Plastic Reduction
Reusable Cups
We grew our existing partnership with KeepCup in June 2018 to ensure reusable cups are available in every single store. KeepCups are manufactured and assembled in the UK, so we’re thinking global, but acting local.
We also encourage the use of reusable cups by offering 10 cents off all barista handcrafted drinks.
Waste Reduction
Paper Cup Recovery
Responsible management of paper cups is very important to us, and we will continue to work with our waste service providers, our customers, and others in our industry to ensure the proactive focus on the issue is maintained. We are passionate about the environment and are founders of the PCRRG (The Paper Cup Recovery and Recycling Group) set up in 2014.
This is a cross industry group that actively works across the paper cup supply chain to increase the rates of capture and recycling of paper goods.
Plastic Reduction
Biodegradable Straws
As part of our commitment to reduce single use plastics, in June 2018, we replaced plastic straws with marine biodegradable straws in all of our US, UK and Irish coffee houses.
This will remove at least 7 million plastic straws a year from entering waste streams.
Recycling
Used Coffee Grounds
Since 2016 we’ve been collecting our used coffee grounds from 122 stores in London for processing into fuels which power biomass boilers.
We are hoping to launch this in the United States in the near future.
Ethical Working
Sustainable Sourcing
From the beginning, we have embraced the values of fairness, decency, warmth, and kindness in the pursuit of excellence. Our approach to coffee sourcing is no different.
If we are to continue to create excellent coffee, we need to ensure our farmers are fairly rewarded. We owe our reputation to sourcing high quality beans, and we pay premium prices for those beans.
The vast majority of the beans in our unique blend are sourced from identifiable and traceable sources, and we are working hard to ensure we purchase every bean this way.
We also work with the Rainforest Alliance on sourcing our beans from certified farms and on encouraging sustainable livelihoods for farmers and their families, taking responsibility not just for great coffee, but supporting communities and the environment where our coffee is grown.
Ethical Working
Modern Slavery
In response to the Modern Slavery Act, we engaged with an external consultant to better understand our potential exposure to modern slavery risks in our direct business and supply chain. For each business area, we reviewed factors such as recruitment practices, working conditions, and geographical location.
We are using this information to determine and prioritize practical and robust actions that ensure we always operate in an ethical manner.
Product Improvements
Fat, Salt, and Sugar Reduction
Our development team constantly reacts and adapts, looking to where we can reduce salt, fat, sugar, or offer alternative products in response to allergies and the valuable feedback of our customers.
We are committed to all eggs used in our products to be 100% cage free by 2026, and already have achieved this in many products.
