The coffee industry faces a significant challenge in rethinking its ecological impact and driving transformative changes toward sustainable solutions.
In this context, eco-friendly companies and solutions are essential in shaping a more responsible future. Additionally to the growing climate challenges, customers are increasingly concerned about the sustainability practices of the brands they choose.
Thus, conscious approaches are gaining traction in the coffee industry, enforced by the B Corp certification. But how are coffee businesses taking greater responsibility for implementing sustainable solutions?
Keep reading this article to understand more and discover how Five Senses, Hasbean Coffee, Minor Figures, and Marco Beverage Systems are embracing sustainability.
Why Embracing Sustainable Solutions is Crucial for the Coffee Industry
According to the International Coffee Organization, approximately 600 billion paper and plastic cups are used worldwide yearly. In the United States alone, an estimated 50 billion paper coffee cups with lids are discarded annually.
As we embark on a journey to explore the synergy between coffee and sustainability, we focus on the measures that conscious consumers and forward-thinking companies can take to minimize their carbon footprint and address other pressing issues.
To ensure the business follows sustainable measurements, B Corp, short for Benefit Corporation, is a distinctive certification that recognizes companies dedicated to environmental values and social responsibility. Let’s learn more about it.
What is B Corp?
B Corp certification seeks to highlight companies that align with environmental values. To achieve this, the B Impact Assessment investigates five areas of a business’s impact:
- Governance
- Workers
- Community
- Environment
- Customers
How to Become a B Corp Company?
To obtain certification, every aspiring B Corp company must provide documentation on its practices, procedures, and policies in each impact area. Each response is measured and awarded points towards the minimum goal of 80 points.
Certified B Corporations are a new generation of companies that balance profit with purpose. They are committed to prioritizing the environment and society in their business operations.
Which B Corp-certified Companies Are Driving the Revolution?
Five Senses
Five Senses is an Australian roaster and supplier of specialty coffees known for sourcing, roasting, and distributing high-quality coffee beans. They are dedicated to providing a premium coffee experience to cafes, coffee shops, and consumers.
Recently, Five Senses Coffee received a score of 101.7, placing them at the top of the global B Corp companies. This means they provide delicious coffee with a standard worthy of social and environmental excellence. Being a certified B Corp company means Five Senses positively impacts people, places, products, and the planet.
Hasbean Coffee
Hasbean Coffee is a UK-based roaster and supplier of specialty coffees known for its commitment to sourcing and roasting high-quality coffee beans, often focusing on single-origin coffees.
Moreover, Hasbean Coffee has a strong reputation in the specialty coffee community for its dedication to transparency in the coffee supply chain, emphasizing direct relationships with coffee producers and ethical sourcing practices.
For Hasbean Coffee, becoming a B Corp Company is a significant milestone in their sustainability journey and a commitment to ongoing support for shared livelihoods and coffee.
Minor Figures
The coffee industry acknowledges that non-dairy milk is more sustainable than regular milk. However, it’s essential to note that each non-dairy alternative has a different environmental impact.
Minor Figures is a beverage company known for its plant-based products, primarily oat milk and cold brew coffee. Based in the UK, Minor Figures has gained popularity for its commitment to providing vegan and dairy-free alternatives for coffee and other beverages.
Their oat milk is popular among baristas and coffee enthusiasts due to its creamy texture and excellent foaming ability, making it a suitable alternative to traditional dairy milk in coffee preparations.
Based on the B Impact Assessment, Minor Figures achieved an overall score of 81.8. The average score for typical companies completing the assessment is currently 50.9.
Sustainable Solutions In The Coffee Industry
Marco Beverage Systems is also committed to change. Our solutions have long considered their environmental and climate impact. We have been working to ensure that they meet high eco-friendly standards.
To start with, Marco FRIIA is an environmentally conscious choice for commercial environments like cafes, catering sites, and restaurants.
FRIIA helps minimize energy consumption during operation through energy efficiency, reducing the overall carbon footprint. Its system ensures precise temperature control and flow regulation, reducing water waste during workflow.
The sleek design of FRIIA was chosen with sustainability in mind. This may include recyclable components and materials with a lower environmental impact. Also, this solution helps to reduce single plastic.
Marco MIX is a sustainable hot water boiler for various commercial applications, such as cafes, restaurants, and offices. Its system primarily provides precise and consistent hot water for coffee and tea preparation and other beverages or soups.
Its main sustainability feature is energy efficiency. MIX is designed to be energy-efficient, up to 70% more than leading competitors. It minimizes heat loss and reduces energy consumption during the heating process.
MIX precise temperature control also ensures that only the necessary energy is used to maintain the desired water temperature, which is crucial for coffee or tea preparation.
This hot water system combines precision and sustainability, making it a popular choice for businesses looking to reduce energy consumption and minimize their environmental footprint while consistently delivering hot water for beverage preparation.
How To Approach Sustainable Ideas For The Coffee Industry
But is this a challenging process? What can help is identifying ways to engage with sustainability. Below, you’ll find some tips on what’s essential to consider in this process:
Source Coffee Responsibly: Opt for sustainable coffee beans that use environmentally friendly methods and suitable production means. By sourcing coffee from farms that advocate ethical and sustainable practices, you promote environmental conservation and support local communities.
Recycling Programs: Encourage customers to bring their reusable cups by offering discounts or other incentives. This can significantly reduce the amount of waste generated by disposable cups. Additionally, promote recycling and consider implementing recycling programs in your establishment or coffee shop.
Educate Customers: Share information about your sustainable practices with your customers. This can raise awareness about the importance of sustainability and encourage more people to make eco-friendly choices.
Support Sustainable Organizations: Look for ways to support sustainable organizations working to improve coffee growers’ environment and lives.
Trust in the Right Equipment: Marco FRIIA or Marco MIX hot water systems combine precision and sustainability, making them a popular choice for businesses looking to reduce energy consumption and minimize their environmental footprint while optimizing workflow consistently for beverage preparation.
Embracing sustainability is a fundamental step towards a more responsible and environmentally friendly coffee industry. By taking these steps, you can contribute to a brighter, more sustainable future for coffee production and consumption.
To sum up
In conclusion, as we navigate the path toward a more sustainable future in the coffee industry, it becomes evident that eco-conscious practices and B Corp certification are essential drivers of positive change.
From coffee producers like Five Senses and Hasbean to beverage companies like Minor Figures and innovative equipment solutions offered by Marco Beverage Systems, there is a collective commitment to reducing our environmental footprint while enhancing the quality of our coffee experiences.
Embracing sustainability, whether through responsible sourcing, reusable cup initiatives, customer education, or eco-friendly equipment choices, is not just a choice; it’s an imperative step in shaping a more eco-friendly and socially conscious coffee landscape.
Contact our sales team to learn more about our solutions and continue to follow our news to see how we are brewing a brighter, more sustainable future, one cup at a time.