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We all know the relief that a cup of coffee brings, curing our morning fogginess and arming us for our day with that all-too-familiar buzz of caffeine. But even that simple cup of coffee can become confusing and overwhelming when considering the ethical dilemmas associated with coffee production.
It is no secret that within the coffee industry, corruption extends across the supply chain from farming to consumption. Human rights issues such as gender inequality, unfair wages, and poor working conditions are commonplace. Just as alarming, coffee farming is a catalyst for various environmental issues spanning from decreased genetic diversity to deforestation, to an increase in pollution from chemicals in pesticides and fertilizers.
The good news is that many people have acknowledged these challenges and there is a growing market for sustainable and ethical coffee brands. In this article, we will show you our top five brands for a delicious, eco-friendly cup of joe.
Keurig has come out with a refillable coffee filter that allows you to pour your coffee ground directly into the filter and then wash it after each use to reuse it again. Not only does this mean limitless coffee flavors, but it also reduces plastic waste. Brewing coffee is convenient and easy with the Keurig Reusable Coffee Filter, which is compatible with all Keurig machines. Even better, the coffee filter is dishwasher-safe and BPA-free, making cleaning a breeze. You can buy the filter directly from Keurig or other retailers like Target.
When it comes to sustainable and ethical coffee brands, it is hard to beat Rockin’ Cat. Based in Pennsylvania, Rockin’ Cat is the epitome of a sustainable company. As a part of the #breakfreefromplastic movement, all of their coffee and tea are shipped in compostable packaging, and they don't use any plastic processing equipment. The company also sets high standards when it comes to working conditions, as they hold a B corp certification and all of their coffee is Fairtrade. And if that wasn’t enough, Rockin’ Cat is carbon-neutral, Certified Organic, Bird Friendly, and a part of the Specialty Coffee Association.
With Certifications like Fair Trade, B Corp, and Gold Standard, you can be sure that when you drink Café Direct you are not harming people or the planet. The company also uses regenerative farming practices, which means they work to improve soil health rather than depleting it like in traditional farming. The company also has organic certifications and is actively working to reduce its carbon footprint. While not compostable yet, 99% of packaging across all of Café Direct’s products is recyclable.
Higher Ground does not compromise when it comes to sustainability, quality, and principles. Both 100% organic and Fair Trade certified, these beans are helping to make sure that family-run farms can stay independent and benefit economically from the coffee industry. With forest canopy agricultural practices, Higher Ground coffee is grown in a way that preserves native biodiversity and ecosystems. Additionally, giving back is a key part of Higher Ground’s mission. They partner with Non-Profits including the Black Warrior Riverkeeper and The Cahaba River Society. Furthermore, there is a large variety of choices with monthly subscriptions or one-time purchases featuring a wide range of flavors.
The options are endless with Tayst with flavors ranging from fruity mocha to pumpkin crush available in Keurig pods, ground coffee, and whole beans. They even offer espresso capsules! Tayst’s mission is “to eliminate single-use plastic and harmful packaging from coffee”, so all of their single-use cups are BPI-certified compostable and their coffee bags are made from plant plastic rather than petroleum. Their coffee is also Rainforest Alliance Certified meaning they work towards promoting biodiversity, providing workers with reasonable wages and working conditions, and respecting the workers and people in local communities.