As we become more aware of the negative impacts that we, as humans, have on the planet, more of us are wanting to change the way we live.
There are numerous ways in which you can improve how you live and start to protect the Earth. Businesses also share a huge responsibility to collectively reduce environmental impact.
The food industry has come under fire in recent years and the industry has quickly taken to new and more sustainable products. Esquires Coffee is proud of its ethical and environmental business ethos and is widely recognised as being an eco-aware franchise business in the UK. In this article, we share with you some of the products that you can use in your coffee shop that are sustainable and kind to the planet.
Environmentally Friendly Cutlery and Utensils
Plastic stirring rods are single-use products and all end up in landfill, which is detrimental to the planet. A sustainable alternative is to use wooden utensils as these can break down naturally in the environment rather than ending up in landfill. The material used in environmentally friendly cutlery and utensils can easily be reused for other products later on in its life. A different method is to use metal cutlery that can be washed and reused multiple times. Not only will this save money in the long run, but reusable cutlery also produces far less waste.
Reusable or Compostable Cups
Many coffee shop visitors are on the go, either going to work or fuelling their busy lives, so they will often opt to takeaway rather than sit in. Offering reusable cups that they can bring back each time they visit the shop is a brilliant method to reduce waste. An excellent incentive for customers to choose this option is to offer a discount for those who bring the reusable cup. Alternatively, compostable cups can also be used for takeaway orders, and even though these will get thrown away, they are compostable.
Use Local Suppliers
Using local suppliers can not only be beneficial for your customers as your food will taste fresher, but it can also significantly reduce your carbon footprint. If you are offering your customers food, try and order from local suppliers and businesses. At Esquires Coffee, many of the products on our menu are sourced from local suppliers reducing food miles and improving the quality of our products.
Use Fair-Trade Coffee
As coffee will likely be the product you use the most, it is a great place to start making a change in order to become more sustainable. Fairtrade is an organisation that works with businesses, consumers and campaigners to provide farmers and workers with equal pay, work conditions and empower them. Furthermore, their mission is to promote fair trading conditions and combat poverty. By purchasing Fairtrade coffee, you are protecting the livelihood of the farmers and workers who graft tirelessly to procure coffee beans. Esquires Coffee only uses Fairtrade teas and Coffee and regularly collaborates with Fairtrade UK on different charity initiatives.
Offer Alternative Milks
An article from The Guardian states that nearly a quarter of Britons opt for plant-based milk. Sales for cow’s milk have seen a decline, while alt-milk has seen an increase of 10% over the past two years. More people are turning to a more plant-based lifestyle, because it has been found to be more beneficial to the environment and helps to protect animals. For more information, take a look at our guide to alternative milks.
Here at Esquires Coffee, we are advocates of going green and trying to have a positive impact on the planet. Why not consider a new business venture and become part of an organisation that appreciates and provides to today's coffee consumer? Fill in an franchise application today
For more information about the UK's coffee industry and its significant growth in recent years, take a look at our blog below:
