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AROUND THE WORLD 2: A Coffee Warm-Up

As you enjoy copious amounts of Halloween candy and watch leaves changing to their autumn colors, you may notice that the weather is changing, too. Winter is on the way, so many people turn to soup or hot chocolate as a way to stay warm. Coffee, too, can help you stay warm--but not when it's in a cup!

A new invention known as the Java-Log was heralded by Time magazine as one of 2003’s coolest inventions, and now it's finally available in stores. The Java-Log is a log for the fireplace. What makes it so special? It's made from recycled coffee grounds!

Apparently, coffee burns hotter than wood. Although wood is the traditional fireplace material, it is harmful to the environment because it creates soot and releases carbon dioxide into the air. Burning a Java-Log, however, reduces soot by 50% and carbon monoxide by 85%. Thus, Java-Logs are an environmentally friendly way to warm up this winter.

In addition to burning cleaner and warmer than regular firewood, the environmental benefits of a Java-Log involve recycling. Every log is made from used coffee grounds, so the amount of coffee grounds in landfills lessens every day. Java-Logs not only reduce pollution and trash, they also create more enjoyable fires. Since coffee contains more oil than wood, the Java-Log flames reach higher with dancing flames. Moreover, these toasty logs are 100% natural, so the fire is also slightly aromatic.

--Written by Katheryn Troyer

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