Updated December 2018
I wrote my first post on an alternative for throwing away those wasteful, pesky not-really-recycled/recyclable K-Cups in 2007. Since then, I have reviewed a number of alternatives. I’ve even reviewed another single-cup brewer. However, now that some of the patents on K-Cups have expired, we have more variations and and alternatives to Keurig brewers and single-cup pods, cartridges, and capsules than Carter has little pills.
Avoiding sending coffee-related trash to landfills (and using much more sustainably-grown coffee than is typically available in pre-packaged single-cup coffee products) is certainly within the purvey of a web site on coffee sustainability. But it’s come to the point that if I were to review, or even mention, half of the K-Cup alternatives flooding the market this site would veer away from an emphasis on the ecological effects of coffee growing. I am going to semi-retire from discussing or reviewing these types of products, unless there is some sort of remarkable innovation or noteworthy news.
For my finale, here is a table that summarizes the popular products currently on the market which are reusable alternatives to K-Cups which allow for the use of a consumer’s own coffee that are compatible with many of the original Keurig brewers.
Reusable alternatives to K-Cups
| My K-Cup Reusable Filter | $13, original. $23 for a universal model that fits older AND newer (2.0) Keurig brewers. | 15 or 17 | Best to have at least two so that you aren't cleaning one over and over. The best deal is a pack of 4 universal stainless steel version. My review here. |
| ekobrew | $15 | 14 | My review here. 2nd-most popular with C&C readers. |
| Solofill See also gold versionthat has less potential to alter flavor. | $15 | 11 | My review here. Most popular with C&C readers. |
| The My-Cap (also known as My-Kap) was a simple and inexpensive ($7 for 3 caps plus a cleaning brush) for refilling used K-Cups. They went out of business, but a similar product is the Recycle A Cup, a product I've not tested. | $12 for 2 | 9, or however much you can fit into an old K-Cup | Used to refill old K-Cups. My post of the old product here. I haven't tested the replacement. |
| EZ Cup by Perfect Pod which requires proprietary filters, approximately $12 for 100. There is a newer product, the Cafe Fill Value Pack by Perfect Pod that includes two reusable filters and a special scoop with a funnel allowing for the correct amount of coffee easily placed in the pod. Very popular. | $9.90 for original, $13 for new pack. | Around 9 | Requires proprietary filters, approximately $12 for 100. Only for older Keurig brewers. |
I’m not sure, given the fact that there are so many competitors and K-Cup brands, that K-Cups themselves will ever be truly eco-friendly. Here is what Keurig owner Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR) had to say in their 2011 CSR document:
Widespread adoption of the Keurig® single cup brewing system raises some important — and complex — environmental challenges. To better understand the impact of our products and guide our efforts to address those challenges, we conducted a life cycle analysis comparing single cup brewing systems to drip-brewing systems. We learned that the cultivation of coffee beans, operation of brewing systems, and use of materials in product packaging all represent significant impacts on the environment. The study revealed that packaging disposal represents a fraction of a product’s environmental impact across its entire life cycle.
Literally billions of K-cups ending up in a landfill may be just a “fraction” of this product’s environmental impact, but it is huge in and of itself. With the alternatives listed above, there’s no excuse for using this wasteful product.
*I’ve included the capacity as stated in promotional material, user reviews on outside web sites, and/or my own testing, if available. The volume of coffee grounds that will fit in something that goes in the original Keurig brewers is, in my opinion, the biggest limitation to coffee quality to those machines. The Specialty Coffee Association of America recommends 10 grams of coffee per 6-ounce cup; most people drink larger mugs of coffee and may also prefer a stronger cup. A regular K-Cup can hold about 9 grams of coffee. Despite “bold” selections and brewers that make various cups size, the physical capacity of the older (not the new “Vue” brewers) machines is difficult to overcome. Therefore, getting a well-crafted cup of coffee from a Keurig brewer (and many other brands I have seen or used) is hit or miss.
Revised on January 15, 2022
I’ve never cared for the one-cup machines due to their inherent waste. Particularily of plastic. The solutions listed above do seem to be a good alternative.
Awesome post! More something like this
Never thought of such alternatives. thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Julie, for being the go-to source for this information for so long. What are you going to do with all the time you used to spend reviewing this stuff?
M
Perfecting my pour-over technique?
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