6 Reasons Why Businesses Should Prioritise Ethical Coffee Choices

Why should your business prioritise ethical coffee choices?

Coffee is the world’s second most important commodity after oil, and over 98 million cups of coffee are consumed in the UK every day. For businesses, it can be a valuable tool for boosting employee morale and enhancing customer experiences. However, the coffee industry is plagued by issues such as environmental degradation, poor labour conditions, and the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides. As a result, sustainable businesses should consider the coffee they serve not only for its taste and quality, but also for its impact on the environment and society.

Here are 6 reasons why your business should prioritise ethical coffee choices:

1. Environmental Impact:

The coffee industry has a significant impact on the environment, from the growing and harvesting process to the transportation and packaging of the coffee beans. Sustainable businesses should consider the environmental impact of their coffee choices and look for coffee suppliers who are committed to reducing their carbon footprint and using eco-friendly practices.

2. Health and wellness:

The coffee that employees and customers drink can impact their health and wellness. Sustainable businesses should consider choosing coffee that is organic, Fair Trade certified, and free from harmful chemicals and pesticides.

3. Social responsibility:

The coffee industry is often associated with exploitation and poor working conditions for workers. Sustainable businesses should consider the social responsibility of their coffee choices and look for coffee suppliers who are committed to fair labor practices and worker empowerment.

4. Support local communities:

Sustainable businesses can support local communities by choosing coffee that is sourced from local suppliers and cooperatives, which can help to stimulate the local economy and create jobs.

5. Quality:

Sustainable businesses should consider the quality of the coffee they provide to their employees and customers. Choosing high-quality coffee can lead to a better taste experience and improved customer satisfaction.

6. Brand image:

The coffee that a business serves can reflect the brand image and values of the company. By choosing sustainable coffee, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, which can positively impact their brand image.

Owens Coffee: Producing responsibly sourced organic coffee since 2010

Our team is dedicated to monitoring and improving production processes in line with the latest industry advancements. We aim to minimise our impact on the environment and preserve the quality of our product.

We take responsibility for the sustainability of your coffee in the following ways:

Our 100% Recyclable Packaging

Our pouches take half the space of jars & tins, are more efficient to transport and 100% recyclable with carrier bags.

Low Impact Premises

Our Roastery was custom built using the latest technologies to be as energy efficient and as low impact as possible, including under-floor ambient heating (supplied by our air source heat pump), and low energy lighting.

Our Eco Roaster

Our roaster is probably THE most energy-efficient model on the planet. It is 80% more energy-efficient than traditional equipment, with less greenhouse gases in every roast.

Our 100% Organic Coffee

Shade grown coffee grown using organic methods is better for the environment and better for humans: there are no synthetic fertilizers or chemicals used in growing or production, organic farms can help combat climate change by emitting less carbon than a chemical farm, and they also sequester significant amounts of carbon. Organically grown coffee is rich in healthy antioxidants, and our producers benefit from fair trade agreements and better working conditions. It is a win/win for the planet, producers and for consumers, too!

Our Fairtrade Farmers

We are committed to working with the Fairtrade Foundation, whose work with farmers through training and education plays a vital role in managing businesses through climatic changes that occur in the future. Temperature increases of just a few degrees could push Arabica coffee production higher into the mountains and forested reserves. Without changes to farming practices there could be more vulnerability to pests and disease, unpredictable yields and higher coffee prices.

Our Waste

We use zero to landfill waste contractors and reuse/recycle where we can. Coffee grinds go to local allotments, pallets are collected for reuse, coffee sacks go to Dartmoor Zoo for animal enrichment, and are sold in our shop to raise money for the Air Ambulance and to be upcycled by our customers.

We are proud to have only ever sold 100% compostable takeaway cups since inception in 2010, which has reduced the waste sent to landfill by our customers.