A Coffee Conundrum
By MURRAY CARPENTER
Published: August 3, 2010
WATERBURY, Vt. — Green Mountain Coffee Roasters has built a reputation as an eco-friendly company since it was founded nearly 30 years ago.
Herb Swanson for The New York Times
This year, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters expects to sell nearly three billion K-Cups, the plastic and tinfoil pods that are made to be thrown away — filter, grounds and all — after one use.
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Times Topic: Coffee
Herb Swanson for The New York Times
Lawrence J. Blanford, chief executive of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, said the single-use coffee pods had some environmental benefits.
It started composting used coffee grounds in 1983, helped develop an eco-friendly paper cup in 2006 and last year installed a huge solar array on the roof of its distribution center. The company’s motto, “Brewing a Better World,” reflects its belief that it has a responsibility to help improve living conditions in regions that grow coffee beans.
But its recent growth has been fueled by a product that runs counter to its reputation. More than 80 percent of Green Mountain’s $803 million in sales last year came from nonrecyclable, nonbiodegradable, single-use coffee pods and their brewing systems. This year, the company expects to sell nearly three billion K-Cups, the plastic and tinfoil pods that are made to be thrown away — filter, grounds and all — after one use.
Now Green Mountain and its rivals are Single-Use Coffee Pods a Conundrum - NYTimes.com
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