Why Pod Coffee Deserves a Second Sip,  for Convenience, Quality, and Sustainability

Pod coffee is often celebrated for its unmatched convenience and consistency. But there's also a lot of conversation around its environmental impact, especially when it comes to single-use capsules. At Noir, we believe it's time to look at the full picture.

But here’s a fresh perspective worth brewing over:
Not all pod coffee is bad coffee.
And when done right, it may even be better for you, and for the planet.

Rethinking the impact: What really matters?

A study from the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi sheds light on the full environmental picture of your daily brew, and it turns out the real environmental cost isn’t in the pod.

In fact, most of the carbon emissions from a cup of coffee come from two things:

• The production of coffee beans (from farming to roasting), and
• The energy used during brewing

So, while the visible pod might be what ends up in your bin, it’s actually the beans and electricity that are driving up your carbon footprint.

The Surprising case for pods

Here's what the data tells us:

1. Pods mean precision

Pod machines like our Noir Azure are engineered for accuracy, delivering the right amount of coffee and water, every single time. No wastage. No over pouring.

By contrast, filter coffee methods often use more beans and more energy than necessary. The study found that pod brewing can save between 11 to 13 grams of coffee per cup, which adds up significantly over time.

2. Pods can use less energy

Because pod machines typically brew only what’s needed, they often avoid the energy loss of heating large water reservoirs or leaving machines on to stay warm (like traditional drip makers do).

3. With clean power, pods are a smarter choice

If your machine runs on renewable electricity, the environmental impact of each cup drops dramatically. For example:

• A cup of filter coffee made with fossil-fuel energy can produce up to 48g CO₂ equivalent
• That same cup, brewed with renewable energy? Just 2g CO₂

What about the pods themselves?

It’s a valid concern. Discarded pods can contribute to waste if not managed responsibly.
But context is key.

The same study found that:

• Producing and landfilling a pod = approximately 33g CO₂
• Producing 11g of Arabica coffee = approximately 59g CO₂

That means using more coffee than needed has a higher environmental cost than the pod it’s brewed in.

Of course, the goal is to do both:
Reduce waste and brew better.

That’s why at Noir, we’re actively working on solutions to repurpose used pods, while encouraging our community to recycle, reuse, and return.

The real game-changer: Mindful brewing

Sustainability isn’t about perfect decisions, it’s about better habits.
Here are a few things that make a real difference:

• Brew only what you’ll actually drink
• Avoid overfilling water tanks
• Choose efficient machines like the Noir Azure
• Recycle used pods wherever possible or check with Noir for recycling
• And remember: milk adds significantly to your carbon footprint

As environmental expert Andrea Hicks puts it:
“People often assume that something reusable is always better, and sometimes it is. But people don’t always factor in behavior.”

Why Noir stands by pod coffee

Because it aligns with our values, convenience, elevated rituals, and quality without compromise.

Pod coffee, when done right, offers:

• Consistency without excess
• Craft without the mess
• Sustainability without the guesswork

With Noir Azure, every cup is brewed with purpose.
You use less. You waste less. You drink better.
And that’s a ritual we can all get behind.