We are conscious of our impact on the planet. Our goal is to create positive environmental change and to constantly move towards fixing the things that we cannot yet achieve.
To hold ourselves accountable, we have some big plans in the works, which will reimagine the way we do business. We want to be a business that balances profit with people and the planet. We’ll be posting updates as we go, so keep an eye out!
As a roaster, we need to consider each step of the coffee journey if we are to truly be a responsible business. So, what is ‘sustainably sourced coffee’? It’s a phrase that’s thrown around a lot, and we want to be clear about what that means to us.
People – most of the world’s coffee is traded as a commodity, on what’s known as the C Market. This price isn’t based on any individual farmer’s needs or situation, and often farmers will make less money for their coffee than it costs to produce it in the first place. By definition, this is unsustainable, and these farmers will stop growing coffee and grow something else instead. Working outside of the C Market is core to the Rounton Coffee Roasters mission.
We pay a premium for the coffees we source, which allows more cash to make it back to the people who make the coffee possible. Investment in infrastructure, agronomy and education are key to the sustainability of coffee worldwide.
Planet – Coffee also needs to be sustainably grown. Intensive farming leads to reduced biodiversity, decreased soil health, and an over-reliance on fertilisers and irrigation as a result. If left unchecked, intensive farming is a real, credible threat to the future of coffee. We source our coffees from farms that value sustainable farming methods (some are even award-winners)! These farms work alongside nature rather than fighting against it, so that great coffee can continue to be grown for generations to come.
Roasting – We roast on a 30kg Mill City roaster. Although it is gas-powered, it’s a much more energy-efficient machine than its predecessor. The energy taken to fire up the roaster is something we also try to keep to a minimum, and reducing our roast days from 5 to 3 is one of the most significant changes we’ve made recently.
Packing/Shipping – For our local wholesale deliveries, we have a ‘milk round of reusable coffee tubs. Since its introduction, we have saved thousands of coffee bags from going to waste. Our coffee bags are also carbon-neutral and home-recyclable, so it’s now easier than ever to enjoy our coffee without worrying about waste.
Future – We’re proud of what we have achieved so far, but there is always more we can do. We’re working closely with Agri Evolve, the people behind our Ugandan coffee. By pledging an additional 60p per kilo of green coffee we buy, we will be supporting their ACE 2030 project, a 10-year plan emphasising the integral link between agriculture, community and the environment.
As a business, we’re now focusing on more than just roasting great coffee. Our goal for the future is to bring positive change to the place we call home, and to the environment. Thanks for joining us on the journey.
– The Rounton Coffee Team