However, over the last three years, while we’ve been trying to create a Spiller & Tait capsule, we’ve learned quite a lot about the pros and cons of this method of making coffee, including some of the sustainable benefits of certain types of capsules. As a coffee making method, we were surprised to learn that, compared to other methods, capsules offer a relatively sustainable approach. To understand the full environmental impact of coffee making, it’s important to conduct a life-cycle assessment for the full range of coffee making methods. Alf Hill, Professor of Chemical Engineering at The University of Bath, has studied all the stages of coffee production, from growing the beans to disposal of waste, assessing the impact on ecosystems, climate change and water.