From KBJR - TV - August 5, 2019

Reusing over recycling. That’s what a local coffee shop here in Grand Marais is trying to accomplish each time a customer order’s a drink or meal.

Java Moose states while recycling is important, being able to reuse cups, lids, and plastic utensils help keep plastic out of our local landfills and waters.

Java Moose in its 20th year serves hot and cold beverages such as coffee and tea along with sandwiches and snack items.

The coffee stop offers eco-friendly recyclable water cups, compostable utensils, and recently added a sip-through-lid for cold drinks as an alternative to plastic straws. If a customer requests a straw… they also offer compostable options.

Manger of Java Moose, Sarah Hallberg says, “We have a lot of visitors that are coming through every day and maybe they don’t know that straws can be compostable or spoons can be compostable. So if we can make that touch point with a couple of people coming through, maybe they will make that change in their homes or in their business.”

The business also gives away it’s used coffee grounds to be used in gardens in the community, on top of workers used non-bleach and organic-local products.

Hallberg says while they aren’t making huge gestures towards sustainability, they hope to still make an impact.

“We know that we can’t change everything tomorrow but we can definitely change things little by little to make that bigger impact.”

Java Moose also sells a variety of reusable cups and mugs in the shop.

For a cup of jo, you can stop in daily 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To see a video version of this report and read related reporting, follow this link to the KJBR-TV website.   https://kbjr6.com/news/top-stories/2019/08/01/your-green-life-java-moose-strives-to-make-bigger-impa...