Posted on: NOV 13, 2024
Posted by: STOKES COFFEE
Stokes are on their way to becoming B-Corp coffee roasters. With their sustainable coffee and eco-friendly practices, they’re paving the way to a better tomorrow. While much work is going on in the background to ensure Stokes is on track to receive its B-Corp accreditations, some things just come naturally to Stokes.
Sustainability is at the forefront of everything Stokes does. Since day one, Stokes has been pushing to do its bit for the planet. Diary entries from David Peel, grandson of founder Robert Stokes and inventor of the well-loved Blue Mountain Blend, showcase that he had big ideas on the sustainable ways in which he wanted Stokes to be run.
Robert’s great-grandson, Nick Peel, who is the current MD and the fourth generation to take the helm of the Stokes Tea & Coffee Company, ensures he is carrying on his family's eco-friendly legacy, with a B-Corp certification on the horizon to prove it.
Here are ten things they do to be sustainable:
①
Their commitment to transparent business practices through striving to become a Bcorp business measures their entire social and environmental performance. From supply chain and input materials to charitable giving and employee benefits, B Corp Certification verifies that a business is meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
②
Stokes Coffee was one of the first wholesale roasters to offer an innovative Wholesale Coffee and Tea Bucket Scheme that helps reduce packaging waste and support sustainability. In the first half of 2024, they saved 1650 boxes using their bucket scheme. Partners who receive their coffee or tea in these reusable buckets can send them back for refills, allowing the team to clean and reuse the containers.
This circular approach significantly reduces the need for single-use packaging, preventing large amounts of waste from ending up in landfills. By participating in this scheme, partners not only enjoy fresh, high-quality products but also contribute to an eco-friendly initiative that aligns with their values of sustainability and reducing environmental impact.
This circular approach significantly reduces the need for single-use packaging, preventing large amounts of waste from ending up in landfills. By participating in this scheme, partners not only enjoy fresh, high-quality products but also contribute to an eco-friendly initiative that aligns with their values of sustainability and reducing environmental impact.
③
They are deeply committed to ethical sourcing and to ensuring fair working conditions for everyone involved in their supply chain, from the UK team to farmers and suppliers worldwide.
By partnering with companies that maintain direct relationships with coffee farmers, they can guarantee transparency and fairness in their practices. One key partnership was with a farm in Brazil, renowned for being one of the most sustainable in the world.
This approach allows Stokes to track how its investments benefit local communities. It supports essential services like hospitals and schools for farmers and their families and promotes social well-being alongside quality coffee and tea production.
By partnering with companies that maintain direct relationships with coffee farmers, they can guarantee transparency and fairness in their practices. One key partnership was with a farm in Brazil, renowned for being one of the most sustainable in the world.
This approach allows Stokes to track how its investments benefit local communities. It supports essential services like hospitals and schools for farmers and their families and promotes social well-being alongside quality coffee and tea production.
④
They roast their beans using an eco-friendly coffee roaster that reduces emissions by 80%. This state-of-the-art roaster is a key part of our commitment to sustainability, allowing us to create delicious, high-quality coffee while minimising our environmental impact.
By reducing energy consumption and emissions during the roasting process, they’re able to produce their signature blends with a smaller carbon footprint, ensuring that every cup you enjoy is not only expertly crafted but also kinder to the planet.
By reducing energy consumption and emissions during the roasting process, they’re able to produce their signature blends with a smaller carbon footprint, ensuring that every cup you enjoy is not only expertly crafted but also kinder to the planet.
⑤
Stokes Coffee commissioned a striking life-sized sculpture of a killer whale, affectionately named Lulu, to raise awareness for water aid. It is displayed at The Lawn Café.
Lulu is not just an impressive work of art but also a symbol of sustainability. It is crafted entirely from recycled materials, such as old car bumpers and coffee machine parts.
Suspended from the café’s rafters, she greets visitors with a reminder of Stokes’ commitment to reducing waste and repurposing materials. Lulu embodies the brand’s dedication to creativity and environmental responsibility, making her a unique and inspiring part of the café experience.
Lulu is not just an impressive work of art but also a symbol of sustainability. It is crafted entirely from recycled materials, such as old car bumpers and coffee machine parts.
Suspended from the café’s rafters, she greets visitors with a reminder of Stokes’ commitment to reducing waste and repurposing materials. Lulu embodies the brand’s dedication to creativity and environmental responsibility, making her a unique and inspiring part of the café experience.
⑥
Stokes takes an eco-friendly approach by repurposing coffee sacks to upholster chairs in their cafés and training centre. These burlap sacks, originally used to transport coffee beans, are creatively transformed into stylish and sustainable upholstery, giving the spaces a rustic, artisanal charm.
This initiative reduces waste and emphasises the brand’s commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing. By reusing materials integral to its coffee-making process, Stokes Coffee adds a unique touch while reinforcing its dedication to environmental consciousness.
This initiative reduces waste and emphasises the brand’s commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing. By reusing materials integral to its coffee-making process, Stokes Coffee adds a unique touch while reinforcing its dedication to environmental consciousness.
⑦
They are proud to support the Huskee Cup initiative. Huskee cups are designed to be reusable and made from coffee husks—an environmentally friendly byproduct of the coffee industry.
By offering Huskee Cups in their stores, they encourage customers to reduce single-use waste while enjoying their coffee on the go. Additionally, they participate in Huskee's Swap Scheme, where customers can exchange their used cups for fresh, clean ones, further promoting a circular economy and reducing the environmental impact. Together, they’re making strides towards a more sustainable future, one cup at a time.
By offering Huskee Cups in their stores, they encourage customers to reduce single-use waste while enjoying their coffee on the go. Additionally, they participate in Huskee's Swap Scheme, where customers can exchange their used cups for fresh, clean ones, further promoting a circular economy and reducing the environmental impact. Together, they’re making strides towards a more sustainable future, one cup at a time.
⑧
They roast their beans using an eco-friendly coffee roaster designed to reduce emissions by 80%. This state-of-the-art roaster is a key part of their commitment to sustainability, allowing them to create delicious, high-quality coffee while minimising their environmental impact.
By reducing energy consumption and emissions during the roasting process, they’re able to produce their signature blends with a smaller carbon footprint, ensuring that every cup you enjoy is not only expertly crafted but also kinder to the planet.
By reducing energy consumption and emissions during the roasting process, they’re able to produce their signature blends with a smaller carbon footprint, ensuring that every cup you enjoy is not only expertly crafted but also kinder to the planet.
⑨
Energy-saving lighting and equipment are in all locations, including cafés, the warehouse, and the training centre.
By installing LED lights and energy-efficient appliances, Stokes significantly reduces its electricity consumption and carbon footprint. This eco-conscious approach helps conserve energy without compromising on the quality of service or ambience.
Whether brewing coffee, lighting up spaces, or powering equipment, they make every effort to minimise energy usage, further supporting their dedication to environmental responsibility and sustainable business practices.
By installing LED lights and energy-efficient appliances, Stokes significantly reduces its electricity consumption and carbon footprint. This eco-conscious approach helps conserve energy without compromising on the quality of service or ambience.
Whether brewing coffee, lighting up spaces, or powering equipment, they make every effort to minimise energy usage, further supporting their dedication to environmental responsibility and sustainable business practices.
⑩
They take energy efficiency seriously, investing in smart heating systems that optimise energy use, even in their heritage buildings. These systems allow precise heating control, ensuring comfort while minimising waste.
Additionally, Stokes actively shares best practices for energy-saving methods with other organisations, helping them overcome the unique challenges of conserving energy in historic properties.
By combining modern technology with a collaborative approach, Stokes not only reduces its own environmental impact but also contributes to a broader movement towards sustainable building management across the community.
Additionally, Stokes actively shares best practices for energy-saving methods with other organisations, helping them overcome the unique challenges of conserving energy in historic properties.
By combining modern technology with a collaborative approach, Stokes not only reduces its own environmental impact but also contributes to a broader movement towards sustainable building management across the community.
⑪
It was hard to stop at just 10 when Stokes is doing so many great things for our planet. They’re committed to reducing food waste by participating in the ‘Too Good To Go scheme’, an initiative that ensures surplus food is shared rather than thrown away.
Through this program, any unsold but perfectly good food from their cafés is offered to customers at a reduced price via the Too Good To Go app. This not only helps reduce the environmental impact of food waste but also allows more people to experience Stokes’ great taste.
By joining this initiative, Stokes plays a vital role in tackling food waste while supporting sustainable consumption. They also ensure they’re in collective conversations and networking with like-minded people to drive support for a circular economy in our home county.
Through this program, any unsold but perfectly good food from their cafés is offered to customers at a reduced price via the Too Good To Go app. This not only helps reduce the environmental impact of food waste but also allows more people to experience Stokes’ great taste.
By joining this initiative, Stokes plays a vital role in tackling food waste while supporting sustainable consumption. They also ensure they’re in collective conversations and networking with like-minded people to drive support for a circular economy in our home county.
As they work towards B-Corp certification, their commitment to reducing waste, supporting ethical practices, and minimising carbon footprint is as evident as ever and shines through in every aspect of the operations.
With measures like repurposing materials, using eco-friendly roasting techniques, and sharing surplus food, Stokes demonstrates that sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the core principle guiding their everyday actions.
Through these eleven sustainable practices, Stokes not only upholds their long-standing environmental values but also paves the way for a greener future in the coffee industry.
