Earth Day: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s Sustainable Practices
We celebrated the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, and now over a billion people practice and raise awareness for sustainability efforts on this yearly holiday. The ecological knowledge of the population continues to grow as issues like plastic waste, water scarcity, and species extinction threaten our planet’s future.
At The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®, we see every day as an opportunity to make meaningful changes. People like you can help make a difference by following sustainable practices and conserving resources in the comfort of your home.
WHAT ARE SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES?
Sustainable practices are ways of conducting business and living your life that don’t hurt the environment. They are small changes to your daily routine that make a big impact. From turning your lights off to transitioning from bottled water, every new habit safeguards our planet.
HOW DOES THE COFFEE BEAN PRACTICE SUSTAINABILITY?
As native Californians, we have always cared deeply about conservation and sustainability. As an organization, we have implemented many practices to reduce waste and contribute to a healthier, happier world. We believe sustainability is a chance for all of us to make better daily choices. From rethinking straws to phasing out plastic cups, we’re taking meaningful actions to create solutions together.
We now offer paper straws in several of our locations. On a global scale, we rolled out paper cold cups in Malaysia. We hope to continue this effort across our stores worldwide — after all, why use plastic when paper products can get the job done just as well?
Our stores have been certified “green” by the Green Restaurant Association (GRA) for over a decade. We continue doing the work, establishing recycling programs, and developing more efficient waste management and energy usage systems. For us, practicing sustainability isn’t just good business — it’s the right thing to do.
HOW CAN I PRACTICE SUSTAINABILITY?
There are several lifestyle changes, big and small, that you can incorporate into your daily routine to practice sustainability and do your part to protect your planet. Wondering how to be more sustainable? Try any of the following:
- Eat local when you can. To transport produce and other fresh foods thousands of miles, distributors burn significant amounts of fossil fuels and use plenty of packaging. Order takeout from restaurants that source their food locally. Try planting your favorite veggies in your yard to create a sustainable garden.
- Recycle coffee grounds. Don’t throw your used coffee grounds at home in the garbage. Instead, you can: sprinkle coffee grounds on the flower beds of hydrangeas or azaleas, mix coffee grounds with baking soda for use as an abrasive cleaner, or add coffee grounds to marinades to help tenderize meat..
- Work from home. Cozy up on your couch with a cup of Bali Blue Moon Coffee and complete your work in pajamas. Telecommuters cut carbon emissions by consuming less gasoline, waste less paper, and use less electricity compared to workers in an office.
Celebrate Earth Day at home with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf on Wednesday, April 22. Come together with the community — make your favorite cup of coffee or tea and post on Instagram with how you’re honoring Earth Day in the caption. Tag us (@thecoffeebean) to join the conversation. Together, we can find eco-friendly solutions to protect the environment and create a greener planet.