Demographics
Interviewer – Molly Scherer
Name - Brooke Gephart
Age - 21
Job - Student
Location – Columbus, OH
Coffee drinker? - Yes
K-Cup Use
Do you use K-cups? Why or why not? – used to because they were convenient and easy to use, but then roommate purchased a reusable k cup. She likes this better because its cheaper to buy coffee grounds than k cups and its better for the environment
If yes, please explain the process of using the product. – N/A
How often do you buy k-cups? - N/A
How often do you use k-cups? – N/A
Have you explored other methods for brewing coffee? Talk to me about your experiences. If not, why haven’t you? Would you be interested in exploring other options? – yes, has also tried drip coffee but it isn’t practical in a college house because all have different coffee preferences. The reusable cup is great, but it is a lot more time consuming.
Please talk to me about your perspective of the environmental impact of k-cups. – They are not good for the environment because no one knows how to recycle k cups and even if they do they don’t want to take the time to do it. So they end up thrown away
What is most appealing about k-cups? Least? – most appealing is convenience, least appealing is environmental impact
How do you dispose of your used k-cups? Why? – sometimes took the time to wash it out and break them down into parts, but for the most part was too lazy and just threw them away
Recycling Habits
Do you recycle? Why or why not? – yes, because its irresponsible not to, the earth needs recycling
Are you familiar with what can and can’t be recycled? Have you taken steps to learn about what can and can’t be recycled? Why or why not? – yes because know its important to recycle. Planet will only get worse if we do not
Do you clean your recycles before placing them in the bin? Why or why not? – yes, because know if she doesn’t clean them they will not get recycled
Do you separate your recycles? Why or why not? – no, she puts them all into a recycling bin and takes them to a recycling “dumpster”
In your opinion, are k-cups recyclable? – no because no one takes the time to sufficiently clean them so they end up going to landfills. Even if they do take the time every so often, that’s only a small portion of the total plastic used by k cups.