Coffee Makers Replace Plastic Pods With Compostable Alternatives

Growing concerns about microplastics and environmental pollution are reshaping the home coffee market, prompting Keurig, Lavazza and Caraway to introduce machines and brewing products that reduce plastic use. The companies are targeting consumers seeking alternatives to conventional coffee capsules, with new products featuring compostable materials, compressed coffee tablets and stainless steel and glass components.

The shift comes as consumers increasingly consider the materials used in kitchen appliances and food preparation. A 2025 poll conducted by environmental organization 5 Gyres found that nine in 10 Americans were concerned about the effects of microplastics on human health and the environment. Research has also shown that conventional coffee pods can release microplastics.

Peter Giuliano, senior adviser for research at the Specialty Coffee Association, identified several factors driving demand for premium coffee equipment and alternatives to plastic packaging.

"feeling that metal and glass are more ‘luxury’ than plastic," Giuliano told CNN.

The growing interest also reflects increased consumer spending on home coffee equipment since the pandemic, alongside concerns about health and environmental sustainability.

Lavazza entered the US market with its Tablì system in June, introducing a $129 machine that exclusively uses compressed ground coffee tablets instead of conventional plastic and aluminum capsules. The Italian company developed a specialized process to produce the single-serving tablets.

"compresses precisely dosed, ground, and tamped coffee into a solid, ready-to-use tab," Lavazza explained in a press release.

Lavazza described the product as its most substantial US investment to date as it pursues a target of doubling revenue to $1 billion by 2029. The initial release of the Tablì machine quickly sold out, according to the company.

Daniele Foti, vice president of marketing for Lavazza North America, said the product addresses demand for single-serve coffee with less packaging waste.

"Consumers want to enjoy their coffee without the waste that usually comes with single-serve," Foti told CNN.

Keurig introduced its Alta coffee machine in October alongside AltaRounds, a new range of compostable coffee pods. The products mark a change for a company whose K-Cup plastic capsules helped popularize single-serve brewing in the 1990s. The new pods are incompatible with older Keurig machines.

Phil Drapeau, senior vice president of Keurig's Future Coffee Systems unit, said the redesigned pods substantially reduce plastic consumption compared with the company's traditional capsules.

"significant reduction in plastic compared to our K-Cup pods," Drapeau said.

The AltaRounds development process began in 2020 in response to changing consumer preferences around sustainability and health. Keurig said customer feedback influenced the decision to develop the alternative brewing system.

"We’ve heard clearly from customers that they want more sustainable products and specifically less plastic and plastic waste," Drapeau told CNN.

The company also identified product variety, beverage quality and waste reduction as important considerations across different consumer groups.

"Our data shows that drink variety, quality, and less plastic waste are high priorities across almost every group."

Keurig has previously faced criticism over its environmental claims. In 2022, the company agreed to pay $10 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging that it misled consumers by marketing its plastic K-Cups as recyclable. Keurig denied wrongdoing.

Despite their reduced plastic content, the new Keurig and Lavazza products still involve plastic packaging, according to Melissa Valliant, director of communications for 5 Gyres. She said this packaging remains an environmental concern.

"ends up in a landfill, incinerator, or our environment after use, contributing to the planet’s growing plastic pollution crisis," Valliant said.

Caraway has taken a different approach with a $495 coffee maker released last month. Its design uses stainless steel and glass throughout the brewing path, preventing plastic from coming into contact with the coffee grounds. Unlike the other two systems, the machine uses conventional ground coffee.

Jordan Nathan, Caraway's CEO, said developing the appliance required custom manufacturing for its glass and metal components. The company also sought to maintain a compact countertop design with a single control dial.

"We had to make the best coffee possible with no plastic on the interior with a full metal body, but also in a small (counter) footprint that had a single dial," Nathan told CNN.

Nathan linked growing consumer interest in plastic-free kitchen products to concerns about potential chemical exposure, including discussions surrounding black plastic kitchenware. He said Caraway's plastic-free cutting boards and other products had experienced significant sales growth over the previous three years.

He also explained why coffee equipment became a natural addition to the company's product range.

"you never want to heat plastic."

Demand for Caraway's 10-cup coffee maker has exceeded initial supply, leaving the product sold out until January and prompting the company to increase production. Keurig and Lavazza also experienced rapid sellouts following their respective product launches.

Nathan said the growing demand indicates that manufacturers must respond to changing expectations around materials and sustainability.

"If you’re not doing it, you’re behind where the puck is moving," Nathan told CNN.