Cities raise concerns over processing compostable coffee pods
TORONTO — Compostable coffee pods may be increasingly available on store shelves but some Canadian cities, including Toronto, say their waste systems aren’t yet able to process biodegradable versions of the popular single-serve java products.
The pods and their environmental impact went under the spotlight this week as a Progressive Conservative politician in Ontario introduced a private member’s bill that would, if passed, make it illegal to sell the products unless they are fully compostable. Retailers would get four years to take non-compostable pods off the market.
The province’s Liberal government has said it is open to reviewing Norm Miller’s proposed legislation, although private member’s bills seldom become law.
But despite the push for compostable versions of the product, some large municipal waste programs in Ontario say they have yet to approve eco-friendly coffee pods for their curbside composting programs.