The Infinitely Reusable Coffee Capsule - WayCap Review

I always look forward to having my morning coffee. I love the taste and the calming ritual of making it — the fact that it also gives me energy is a bonus.

I’ve been using Nespresso capsules for years (Ristretto is my favourite!) without even realising that reusable capsules were an option. The good news is that Nespresso capsules are aluminium and are actually infinitely recyclable, but the closest recycling point to me is at a florist 12 minutes away (which I’d never pass on my normal route).

Still, if I make the switch to a reusable capsule using ground coffee I can cut out energy intensive manufacturing, packaging and recycling processes. It’s a small drop in the ocean, but it makes me feel a lot better about a daily routine.

There are several reusable coffee capsule brands out there, but the WayCap capsule piqued my interest the most.

“WayCap capsules are made entirely of stainless steel, so can be reused infinitely. Aside from the spent coffee grounds, they don’t produce any waste. Their environmental impact is also minimal at every stage of production - every part of the pod is manufactured in the immediate vicinity of the warehouse, and the packaging is made entirely of recycled materials.”

Source

WayCap is an infinitely reusable capsule that doesn’t use disposable lids that other brands use. While it sacrifices a little in brew quality, it makes up for by being the most sustainable option. Here’s a great post comparing the sustainability and performance of different brands.

What I like about WayCap:

• Easy to use. Comes with a tamper and dispenser that doubles as a capsule holder. Obviously it takes longer to fill a capsule with coffee then just dropping a Nespresso capsule into the machine but this doesn’t really bother me. My coffee routine is slower and more intentional, which is a perfect way to take a break after working for about 2 hours (I now drink coffee around 10 or 11am).

• Much cheaper than Nespresso capsules. The bag of Harris ground coffee I bought was $6 for 200g which works out to be roughly 40 capsules or $0.15 each (4-5g of coffee per capsule) while the Nespresso capsules I usually get is $0.69 per capsule. That amounts to almost $200 worth of savings each year! I’ve been using WayCap for almost a month and am only halfway through my ground coffee.

• Taste is dependent on several factors. I know that might not sound like a good thing, but I like the fact that I have control over my coffee. The taste largely depends on the coffee I use and the tamper pressure. I haven’t perfected my method yet, but it’s been fun experimenting.

What I don’t like about WayCap:

• The capsule is really hot after it’s used which makes it difficult to clean right away. I have to let it cool down before I can empty the coffee grounds and rinse out the capsule.

• The gasket on the lid doesn’t always stay put for me. Once the capsule goes through the machine, it either slips down the capsule or completely comes off in the machine. It’s easy to retrieve and put it back on, but it’s a bit of a hassle every time.

• The ground coffee gets stuck in the filter - even though I’m using one with the smallest holes. I can still use the capsule as normal without any issues, it’s just annoying to look at the filter and see some holes blocked. I’ll have to try soaking it in warm, soapy water and see if that helps.

A little bit of crema

There’s not much information on WayCap online, but there are a lot of negative reviews. Their first generation of capsules featured a snap-on lid which caused a lot of issues for people as it was prone to coming off in the machine (yikes) but their second generation, which I have now, works well — apart from the minor rubber seal issue.

So, what’s the verdict?

If you love coffee and you love sustainability - you’ll love using WayCap.

I’m glad I made the switch. I sacrificed a little convenience for a more sustainable, minimal waste solution. I will definitely keep using WayCap. I’m looking forward to trying different coffee brands and eventually work my way towards grinding coffee beans myself! I’m also trying to switch to long blacks instead of my usual cappuccinos and lattes but I’ll save that journey for another post…

Where can I get it?

Crema Joe is the best place to purchase a reusable coffee capsule. WayCap retails for $66 for a one pack and $98.90 for a two pack. While it’s a more ‘premium’ product with higher upfront cost than the other reusable capsules, there are no ongoing costs (except for the coffee) which makes it a more cost-effective option in the long run.

Note: it’s not compatible with every machine, so be sure to check if yours is compatible first!

J

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