John Sylvan is the inventor of probably one of the most innovating devices to sweep the world when it comes to coffee and hot beverages.
The Keurig coffee machine revolutionized how coffee is made within the home, and many people would assume that Sylvan would use his device. In a recent interview, Sylvan exclaimed that he doesn’t use the machine that has made him a fortune.
Sylvan exclaimed to The Atlantic, “I don’t have pods. They’re kind of expensive to use. Plus it’s not like drip coffee is tough to make.”
It was reported that Keurig brought in 4.7 billion dollars in revenue last year alone, and while Keurig shareholders are seeing green, many environmentalists share their concern that the company is hurting Mother Earth.
Back in 2014, an article written in Mother Jones, states that the company is responsible for creating 8.3 billion, un-biodegradable K-cups, and according to the magazine that is enough cups “to wrap around the equator 10.5 times.”
In a report written by the company, they announced and promised that by 2020 all of their cups and products will be 100 percent biodegradable. In the statement they claimed, “Designing a recyclable K-Cup® pack is only one piece of the equation. We also want to be certain that the majority of our consumers can effectively recycle their used K-Cup® packs. We’re actively engaged with other businesses, recyclers, and industry organizations to understand the whole system and contribute to solutions.”
There are other alternatives out there already providing cleaner and more environmental products, a fact that may hurt the Green Mountain Company, who doesn’t plan to change their resources for five years.
Sylvan responded to these claims about the risks to the environment stating, ”I gotta be honest with you, we’re not happy with where we are, either.”
Illustration by: John W. Tomac
