Featured by The Times newspaper as one of five “game changing coffee brands” due to our relentless focus on sustainability which led to us being the first known UK company to offer freshly roasted coffee (wholebean and ground) in glass packaging.
the end of “Wish-cycling”
We made the decision to switch to glass packaging after finding out that our initial purchase of “fully recyclable” plastic pouches were actually only recyclable when returned to key points such as in supermarkets. these pouches can result in a lot of “wish-cycling”, where people attempt to recycle items that are not suitable for home recycling through mis-information on packaging and naivety, this can sometimes void the entire bin’s worth of recyclables.
We were determined to find a solution… enter glassware! A clean natural product, which is fully recyclable, usually made from previously recycled glass, non-toxic to the earth (if it finally ends up in landfill) and more importantly, easily reusable.
Naturally, the labels are printed on 100% recycled paper (from the sustainable print company in Cranbrook who are just down the road from us) which are also fully recyclable and doesn’t use horrible non-recyclable plastic-backing like the stickers we initially used.
FOR ONLINE ORDERS, WE ALSO RE-USE ANY PACKAGING THAT COMES THOUGH THE ROASTERY. WE HAVE INVESTED IN A BEAST OF A SHREDDER TO BLITZ EVERY LAST BIT CARBOARD WE CAN GET OUR HANDS ON! WHICH MEANS ALMOST EVERYTHING IN THE BOX IS RECYCLED AND RECYLABLE!
Freshness freshness freshness
Glass IS a wonderful solution. However, coffee releases CO2 over time and is affected by Oxidization, both of which CAN substantially taint the flavour and subsequently, it needs a one-way valve.
Through rigorous research and development, we found valves containing 90% less plastic than those found in traditional coffee packaging, which is affixed to the lid to ensure maximum freshness.
Plastic made from wood!?
Although we had found a solution for fully recyclable packaging, we had also designed a re-usable and rather aesthetically pleasing container which customers will want to keep and we would then need to fill up with our delicious coffee!
Again, after much R & D, whilst reading books such as “Turning the Tide on Plastic” by Lucy Siegle, we found pouches made from home-compostable cellulose derived from renewable wood pulp, they are MADE IN THE uk, accredited biodegradable and home-compostable to ‘bs en 13432’ and ‘ok compost’ as well as approved for anaerobic digestion (iso 15985) and marine biodegradation (astm d6691-09). in laymen’s terms : theY HAVE THE highest grade of compostability that we could find!
This means that you can bung it in your compost heap at home, put it in the commercial composting bin or if it does end up in landfill, given enough oxygen, it will biodegrade and will be far less toxic to the earth than petroleum-based plastics.
Direct trade, traceability and eco-decaf
Our focus on sustainable speciality coffee ensures not only great tasting produce, but quality agricultural practices, well paid farmers and an efficient, quality focused supply chain before arriving at the roastery.
For full traceability, our customers can find details on our single origin farms, where the coffee cherries are grown, how they are processed and origin photos, which is all accessible via a qr-qode on the label.
Our mainstay coffee “earlybird” is directly traded with cal and his family from the bom jesus farm in brazil. Medium roasted, this bean produces notes of milk chocolate and hazelnut with a smooth caramel sweetness and a light citric acidity, which is a everyday year-round favourite!
Most of our coffees are naturally processed which means the coffee cherries are sun-dried after they are picked. The subsequent fermentation process develops a delightful natural increase in sweetness and body in the final cup. This process is considered the most environmentally friendly method as it negates having to use a huge amount of water required with the more popular “washed” method, which can involve sending a mass amount of toxic wastewater into the surrounding area.
“freebird” our colombian decaf uses the sugar cane method which is 100% natural and one of the only methods to be processed at source in colombia (as opposed to being shipped to the uk before then being sent off for decaffeination) which means a lower carbon footprint and also fresher coffee due to the speed at which it gets from the farm to the roastery.
Moving forwards
We are constantly on the look out for the most sustainable way of sourcing, roasting and packing our coffee! if you have any suggestions for us our ears are open and we are very willing to change course at any stage to assure we are genuinely doing the right thing and not just paying lip service to issues that are truly dear to us and the wider speciality coffee community.