Sugar, creamer, and microplastics? The inside story on the plastic-free coffee revolution

It’s in everything. From baby bottles to sneakers, school lunches, and pens, plastic is ubiquitous. A study even found up to 5 grams of plastic in our cerebral organs. The average kitchen likely holds more than that. Look around your kitchen appliances - refrigerators, air fryers, blenders, coffee machines - they’re all plastic.

This shift in attitude towards plastics is changing. Google Trends reports a 5,000% increase in searches for “plastic-free coffee maker” in 2026. What’s causing this shift? Moccamaster, a leading coffee maker brand, and Beth Gardiner, author of Plastic Inc., shed light on the subject. Plastic is a petrochemical, derived from petroleum products.

It’s created through a series of complex chemical processes. While plastic isn’t inherently evil, it’s not always the most practical material. Microplastics, invisible to the naked eye, can form from any type of plastic. Even BPA-free or PFAS-free plastics degrade into microplastics when exposed to hot water or heating elements.

Despite this, plastic remains a popular choice due to its lightness, durability, and affordability. Brands like Simply Good Coffee, Aarke, and Ratio are offering low-plastic coffee makers to cater to the growing demand for plastic-free products. However, consumers should remember that the onus shouldn’t solely be on them to reduce plastic usage.

Moccamaster, for instance, complies with European food-contact requirements for its plastic components, ensuring they’re safe for use. Ultimately, consumers have limited choices when it comes to finding completely plastic-free coffee makers, but the trend is slowly moving towards more sustainable alternatives.