Do you know how many coffee shops there are in Australia? Almost 20,000. That is a massive number and this is just the statistic of Australia only. If you look at global coffee consumption, the number will keep increasing.
This raises a question about the carbon footprint of these cafes? Coffee is good, but the cups and straws and the waste it produces is unquestionably not great for the environment. So, how do you reduce the carbon footprint of your café? Here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Tip 1: Use only sustainable coffee
If you want to run a successful coffee shop, you need the best coffee beans. For that to happen, you need to make sure you buy sustainable and organic coffee. Look for roasters who have green credentials and have certifications showing growing coffee sustainably.
For instance, if you drink pods coffee, buy Nespresso compatible pods. They are biodegradable and good for the environment. When you buy whole coffee beans, practice the same habits. Instead of buying coffee from the shelf, reach out to local roasters dealing with the best and sustainable coffee beans.
Tip 2: Try to reduce plastic intake
Plastic, we all know, is the worst thing for the environment. It takes years to recycle them. Therefore, café’s need to reduce their dependence on them.
Do not provide a self-service option, where customers can take any amount of plastic straws they want. Use cutlery for the food items that you are providing.
Tip 3: Use reusable cutlery
When your customers order online coffee or any food items, use sustainable packaging. Do not use paper packets. Provide them with cutlery or reusable straws and cups.
In the café, use bamboo or reusable straw instead of paper or plastic ones. Start serving in glass or cup, and for to-go orders, ask the customers to buy reusable cups.
Tip 4: Encourage customers to drink black coffee
We all love our lattes and cappuccino with full-fat milk or cream. However, dairy products are not great for the environment. They produce greenhouse gases and impact the environment. So, use specialty and high-quality coffee beans to brew a delicious cup of black coffee or espresso.
If you produce the best, you can encourage your customers to try it and reduce dairy consumption. We are not saying to entirely cut back on dairy, but try to reduce it. Also, introduce vegan milk in your café. Soy or almond latte or cappuccino are gaining popularity as well.
Tip 5: Try to find a low-energy espresso machine
An espresso machine is the heart and soul of any café. It also uses tons of energy and is quite an expensive piece of equipment. Therefore, you should look for an espresso machine, which uses 50% less energy and is affordable as well.
Tip 6: Try to reuse coffee grounds
Every café has tons of coffee options, from ground to pods and more. Make sure that you do not throw away the remaining or used grounds. Instead, re-use them in the garden as they make for excellent fertilizers.
It is high time to start thinking about the environment and start making our coffee habits green.
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