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Let's look at this article from the perspective of, "is this capitalist/consumerist propaganda?"
(SPOILER: yes.) https://www.wired.co.uk/article/coffee-pods-nespresso-recycling
(SPOILER: yes.) https://www.wired.co.uk/article/coffee-pods-nespresso-recycling
I've become suspicious of these kinds of, "well, I guess that's true," types of arguments since I read, "cloth diapers use more energy than disposable ones."
I boiled it down to, "then why do we wash underwear???"
It's BS meant to prod cloth diaper users back to disposables.
I boiled it down to, "then why do we wash underwear???"
It's BS meant to prod cloth diaper users back to disposables.
"Electric cars kill blind people," is another red herring.
No one actually talks to blind people, which is the first clue.
It's a clever way of taking a positive and making it a negative argument to stir up FUD. (Fear Uncertainty Doubt.)
No one actually talks to blind people, which is the first clue.
It's a clever way of taking a positive and making it a negative argument to stir up FUD. (Fear Uncertainty Doubt.)
So. Aluminum coffee capsules.
Let's establish this, so you're not lulled by the article.
Aluminum is energy intensive to smelt, to pour, and to roll and form.
Also, waste is a huge environmental problem.
And aluminum is linked to alzheimer's, so not best for food.
Let's establish this, so you're not lulled by the article.
Aluminum is energy intensive to smelt, to pour, and to roll and form.
Also, waste is a huge environmental problem.
And aluminum is linked to alzheimer's, so not best for food.
They spend a lot of time talking about the energy of heating water.
Let's do the math with the Tea Engine.
The Tea Boiler is 500W. If it ran full bore for an hour, that 1/2kWh. Tesla's get about 3mpkWh.
So full out tea for an hour is 1.5mi of driving.
Let's do the math with the Tea Engine.
The Tea Boiler is 500W. If it ran full bore for an hour, that 1/2kWh. Tesla's get about 3mpkWh.
So full out tea for an hour is 1.5mi of driving.
If I care about electric energy use for a Nespresso vs a teapot...
...I'd do a lot better simply driving more carefully.
It's like worrying about the gas fumes that leak out of your tank: there are other, better ways to reduce energy than water boiling energy.
...I'd do a lot better simply driving more carefully.
It's like worrying about the gas fumes that leak out of your tank: there are other, better ways to reduce energy than water boiling energy.
Next, we have solar. BAM! Electrical water boiling energy is irrelevant here.
They also bring up the fewer beans that capsules use.
Likely this is the secret agenda of the capitalist/consumerist argument: they can add cost to a smaller amount of beans.
Likely this is the secret agenda of the capitalist/consumerist argument: they can add cost to a smaller amount of beans.
I was awakened to this agenda in The Omnivores Dilemma: Southern farmers originally increased the value of their wheat crops by processing them: into pigs and whiskey.
That changed my view of changing work into profit: one method is to create unnecessary work.
That changed my view of changing work into profit: one method is to create unnecessary work.
Many products cost the most in packaging - so increase the complexity and beauty - and cost - of packaging to expand how you make money.
Coffee capsules are exactly this: instead of selling just coffee, now your selling coffee and a capsule.
A coffee capsule is about 70¢/ea.
Coffee capsules are exactly this: instead of selling just coffee, now your selling coffee and a capsule.
A coffee capsule is about 70¢/ea.
Are pods recyclable?
Not....really.
They're full of wet coffee.
You have to get them dry and empty before the coffee molds.
Not....really.
They're full of wet coffee.
You have to get them dry and empty before the coffee molds.
I printed a nice little Nespresso coffee pod recycler.
It's...kind of a lot of work to use.
Plus picking out bits of aluminum from the beans so it can be composted.
It's...kind of a lot of work to use.
Plus picking out bits of aluminum from the beans so it can be composted.
I can't see anyone actually using this long term, unless they were really dedicated.
It's like hanging clothes instead of using a dryer. It's a lot of time consuming work. You have to be really dedicated to doing it.
For me, hanging clothes crossed a line of inconvenience and I fell off the wagon.
(And so I'm designing a robotic laundry line hanger/folder...)
For me, hanging clothes crossed a line of inconvenience and I fell off the wagon.
(And so I'm designing a robotic laundry line hanger/folder...)
I'd wager most coffee capsules go right into the trash.
This argues for reusable capsules, and I got 3 stainless steel capsules to try.
But, like hanging clothes, I'm dubious of the added work of filling and washing...
But, like hanging clothes, I'm dubious of the added work of filling and washing...
In addition, reading amazon comments leaves me with the impression that there's a deep mystical art to packing the perfect reusable coffee capsule.
I got sh1t to do and can't spend my time carefully experimenting and documenting the subtleties of capsule filling and brewing.
I got sh1t to do and can't spend my time carefully experimenting and documenting the subtleties of capsule filling and brewing.
So here we are.
I admit, the ease of capsules crosses a line of consideration for using in Peppermint, my car.
But I'm also left wondering if there's a better way.
I admit, the ease of capsules crosses a line of consideration for using in Peppermint, my car.
But I'm also left wondering if there's a better way.
I'm starting to think and design my own robotic system:
Now I just need to save enough time with robot helpers, to design more robot helpers. :)
Now I just need to save enough time with robot helpers, to design more robot helpers. :)
