Supplies You Need for Your Office Coffee Station

If Gilmore Girls taught us anything, coffee is more than just a drink; it's a lifeline, especially at work. (Without coffee, we are all Lorelai!) 

Gone are the days of sticking your corporate coffee machine in a dark closet and calling it a perk. Companies are taking notes from local coffee shops and creating office coffee stations where employees can brew their favorites from the classic Americano, customize their latte, and tap the keg for cold brew. 

To create that premium experience, you'll need good coffee for work, equipment, and supplies. We ran the numbers, and workplaces powered by Crafty spend 20% of the office pantry budget on coffee and another 7% on supplies. And don't worry, compostable supply units make up 53% of all kitchen and dining supplies units ordered across our clients. 🌱

1. Hot Coffee Cups

Crafty Pick: EcoChoice 12oz. Tree Print Compostable & Biodegradable Paper Hot Cup

The right cup is non-negotiable when serving up that perfect cup of hot coffee. You need a variety of sturdy, go-to hot cups that can handle everything from an 8 oz quick espresso, a 16 oz jumbo caffeine fix, or someone that falls in the middle (that's our pick at least). Think insulated or double-walled options to keep the heat where it belongs (in the coffee, not your hands). And while you're at it, don't forget to go green with recyclable or compostable choices—because a great coffee experience doesn't have to come at the planet's expense.

2. Lids

Crafty Pick: EcoChoice 8-24 oz Compostable & Biodegradable Paper Hot Cup Lids (Translucent)

No one wants lukewarm coffee, which is why lids are a must! Coffee lids maintain your coffee's intended temperature while preventing accidental spills. Just like your hot cups, these lids should also be compostable!

3. Cold Cups

Crafty Pick: Fabri-Kal Greenware 16 oz. Compostable Clear Cold Cup

Not everyone wants a steaming cup of coffee all year long—these days, it's iced coffee season every season. Cold drinks now make up 75% of Starbucks' U.S. beverage sales, with cold espresso drinks alone jumping 13% in the last year. And it's not just the coffee shops that are seeing this—brands like Keurig and Maxwell House are following suit with their iced-focused brews. Why? Gen Z is driving the shift, finding cold coffee more refreshing, flavorful, and, let's be real, a better photo opp. Cold cups are a must in any office coffee setup, and we recommend opting for the 16oz cup so your employees can enjoy their emotional support iced coffee.

4. Sleeves

Crafty Pick: Choice 10-24 oz Eco Printed Coffee Cup Sleeves

Remember that time when a company got sued because someone got burned by a coffee cup? Let that be a cautionary tale and not your reality! Nobody likes a scorched hand from grabbing a hot coffee too soon. That's where sleeves come in—providing that one extra barrier to ensure your employees can enjoy their coffee hot and hold it simultaneously. And for those in the back who skimmed this a bit too quickly, the beauty about coffee supplies in 2024 is that there are many options made out of recyclable materials, compostable or both! 

5. Straws

Crafty Pick: Eco-Products 7 3/4" Jumbo Clear Renewable and Compostable Wrapped Straw

Raise your hand if you love the turtles but also love your straw—you're not alone! Straws are essential to us year-round iced coffee drinkers. That's why we're all about compostable options that save the turtles without having to tank our office coffee experience. Researchers have found that compostable straws break down in ocean water within 8 to 20 months, and after 16 weeks in seawater, paper, CDA, and PHA, straws lose 25-50% of their initial weights. These findings are a promising sign as we seek to reduce marine pollution.

6. Wooden Stirrers 

Crafty Pick: Royal Paper 7.5" Eco-Friendly Biodegradable Wood Coffee Stirrer

This is a safe space, right? We've all been that coffee drinker who mixes their brew with their finger when we're in a bind. We're not judging, but we don't need this to be a regular thing. For one, ouch if it's hot coffee, plus it's gross. That's where wooden stirrers come to the rescue. They might seem like small details, but these little heroes save us from ourselves when we're mixing in sugar, creamer or milk. The ones we recommend are, of course…want to take a guess? Biodegradable!

7. Coffee Filters 

Crafty Pick: Bunn-o-Matic GOURMET Coffee Filters

Quality coffee filters are essential for achieving that perfect brew for all of you committed to your drip coffee game. We recommend choosing filters that align with your office coffee machine. Whether running a standard drip maker or a pour-over station, your filter is the key to a smooth, clean cup. If you're ever in doubt, don't hesitate to tap one of our experts for their recommendations!

8. Syrup Pumps

Crafty Pick: Monin Syrup Pump (750 mL)

Here's the deal: we are Monin stans over here at Crafty! They simply have some of our favorite syrups in the coffee game, and if you know anything about syrup, you know those pumps can often crystallize. We're playing with sugar, after all. That's why having some extras on hand is always key!

9. Gas Tank

Crafty Pick: Whatever your office keg requires! 

Do you love that smooth taste of cold brew, or are you just looking to switch to bulk? Then, you'll need to change your gas tank to keep things flowing periodically. The gas separates plain old coffee from cold brew to create that creamy texture and frothy finish. Regularly refill the proper tanks to maintain pressure and avoid interruptions to your coffee service. And hey, having a backup tank on hand is always a smart move to ensure you don't run dry during peak coffee hours!

10. Cleaning Supplies

Crafty Picks: What your office coffee machine requires! 

To keep your coffee station running like a well-oiled machine, regular cleaning is a must! Regular upkeep is the key to ensuring your coffee machine makes good coffee for your office today and for years to come. Here are the supplies you'll need: 

• Cleaning brushes: Brushes can reach and scrub different parts of the machine.
• Microfiber cloths: Use these soft, lint-free cloths to wipe down surfaces.
• Cleaning solutions or tablets: Remove coffee oils and residues from the machine's internal components. 
• Descaling solution: Remove mineral buildup and limescale from the internal parts of the coffee machine. 
• Water filters: Having spare water filters available to ensure that the water quality remains optimal.
• Picks and dental tools: These small tools can reach and clean tight spaces.
• Detergent or soap: Use mild detergent or soap to clean removable parts.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, your office coffee station needs more than just a great machine and the right coffee—you also need the right supplies to secure the ultimate drinking experience! Whether compostable cups make it easy to save the planet, straws save the turtles without completely falling apart, or wooden stirrers prevent those cringy finger mix-ups, every little detail matters. Load up your coffee bar with these essentials, and elevate your coffee game.