Plastic-Free Brew: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Welcome to our Plastic-Free Brewing FAQ, where we explore the ongoing debate about plastics in coffee, the concerns raised by researchers regarding K-Cups, polypropylene (PP), microplastics, forever chemicals, and why many health-conscious consumers are considering plastic-free coffee brewing as a safer alternative.
Product & Ordering
Will these work in my Keurig?
Yes, all of them. Our PaperPods work in every Keurig brewer, no special model or adapter needed.
Are they really plastic-free? What are they made of?
Our pods contain no petrochemicals and none of the petroleum-based plastic used in conventional K-Cups. They’re made from plant-based materials and coffee by-product. To be precise about it: ‘plastic’ really describes any material you can mold with heat, including plant-based ones, so a few parts, like the pod’s ring, are plant-based bio-resins that break down in composting rather than fossil-fuel plastics that stick around. Nothing petroleum-based ever touches your coffee.
How do I compost or dispose of them?
Two ways, and both work. In the US, anything labeled certified compostable* points to industrial composting facilities, because that is the only compost certification the country currently offers, so it is worth checking what your community has. That label does not mean the pod cannot break down at home. Our pods are made from materials certified to those US standards, and they also break down in a well-managed backyard pile with good composting practices, a hot pile with a healthy balance of greens and browns. The people who make our pods compost them in their own backyard. Prefer not to compost the whole pod? Tear it open and compost the grounds and the paper filter.
What coffee is inside?
Roaster’s Reserve, our flagship dual-origin blend of Brazilian and Honduran specialty beans, small-batch roasted and sealed fresh. Bold and balanced, with low acidity and no burnt bitterness.
How fresh are they?
Very, and they stay that way. Each pod is sealed oxygen-free the moment the coffee is ground, so the flavor stays locked in for up to 12 months.
Do you offer other roasts, flavors, or decaf?
Not yet, and that’s on purpose. We started with one blend and taste-tested it until it earned its place. We’ll grow the lineup over time as we find more coffees worth your morning.
How does the subscription work?
Order a single 20-count box, or save with 60-count (5% off) or 120-count (10% off). You can also subscribe from about $30.86 per month and never run out.
What is your shipping and returns policy?
Shipping is a flat $4.99 per order, no matter how many boxes you buy. All sales are final. As a fresh, perishable product, our pods can’t be returned once they ship. That said, we stand behind every box. If you’re ever unhappy with the quality of your coffee, reach out to us directly and we’ll work with you on a refund or replacement.
The Science: Plastic & Your Health
What are K-Cups made of, and why might it matter?
Most K-Cups are made of polypropylene, a petroleum-based plastic (resin #5) chosen because it holds up to heat. It is approved for food contact, but researchers are still studying how any plastic behaves under the heat, pressure, and acidity of brewing. The open question is microplastics: the tiny particles that can shed when plastic is heated and pierced.
Do microplastics actually end up in the coffee?
Some research suggests they can. In a 2022 study, polypropylene cups released roughly 781 to 4,951 microplastic particles per liter into water held at 95°C for 20 minutes (Chen et al., Science of the Total Environment). Separately, the National Institute of Standards and Technology found that single-use hot-beverage cups can shed trillions of far smaller nanoparticles per liter into hot water (NIST). Brewing forces near-boiling water through plastic, so it is a reasonable place to look.
Have microplastics been found in the human body?
Yes, and that is the part driving the concern. A 2024 study detected microplastics in the olfactory bulb of the human brain, with polypropylene the most common type (JAMA Network Open). Another 2024 study found micro and nanoplastics in artery plaque, where their presence was associated with a higher rate of heart attack, stroke, or death over the following months, though the authors note the study has limits (New England Journal of Medicine). This is emerging research, and none of it proves a coffee pod is harming you. It is why a growing number of people choose to reduce plastic exposure where it is easy to.
What are endocrine disruptors, and how do plastics fit in?
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals interfere with the body’s hormones. Some plastics can carry them, including bisphenols such as BPA and phthalates, and the Endocrine Society links this class of chemicals to effects on fertility, metabolism, and development (Endocrine Society). Research is still untangling how much exposure comes from food and drink contact specifically, so we keep this point measured: a reason to be thoughtful, not to panic.
Is anyone regulating single-serve pods?
Slowly. In 2016, Hamburg, Germany became the first city to ban single-use coffee pods in government buildings, citing the waste of wrapping a few grams of coffee in plastic and aluminum (NPR). More recently, the European Union moved to require coffee pods sold there to be compostable under its new packaging rules, phased in toward 2028 (Regulation (EU) 2025/40). The United States has been slower, leaving most action to states and cities.
These are the concerns that set us on our path. It’s also why we chose a pod with no petroleum-based plastic between near-boiling water and your coffee. Shop our plastic-free pods.
