KeepCup was one of the founding B Corps in Australia in 2014. Since then, it’s been named a B Corp Best for the World winner in the Environment category four times. Read some of the ways they have lowered their impact and get inspiration for how you can do the same.
Reuse, repair
You can instantly reduce your waste footprint - and your costs - by encouraging your customers to ditch disposables, helping to cut down on the more than 2.5 billion sing-use cups used in the UK every year. Disposables are, literally, rubbish. Use KeepCup’s Impact Calculator to see what difference it can make to your business. KeepCup also offer replacement lids, plugs and cups, meaning your customers can replace the part, instead of the product.
Trash vs. treasure
KeepCup seek out solutions that break the linear waste to landfill model, championing a circular economy. Their best-selling glass Brew Cork range features a recovered cork band made from the waste of wine cork production in Portugal. Continued innovation also saw popular limited-edition runs of Brew Wood and Brew Corn last year. If you’re unsure where to start, coffee grounds are already being turned into everything from beauty products to logs, so are a great way to begin your circular journey.
The full package
It’s easy to get trapped into doing things the same way they’ve always been done. But KeepCup love challenging the status quo. The manufacturers for their stainless steel Press Fit thermal and cups used individual plastic bags as their go-to transportation packaging. KeepCup worked with them to design packaging that is 100% cardboard and maximises shipping space, reducing emissions by 35%. Sugarcane fibre-moulded cradle trays are their latest innovation. Designed to keep their glass cups securely in place when travelling from suppliers, they are then reused in their retail packaging to protect products in transit. In their warehouses, KeepCup use reusable pallet straps to replace single-use pallet wrap for secure storage. There are gains to be made when you seek to be innovative with your packaging, not just your products.
Material considerations
Digging into the detail about materials, such as access and supply and end of life options, is worth the time now and for informing future innovation. KeepCup has again utilised stainless steel in its new cup-to-bottle Helix range – it has thermal properties, is durable and can be 100% recycled over and over again. On average, stainless steel contains 25% scrap metal content. KeepCup’s been working in partnership with their supplier to increase this percentage. The result? KeepCup’s stainless steel range will now all be made from 90% recycled stainless steel, starting with their new 8oz fully sealed Helix - ideal for flat whites and lattes. So, talk to your suppliers, be curious about their sustainability initiatives and what’s new and happening within industry. Shared ideas build momentum and create real change
Rain or shine
Being a UK-based coffee festival, we have to mention the weather. The electricity for KeepCup’s global offices has been supplied by solar panels on their warehouses since 2018. You may not have the available roof space, but harvesting rainfall is another great option. Even a simple water butt for your café plants is a good start. KeepCup collects rainwater for its toilets and gardening. Every flush helps..!
It’s hard to know where to start when thinking about lowering your impact. But – just like using a reusable – KeepCup shows that by starting with the small changes, they can add up to make a big difference.
