Do coffee machines use a lot of electricity and are they sustainable?

If you’re a facilities or office manager, you’re probably in charge of keeping the team fueled. Coffee plays a big part in that. But with so many office coffee machines on the market, choosing the right one isn’t just about cost, convenience or drink variety. Sustainability matters too.

More UK businesses are making greener choices. That’s down to increased awareness around climate change, pressure to cut carbon emissions and a growing expectation from employees to work for responsible companies. Every decision counts, including your office coffee machine.

It’s not just about what you serve but how you serve it. The right machine can help reduce waste, lower energy use and support your wider environmental goals.

Here’s how a coffee machine can support your office’s sustainability goals while still delivering great coffee every day.

Plastic

Providing your team with quality coffee at work means they’re not getting their caffeine fix on the high street. Not only does this save them money, but it also helps to reduce the amount of waste produced by your employees who might otherwise choose to buy coffee from outside the office in disposable cups. Most disposable coffee cups are made from paper coated with a thin layer of plastic to make them waterproof. This plastic lining makes the cups difficult to recycle in standard facilities. In the UK, only a small number of specialist plants can separate the materials properly. Outside of this specialist treatment, coffee cups can take 20-30 years to break down. A coffee machine and a cupboard of mugs will eliminate the footprint of your team’s coffee habit.

Coffee waste

For most coffee machines, the only by-product they produce is coffee grounds. If sustainability is your goal, there are lots of ways you can make use of these. You can use coffee grounds as fertiliser for your garden or like us, you can choose to donate it to a local allotment. You can also use a coffee grounds recycling services, whereby your coffee grounds would be collected and then taken to a recycling plant to make them into something else!

Coffee

When considering the sustainability of office coffee machines, you’ll also want to think about the broader context of coffee production. The coffee industry is known for its environmental impact, particularly in areas such as deforestation, water usage, and pesticide use. You can offset this impact by choosing sustainably sourced coffee beans to help mitigate some of these issues.

Cleaning

The maintenance and upkeep of office coffee machines are also something to consider when evaluating your office coffee machine’s sustainability. They require regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure that they’re functioning properly and pouring high-quality coffee. This can require the use of cleaning chemicals which can contribute to an office’s environmental footprint. However, regular maintenance will help to extend the lifespan of the machine, reducing the need for frequent replacements. We offer a cleaner that has been tested for toxicology and corrosivity, if you prefer a low risk option. When you balance the pros and cons, a coffee machine is a sustainable option.

Energy use

The first thing to consider when evaluating the sustainability of office coffee machines is their energy usage. They do require a significant amount of energy to operate, as they need to heat water and grind beans to make coffee. This energy usage can have a significant impact on an office’s carbon footprint, particularly if the machine is used frequently. However, most modern office coffee machines are designed with energy efficiency in mind. They’ll have features like an automatic shut-off and low-energy modes, which can help to reduce their overall energy consumption.

Get in touch

Overall, an office coffee machine is a convenient way for your team to enjoy high-quality, barista-style coffee throughout the day. This can help to reduce the amount of energy and resources they might otherwise use to leave the office and purchase coffee elsewhere. If your company is committed to sustainability and reducing its environmental impact, then an office coffee machine may be a worthwhile investment. If you need any help with choosing your machine, please contact our team and we’ll be delighted to help you. We have a wide range of coffee machines that will support you in your sustainability goals.