Win the Coffee War

Coffee, the world can't get enough of it. Coffee is the world's second-most-valuable commodity exported by developing countries, after oil. The global coffee industry earns an estimated $60 billion annually. More than 500 billion cups of coffee are served worldwide each year with half of all Americans over the age of 18 or 107 million people, drink coffee every day. On average, U.S. coffee drinkers consume three and a half cups a day apiece. ^{Read more}

If you're reading this than there is a 50% chance you drink coffee. If so you might be spending a nice chunk of change on it every week. Especially if you drink three or more cups a day and from a coffee place.

How can you reduce your impact and save money?

For one you could make your coffee from home and use a reusable mug or thermal. Doing so does two things to reduce your impact. You use less gas by driving to that coffee place, especially if you sit idling in a drive-thru for 10 minutes. Second, you stop using a paper cup once and throwing it away. Maybe your work has free coffee?

If you don't like the coffee at work you could just buy your own coffee and creamer and keep it at work. A mug or cup can run you anywhere from $1 (a cup from your local store or pharmacy) to $20+ (a mug that plugs into car lighter and stays warm here).


If heading to StarBucks (or your local coffee stop) in the morning is just something you're not willing to give up. Then consider buying a mug or cup anyways, you save $.10 a cup every time you fill up at StarBucks. ^{Read more} That can add up to $2.50+ a month, or $30.00+ a year. Just by taking in your own cup or mug. You also stop using and tossing a cup every single time you have coffee. You don't have to give up coffee all together to save money and reduce your impact.


Did you know?
If you are trying to cut down on your caffeine consumption, you can avoid some of the symptoms by doing it slowly. Cutting back by a half cup per day is a recommended pace. If you find yourself needing a cup of something try decaf or experiment with herbal teas.