A Guest Post from Ben at Eco-Friendly Coffee
Coffee is a popular drink enjoyed by millions around the world. Choosing an eco-friendly coffee brand can help reduce your carbon footprint while supporting the farmers and local communities that are often negatively affected by the coffee industry.
To help you make the right decision when selecting a coffee brand, this guide will cover the most important aspects of choosing a sustainable coffee brand – from certifications to other sustainable practices you should be aware of.
Can’t read it now? Pin it for later!
How to choose an eco-friendly coffee brand
Choosing an eco-friendly coffee brand can be confusing. There is lots of information to consider, especially with the unfortunate tactics of “greenwashing” by some coffee suppliers. Don’t let this put you off, there are some excellent resources available to help you choose an eco-friendly coffee product that meets your needs.
Here are a few tips to help you choose the best option for what matters most to you.
First, check what environmental certifications the coffee beans hold. Organic, Bird Friendly and Rain Forest Alliance are common examples of coffee that has met set criteria for a range of environmental standards.
Next, look at the company’s purchasing policies. Fair trade practices either certified through the FairTrade label organized on an individual basis ensuring that the coffee farmers are paid a fair price for their crop
Is the packaging sustainable? Some companies only use recycled materials and others have specific green packaging requirements. It’s always better to employ reusable materials where possible.
Finally, consider how much energy the coffee production process uses. Does the brand mitigate its energy consumption? This can be through renewable energy or a carbon-neutral incentive.
What does it mean to be an eco-coffee brand?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the definition of “eco-friendly” will vary depending on the company or product in question.
However, there are some key principles that all eco-coffee brands should adhere to if they want to be considered environmentally friendly. These principles include promoting sustainable farming practices (such as water and waste management), maintaining a high level of worker rights and a liveable wage, and ensuring that their products are packaged in ways that reduce waste.
The principles that should be adhered to by an eco coffee brand are social responsibility and environmental responsibility.
Social responsibility means that the company helps to improve the lives of people who are vulnerable or who have been marginalized especially on smaller farms where workers are the most at risk.
Environmental responsibility means that the company takes measures to protect the