Single-Serve ‘Coffee Balls’ Replace Capsules To Put Waste To Slumber

It’s hardly a secret that many creatives can’t function without a cup of Joe in the morning. 

And while single-use coffee pods are no doubt one of the most convenient and quickest ways to get that oh-so-good caffeine into your system before heading out the door, it’s admittedly wasteful, with all the packaging and plastic being thrown away each day. 

To address this issue, Sweden’s CoffeeB has devised a new way of getting your coffee fix while being as eco-friendly as possible: with fully-compostable Coffee Balls. 

Instead of the usual plastic pods you get at the grocer’s, CoffeeB’s Globe machine operates with single-serve Coffee Balls, comprising compressed ground coffee beans encapsulated within an almost invisible seaweed outer casing. 

Ensuring you won’t confuse your preferred dark roast for your roommate’s light, the blend and roast type of the coffee are laser-etched onto the casing itself, which the brand confirms is food-safe, transparent, and flavorless.

These coffee balls have a rather long shelf life, and are able to last up to three months after the package has been opened if it’s kept dry at room temperature or stored safely in the refrigerator. 

The best part? You can feel good about how sustainable your java is, too. The coffee balls are 100% compostable in home gardens, and break down within weeks in damp conditions. CoffeeB also provides guides on how to properly turn the waste into compost, or for those with budding green thumbs, how to use the coffee balls as a natural fertilizer for your potted plants. 

The brand’s coffee beans are certified organic and Fair Trade, and its machine is built with partially-recycled materials, with a modular design for easy replacements.

While it’s unclear when the setup will be available worldwide, the machine is expected to retail for 169 Swiss francs (US$171), and a nine-pack of coffee balls for 4.60 Swiss francs (US$4.66). 

[via New Atlas and Associated Press, images via CoffeeB]