For some years now, several companies have sold coffee-making systems that produce coffee and other warm beverages while creating a mountain of waste. The coffee is in a sealed aluminum pod that the user inserts into the machine and voila, one cup of the coffee you selected is sent through a common dispenser into your probably Styrofoam cup. Now these systems do not brew coffee in a different way as an espresso maker does; but rather they bring technology to the art of making instant coffee. The pods come in an array of coffee strengths and flavors (usually artificial), and often include hot chocolate and some tea varieties.
I have seen these set-ups from several companies in a number of homes and business, and I can see why businesses fall for this machine:
- No more arguments about cleaning up the coffee pot
- People get a wide choice of drinks
- It’s completely sanitary
I don’t drink coffee, but the tea and hot chocolate from these contraptions has always struck me as having two strong back flavors—one of coffee and the other of that general processed flavor you can taste in certain processed foods.
And these tins will accumulate quickly and create unnecessary waste. It’s absurd—every cup of coffee, tea or cocoa makes another aluminum pod. Whatever the convenience factor, how can anyone justify the packaging waste this system produces.
And now the New York Times reports that Nestlé is coming out with one of these pod systems just for tea!!!
You remember Nestlé.
That’s the Swiss food giant that promoted infant formula over breast-feeding to mothers in less economically developed countries, which led to health problems and infant deaths because of the unavailability of clean water with which to mix the formula.
Nowadays, instead of exploiting the poor, Nestlé is pandering to the wasteful tendencies of our throwaway society.
Okay, let’s take it all in: You buy an expensive machine plus expensive pods of tea and whatever artificial flavorings and preservatives are also in there and you create a nice cup of litter for every single cup of tea you have—all to avoid boiling water.
It makes you wonder if there are some products such as these beverage making systems that are so useless and unnecessary that they are inherently immoral.
To all individuals and businesses: Do not buy this machine. Buy a tea pot and a coffee maker.
And when you run into these machines, do what I have started doing: refuse to drink any beverage from them. You don’t have to make a big deal about it if you don’t want to be confrontational. Don’t say why you’re not having any coffee if you feel uncomfortable about “dissing” your client or your lawyer, or your significant other’s bourgeois parents whom you’re meeting for the first time. Just don’t drink the coffee or tea.
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Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic article.Much thanks again. Cool.
Thanks. I like coffee. I want to buy espresso machines. What do you suggest espresso machines?
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Looking forward to reading more. Great post. Awesome.
Can we get back on topic please. Everything seems to have gotten off the subject. Some of these comments are unbelievable.
If only everybody might be like you. The environment would be a much better place.
Not all the Electric Coffee Grinders developed equal nor they have a tendency do the same position. I highly recommend that you seek the advice of a professional before buying one
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I am surprised by the tone at the end of this article which seems to suggest that Nestle are no longer guilty of inappropriately marketing their baby milk products in developing countries. If only that were true. Sadly this isn’t the case. They are still in breach of the WHO guidelines and the boycott on their products remains.
See the Baby Milk Action blog:
http://info.babymilkaction.org/news/campaignblog260510
Find Baby Milk Action on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4978994961