read and learn from this blog and make our earth very eco -friendly.
4
B. Casey
March 7th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
We finally have multi stream recycling at the curb and all our paper gets recycled even paper tea bag wrappers. After my Mr. Coffee died, I bought a coffee maker that has a screen filter (no paper required) and a thermal carafe so it doesn't use energy to keep the coffee warm.
5
Bsab
March 9th, 2009 at 3:39 am
This blog post really learned to me since i can't believe that 40% of landfill space is taken up by paper trash. Also, it is very important to use those product that are environmental friendly.
6
Reliable hosting service
March 9th, 2009 at 4:39 am
Paper filters are used by many. i guess replaceable filters have to be made a standard options by companies
7
Cheap Like Me
March 9th, 2009 at 11:07 am
I tried a reusable filter in our Bunn coffeemaker, and it made the coffee grounds explode out the top of the basket.
But we do buy the unbleached kind and compost them. And I Freecycled the barely-used reusable filter.
8
Stefanie
March 11th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Grog, we thought the same thing when we switched!
April, very good tip!
B. Casey, we don't have any recycling here, but we do take everything over to the center on our own. I wish there was a curb-side recycling available in our neighborhood, though, I think more people would participate.
Cheap Like Me, I'm sorry to hear about your experience, I didn't have that problem!
9
Fashion Shop
March 26th, 2009 at 1:53 am
I believe the taste of the coffee won't be affected by the filter.It's good to get reusable ones as it also cut the cost of drinking coffee.