Simple coffee swaps for a big sustainability impact

Aug 9, 2024 - 2 min read

Articles

Even small changes, like making coffee habits at work more nature positive, can create significant positive impacts.

Hulling parchment into Green bean - Slow coffee

Coffee cherries being hulled to reveal the green beans within © Slow/Saosavanth Ketmala

It’s quite common for companies, big and small, to offer free coffee as a perk for their workers in an effort to make them happier. The kind of thing most workers would love, rather than having to spend hundreds euros a year on coffee.

If you are an office manager, you’ve likely noticed the surprising volume of coffee consumed by your colleagues too.

But now, with the world getting warmer and the need to decarbonise becomes unavoidable, changing your usual coffee beans to nature-positive ones can transform your break rooms into spaces that benefit both workers and the planet.

What does nature-positive coffee mean? How is it different?

Nature-positive coffee goes beyond sustainability. It’s about actively improving the environment, not just preventing harm. While regular coffee farming often harms the planet, nature-positive coffee helps restore it.

It focuses on maintaining good soil quality and overall planet health as the most effective way to boost productivity and protect against disease. This involves growing coffee under shade trees, reducing use of pesticides and fertilisers, rotating crops and interplanting with fruit and nut trees to ensure that soil is replenished regularly with nutrients.

As a result, the land remains fertile for coffee production for generations, which prevents farmers from having to cut down trees to clear new land.

Ripe red coffee cherries, ready for harvest at our farm in Laos © Slow/Saosavanth Ketmala

Benefits for your business:

Elevate your brand. Position your business as a leader in sustainable practices.
Stand out from the crowd. Appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
Drive positive change. Contribute to a greener future for the coffee industry.

Benefits for your facility and employees:

Create a positive workplace culture. Promote environmental responsibility among your team.
Unite your team. Foster a sense of community through a shared goal.
Inspire innovation. Encourage creative solutions for a sustainable workplace.
Engage your entire team. Even those who prefer their usual routine can appreciate the positive impact of nature-positive coffee.

While some people believe that sustainable coffee lacks flavour compared to the conventional options, this isn't always true. Before you judge, remember that it can take a few tries to find your perfect bean.

Just like with conventional coffee, there are countless varieties of sustainable coffee, each with its own unique taste profile. You may need to sample a few different kinds before you find one that works for you and your workplace.

Simply buy a small quantity first, or better yet, see if you can sample a cup of fresh brew before you buy the beans.

Curious about Slow's unique flavours? Book your tasting now.