Water Use
Washed processing uses a lot of water. Mechanical demucilaging and eco-pulpers reduce it.
Conventional washed processing uses roughly 40-100 liters of water per kilogram of green coffee. Most of this water is contaminated with fruit sugars and acids that, if released untreated, damage local waterways.
Better processing methods — mechanical demucilaging, eco-pulpers, and closed-loop water systems — cut water use by 80% or more. Some farms recycle water through biological filtration.
Look for roasters who name their processing partner and ask about water management. If the roaster can't say, the farm probably isn't using best practices.