Sustainability

We're a young company only just starting out on our coffee journey but I am determined to build sustainability into the core of the business. Below are the areas where we have made progress as well as our ambitions. We are not perfect by any stretch but we're focused on doing the right thing, being as informed as possible and pushing for improvements.

 

What have we focused on so far?

  • 100% Recyclable Packaging:

All of our packaging is a mono-material of LDPE, and is fully recyclable (#4). These bags do a great job at keeping your coffee as fresh as possible. LDPE 4 is recycled at kerb-side (check with your local council) as well as at supermarkets with shopping bags. We are always on the look out for better solutions, particularly those that don't use plastic and can be composted and will look to change to even more environmentally friendly packaging as soon as we think a suitable alternative, that doesn't compromise the quality of the product, exists.

  • Air Roasting:

Air roasting means that hot air is used to achieve the perfect roast levels. Air roasters have a chamber for heating the beans and a separate cooling chamber. This means that rather than going through a heating and cooling cycle like a traditional drum roaster, wasting energy, air roasters can roast multiple batches whilst maintaining heat. Exhaust gases are passed through a catalytic converter and then used to heat the roastery. This means improved consistency (air roasting doesn't scorch beans in the same way contact with a drum roaster can), and a reduced carbon footprint.

  • Rainforest Alliance Certifications:

 We currently have two of our products RFA certified with plans to increase this across the range or substitute this for direct trade and specific initiatives on a farm or co-op level.

  • Chemical-Free Decaf Coffee:

Our Mexican Decaf is decaffeinated using the Mexican Mountain Water process, that means that fresh mountain water is passed over the beans, picking up the soluble caffeine in the process, this preserves the flavour without using harsh solvents.

  • Carbon Footprint Analysis:
Take a look at our carbon foot print analysis here, taking into account the farming, picking and transportation of green coffee, importation, packaging, as well as roasting, posting, brewing and then ultimately disposal of the coffee. This has helped us find hotspots for improvement as well as set a bench mark.  
  • Always shipped:

All our coffee is shipped not flown, it's a slow but more sustainable approach to importing coffee from around the world.

  • Mossy Earth

Through donations we support Mossy Earth - who have a number of rewilding projects all over the world. In particularly they are working to improve riparian habitats on the River Chew  - just down the road. They have a brilliant youtube channel show-casing all the great work they do. 

I hope to raise more funds for them and join them volunteering. Use my code if you also decide to support them: BOB59G0BAC

 

What are our ambitions?

  • Direct Trade:
In particularly focusing on coffee farms that are leading the way with sustainable coffee. Shade grown coffee is a main target, this is where coffee is grown under the canopy of native trees, providing increase biodiversity, as well as improved incomes for farmers by adding additional revenue streams. We are also looking to partner with farms and co-ops that are minimising their fertiliser usage. Take a look at our carbon footprint analysis to see the hotspot areas for carbon reduction within coffee.
  • Increase renewables within roasting 
We aim to move all our roasting over to 100% electric and 100% renewable based electric.
  • B Corp and Net Zero Certifications:
Both are on our radar for the start of year two of trading.
  • Charity Partnerships:
Our ambition is to work with charities fund raising for specific projects so that we can have a tangible impact on ecological projects and livelihoods.
  • Impact Report:
Published annually showing wins and losses, holding ourselves to account and focusing efforts on doing good.

    Please contact me if you have any questions, thoughts or suggestions. 

     

    Bobby