Simple Sustainable Fall Products in Fort Collins
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Time to read 4 min
Transform cozy autumn drinks into an eco-friendly ritual that feels as good as it tastes with these easy changes.
As the leave start turning and that cool mountain chill creeps in, there's nothing quite like wrapping your hands around a warm mug of your favorite fall beverage in the morning.
Whether you're team coffee or a classic tea person, we've got some fantastic news for you: making your hot drink routine more sustainable is easier than you think.
Today, we’ve got three simple swaps for you that'll make your tasty hot beverage both delicious and planet-friendly.
AND they’re not your typical “swap out those single-use capsules” advice. You’ve already done that, right??
Trust us, these changes are so easy, you'll wonder why you didn't make them sooner!
Table of Content
Sustainable Fall Beverage Swaps in Fort Collins
Make your cozy rituals feel even better
Swap #1: Ditch the Plastic Tea Bags for Loose Leaf Tea
Here's something that might surprise you (it certainly surprised us!): most tea bags are actually made with plastic or sealed using polypropylene.
Every time you steep that single-use tea bag, you're releasing microplastic particles into your drink. Uh, no thank you.
The simple fix: Switch to loose leaf tea! Not only will you avoid those microplastics, but loose leaf teas often taste richer and more complex than their bagged counterparts.
Plus a bonus your garden will love!
Spent loose leaf tea is completely compostable and actually beneficial for soil health. Most of those old tea bags can't be composted at home.
Pro tip: Invest in a good tea strainer or infuser. They're inexpensive, last for years, and make you feel like a proper tea connoisseur.
We offer an amazing blend of local flavors with our Happy Lucky Loose Leaf but you can also check out Happy Lucky’s Teahouse for a massive variety of loose leaf teas.
Swap #2: Choose Local Coffee Roasters Over Big Chains
We get it, sometimes that big chain on every corner has some creative fall flavors.
But local coffee roasters are sustainability champions.
They typically:
Build direct relationships with coffee growers, supporting fair trade and ethical wages
Choose shade-grown, organic, or Rainforest Alliance certified beans (which support 5x more wildlife species than conventional methods!)
Roast in smaller batches, meaning fresher coffee with less waste
Use more eco-friendly packaging and support local recycling initiatives
If that wasn’t enough, here's what really sold us on this swap: the community impact.
Up to 68% of the money you spend at independent coffee shops stays right in your local community, compared to just 14% at chain retailers. You're literally investing in your neighborhood with every cup!
Pro tip: Local roasters often educate customers about sustainability and coffee origins. You'll become a more informed coffee lover while supporting ethical practices.
Cedar and Sage is sister companies with Edwards House Inn, where we sell an exclusive blend from local roasters Lima Coffee. You can snag a bag straight from us or head into Lima to sniff around and pick your favorite.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
Swap #3: Bring Your Own Cup. It Makes a Difference!
This one might seem obvious, but the impact is so significant that it's worth talking about.
Those convenient disposable cups we grab without thinking (or worse, are forced to use because we forgot our reusable mug on the dish rack at home) are creating a massive problem.
The reality check: Over 100 million disposable cups are used every day in the United States alone.
Globally, we're talking about 500 billion single-use cups annually, and less than 1% of these actually get recycled due to their complex materials (hello, plastic lining that makes recycling nearly impossible).
The good news: Using a reusable tumbler is one of the simplest and most impactful sustainability swaps you can make.
The ocean connection: This swap also helps protect marine life. Plastic disposable cups and lids contribute to the death of over 100,000 sea mammals, turtles, and fish annually. Your reusable mug is literally a lifesaver for ocean ecosystems.
Pro tip: Keep a travel mug in your car, another at your office, and maybe a cute ceramic one at home. Do’nt buy more than you need but having options makes the habit stick.
Scientists estimate that after 20-100 uses, your reusable cup has offset the greenhouse gas emissions of single-use cups. After that is reducing your carbon footprint with every use.
Dishwasher Safe Hand-Glazed Ceramic To-Go Mugs
“We don’t have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.”
Making These Swaps Work for You
Progress over perfection! Start with one that feels easiest for you.
Each small change adds up to something bigger.
Wen you do, you're reducing waste, supporting ethical practices, strengthening your local community, and often enjoying better quality products in the process.
Plus, there's something deeply satisfying about knowing your favorite fall beverage ritual is aligned with your values.
Ready to make the switch? Try implementing one swap this week, then add another when the first becomes second nature. Your taste buds, your community, and the planet will thank you.
What's your favorite fall beverage? Have you tried any of these sustainable swaps? I'd love to hear about your experience in the comments below!
Looking for more sustainable seasonal swaps? Check out more in our online store or in person at 402 W Mountain Avenue, Fort Collins CO.