If there is one summer routine I am not giving up, it is an iced coffee in the afternoon. It is one of life's small pleasures. But over the last year, I started paying closer attention to what actually comes with that drive-through cup, and it turns out the coffee is the cleanest part of the whole transaction. The cup, the receipt, the creamer, and the "flavors" all bring something extra along for the ride. The good news is that fixing it is easy, cheap, and honestly makes for a better cup of coffee. Here is what to know, and what to do instead.
QUIZ OF THE WEEK
Which part of your iced coffee run exposes you to a hormone-disrupting chemical that almost nobody thinks about?
A️. The ice
B️. The receipt
C️. The lid
D️. The straw
🤔 Think you know the answer?
👇 Scroll to the bottom of this week's newsletter to see if you got it right!
Did you catch my recent reel on why synthetic sponges are secretly polluting our oceans?
| A 2026 study found synthetic sponges shed hundreds of thousands of tons of microplastics into the ocean every year that end up in fish, and eventually back in us. Swap yours for a natural alternative, like a loofah. |
Non-Toxic Tip of the Week
What's Really In Your Iced Coffee (and the Easy Fix)
The coffee itself is rarely the problem. It is everything around it. Here is what to watch for, and what to do instead:
☐ The cup: Most to-go cups are plastic or plastic-lined paper, and research shows both shed tiny plastic particles, called microplastics, into your drink, cold coffee included. Bring a stainless steel, glass, or ceramic cup instead, since those do not shed.
☐ The receipt: Thermal receipts are usually coated with BPA or its cousin BPS, hormone-disrupting chemicals that sit loose on the surface and transfer to your skin on contact, and absorb even faster if you have just used hand sanitizer or lotion. Decline the paper receipt and take the digital one.
☐ The "natural flavors": This wholesome-sounding term on bottled iced coffees and canned cold brews is a broad catch-all that can hide a long list of additives you never actually see. When simple is the goal, it is worth skipping.
☐ The creamer: Many flavored creamers are built on seed oils like soybean and canola, plus added sugar and a list of gums and "flavors." Use real cream, whole milk, or a simple homemade version instead.
☐ The easy fix: Make it at home. Brew or cold-steep your coffee, pour it over ice in a glass or stainless cup, add real cream or a clean homemade creamer, and use a glass or metal straw. Two minutes, a fraction of the drive-through price, and a better cup.
I go deeper on all of this in my latest blog post, including how to spot a thermal receipt in two seconds and the bottled cold brews worth buying when you are in a pinch:
🔗 NON-TOXIC DAD MYSTERY LINK OF THE DAY 🔗
| Always something useful! Could be a handy non-toxic reference guide, a favorite product we are loving lately, a huge discount, a helpful health tool, or a link packed with resources you probably have not seen before. You never know what might show up.
Click to find out.
|
Recipe of the Week
The Best Homemade Vanilla Cold Brew
Once you make cold brew at home, the drive-through starts to feel like a downgrade. This one is smooth, never bitter, and skips the plastic cup, the mystery flavors, and the seed-oil creamer entirely.
You steep coarse coffee in cold water overnight, strain it, and pour it over ice in your favorite glass. Then comes the good part: a simple two-ingredient vanilla cream made with real cream and a touch of raw honey or maple, no gums and no "natural flavors" in sight. Make a batch of the coffee on Sunday and you are set for the week.
PET CORNER 🐾
Dirty dog bowls are having a bit of a moment online right now, and it turns out there is something to it. Bacteria can multiply fast in food and water bowls, especially plastic ones, so a quick daily rinse is not enough on its own. Here is a simple daily routine to keep bowls truly clean: dump out old food and water rather than just topping it off, scrub with hot water and a non-toxic dish soap using a brush or sponge kept just for pet bowls, rinse thoroughly so no soap residue remains, and let the bowl air-dry completely before refilling since bacteria thrive in leftover moisture. Stainless steel or glass bowls are the easiest to keep sanitary, since they are non-porous, unlike plastic. Small daily habit, much safer bowl.
None of this means you can never grab a coffee on the road again. It just means a few small swaps, a reusable cup, a declined receipt, a cleaner creamer- take almost no effort and add up fast when it is a daily habit. Little changes, repeated every day, are exactly the kind that stick. Thanks for being part of the Non-Toxic Dad community and for making the simple, practical choices that build a healthier home over time. See you next week, coffee in hand.
Most receipts are printed on thermal paper coated with BPA or BPS, hormone-disrupting chemicals that sit loose on the surface and transfer to your skin the instant you touch them. Research suggests they can be absorbed through the skin, and hand sanitizer or lotion can actually speed that up. Since you are often holding that receipt in the same hand as your coffee, it is an easy one to skip. Just ask for the digital receipt, or decline it altogether.
Thank you for taking the time to read this email. This message is part of an ongoing conversation between us, and I want to take a moment to ensure you have full transparency about why you received this message, how your information is handled, and what to expect from future emails. Why You’re Receiving This Email You’re receiving this email because at some point, you opted in to receive updates, news, or information on a specific topic we’ve previously discussed or shared. Whether it was through a subscription, a form submission, or another form of communication, your information was shared willingly, and we respect your decision to connect with us. If you’re wondering about the nature of our correspondence, rest assured that we aim to keep all emails relevant, timely, and from unnecessary clutter. This includes respecting your inbox and refraining from sending irrelevant messages. A Commitment to Non-Intrusive Emails We aim to create a non-intrusive communication experience. This means we won’t overwhelm your inbox with excessive messages, and we work hard to ensure our content remains clear and concise. The purpose of this email is to stay connected with you and provide updates or information that we believe is meaningful. If we ever fail to meet these standards, we encourage you to let us know. Feedback, whether positive or constructive, is always appreciated. Your thoughts help us understand how we can do better and improve our communication approach. While we cannot promise every suggestion will be implemented, we will take the time to carefully review and consider your input. Accessibility and Communication If you have any trouble accessing the unsubscribe page, managing preferences, or understanding why you’re receiving this email, you can reach out directly to our support team. We aim to provide a response within a reasonable time frame and address your concerns effectively. Our communication is designed to be as inclusive as possible, but we know there’s always room for improvement. If you have any feedback on how we can make our emails more accessible or relevant, please don’t hesitate to share. Your Privacy is Important We value your trust and take your privacy very seriously. The information you provide is securely stored and never shared, sold, or used outside the purpose for which you provided it. If you ever want to review how we handle your data, contact us directly. Transparency is our priority, and we’re happy to address any questions you might have. You are always in control of the information you share. If you feel that any part of your subscription or interaction needs clarification, let us know. We’re here to provide accurate answers and ensure your satisfaction. How to Unsubscribe or Manage Your Preferences We understand that everyone’s inbox is different. If you ever find our emails no longer relevant, there’s no hard feelings. You can easily manage your email preferences or unsubscribe using the link provided below. By clicking the unsubscribe link, you’ll be taken to a page where you can either adjust your communication preferences (such as receiving fewer emails or only on specific topics) or completely remove yourself from our list. The process is straightforward, and any changes will take effect promptly. We don’t use tricks or gimmicks to keep you subscribed. Our priority is to ensure that our emails add value to your day, and if they don’t, we respect your decision to part ways. Legal Information We comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding email communication. This includes adhering to laws and maintaining the highest standards for consent-based communication. Your trust matters, and we work diligently to ensure every email you receive meets these requirements. If you need further clarification on our compliance policies or legal obligations, please ask. Transparency and accountability are central to our communication strategy, and we’re happy to provide additional details if needed. Contact Information We strive to ensure all communication channels are open and readily available to you. Whether it’s a question, comment, or concern, our team is ready to assist. A Final Note Emails are one of the many ways we stay connected, but we understand they aren’t perfect for everyone. If there’s another way you’d prefer to communicate or stay updated, let us know. Whether it’s through social media, a direct call, or another channel, we’re open to finding the most effective way to share information with you. We want to emphasize that our goal is never to disrupt or clutter your inbox. Every email sent is intended to provide value, and we genuinely appreciate your time and attention. Thank you for allowing us to stay in touch with you. This footer was designed to ensure transparency, provide essential information, and give you full control over your communication preferences. We hope it meets your expectations, but if there’s anything you’d like to see improved, we’re always here to listen. Your interaction with our content, in any format, is appreciated. We value your time and the trust you place in our communications. Thank you for being an active member of our community, and we look forward to continued exchanges in the future. If you have missed our previous HTML emails, here is our privacy policy: This message is for those reading in plain text, which may indicate use of an older device. We want to share general information about how we manage privacy and data. We regularly review our systems and follow best practices to help protect your information. Please note, we do not ask for personal payment information by email. You can enable extra sign-in protection and use strong security to help keep your account safe. We collect information you voluntarily provide, such as your name, email address, or phone number. We may also collect technical data from your visit, including browser type, operating system, and your IP address. We use this information to respond to your inquiries, provide access to services, and improve our communications. We do not share your information with unrelated third parties. Some of our services may use third-party tools that store or process data on our behalf. These tools are selected with care and are expected to maintain data responsibly. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 years of age. If we discover that such information was provided without parental consent, we will delete it promptly. We may update this privacy policy occasionally. Changes will be reflected on our privacy policy page. Thank you for your attention. This message is for those reading in plain text, which may indicate use of an older device. We want to share general information about how we manage privacy and data. Thank you for taking the time to read this email. This message is part of an ongoing conversation between us, and I want to take a moment to ensure you have full transparency about why you received this message, how your information is handled, and what to expect from future emails. Why You’re Receiving This Email You’re receiving this email because at some point, you opted in to receive updates, news, or information on a specific topic we’ve previously discussed or shared. Whether it was through a subscription, a form submission, or another form of communication, your information was shared willingly, and we respect your decision to connect with us. If you’re wondering about the nature of our correspondence, rest assured that we aim to keep all emails relevant, timely, and from unnecessary clutter. This includes respecting your inbox and refraining from sending irrelevant messages. Your Privacy is Important We value your trust and take your privacy very seriously. The information you provide is securely stored and never shared, sold, or used outside the purpose for which you provided it. If you ever want to review how we handle your data, contact us directly. Transparency is our priority, and we’re happy to address any questions you might have. You are always in control of the information you share. If you feel that any part of your subscription or interaction needs clarification, let us know. We’re here to provide accurate answers and ensure your satisfaction. How to Unsubscribe or Manage Your Preferences
