Great Taste Without the Waste

Our paper hot cups are made with FSC certified paper, meeting the standards of the Forest Stewardship Council. Our paper products are sourced to have the lightest environmental impact possible. The paper:

• Is microwave and freezer safe
• Handles hot liquids up to 200°F
• Conforms to FDA guidelines
• Is fully compostable through commercial (1–3 months) and home (3–6 months) composting
• Is chlorine-free

For cold and room temperature drinks we use clear cups made from Poly Lactic Acid (PLA), a compostable, plant-based bioplastic derived from U.S. grown corn. Our compostable PLA hot cup lids use an enhanced-strength PLA built for hot drinks.

• Feels similar to conventional plastic
• Freezer safe
• Handles food and drinks up to 110°F
• BPI certified compostable in commercial facilities

All of our used coffee grounds and tea leaves are composted.

Our filters are made from unbleached, totally chlorine-free (TCF) paper, so no chlorine or chlorine derivatives end up in our lakes, rivers, and streams. A strong “never break” wave seam keeps them intact, and they don’t affect the taste of your coffee.

They’re also compostable, so our volunteers compost the grounds and filter together.

We’re always wide awake and ready to serve you, but our machines don’t need to be. Our coffee machines go to sleep when they’re not needed, which helps reduce our carbon emissions.

You’ll find recycling bins at The Freedom Café, so your recyclable waste makes its way to the recycling center.

We use Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning products, which are biodegradable, phosphate-free, and not tested on animals. They also smell and work great.