Conscious Coffee Choices: The Best UK Coffee Roasters and Subscriptions
In the UK, a growing number of coffee brands are not only focusing on delivering quality coffee but also ensuring their practices are sustainable and eco-friendly. These companies, some certified B Corps, set a high standard in balancing profit with planet and people. Here are some of the leading UK-based coffee brands.
Ozone
Ozone Coffee, a B Corp-certified company, emphasizes an "ethics-first" approach, reflecting its commitment to community impact, environmental responsibility, and sustainable business practices. They build long-term, direct relationships with coffee growers, ensuring fair and respectful partnerships. Their roastery operates on green electricity, and they engage in waste-reducing practices like using compostable packaging and donating old coffee sacks for wildlife shelters. Ozone Coffee extends its commitment to sustainability through its food philosophy, which includes less than 3% food waste, renewable electricity, and creative menu design to minimize waste.
Pact
Pact Coffee, a UK-based coffee subscription company, has achieved B Corp certification thanks to its carbon-neutral Surrey-based roastery and an ethics-first approach. Pact Coffee is recognized for its commitment to sustainability, community, and high-quality coffee. They scored an impressive 85.4 in the B Corp certification audit, which assesses governance, workers, community, environment, and customer impact. The company is dedicated to reducing its environmental footprint and supporting coffee farmers through fair and ethical practices.
Assembly
Assembly Coffee is not only a certified CarbonNeutral® company but also proudly holds a B Corp™ certification. This dual recognition underscores their commitment to sustainable practices and social responsibility. While specific details about their initiatives weren't available, their certifications suggest a strong focus on reducing environmental impact and fostering ethical business practices.
Horsham
Horsham Coffee Roaster Founded in 2012 in Sussex, Horsham Coffee Roaster focuses on speciality coffee. As a small but dedicated team, they prioritize ethically traded, high-quality coffee. Their "Relationship Coffees" are sourced directly from farmers and producers, establishing partnerships in Rwanda, Kenya, and Costa Rica. They ensure full traceability and financial transparency of their coffees, and were the first UK roaster to sign The Pledge at transparency.coffee. In 2019, they partnered with One Tree Planted, committing to plant a tree for every 1kg of Rwandan and Kenyan coffee sold, enhancing their sustainability efforts.
Origin Coffee
Origin Coffee, a B Corp certified since 2020, upholds values of transparency, sustainability, and respect. They continuously strive to improve their social and environmental impact, with a goal of surpassing a score of 120. Origin Coffee represents a commitment to ethical business practices, focusing on long-term sustainability in the coffee industry.