Case Study: Stokes Tea & Coffee

We’re proud to recognise Lincolnshire businesses who work towards a greener future!

Through our Climate Challenge Hub we are calling for local businesses who do great things in support of sustainability, environment and reaching net zero.

Have a look at the case study below and get inspired to make green changes in your workplace too!

 

Stokes Tea & Coffee

There’s no doubt that climate change is driving big changes in the food and drink industry and it’s not hard to see why when you discover the statistics.

It’s been reported that around 52 million tonnes of waste go to landfill in the UK every year and much of this is food, drink and associated packaging.  According to a study by Earthwatch Europe, an estimated 5.5 billion plastic bottles are littered, incinerated or sent to landfill each year, producing 233,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.

Growing concern about this waste is a big driver for companies and individuals to do ‘their bit’ when it comes to minimizing negative impacts on the environment. The increasing popularity of loose food options and zero waste supermarkets shows that customers have a real appetite for packaging free options.

It’s encouraging to see that there are local food and drink suppliers putting themselves front and centre when it comes to helping to tackle climate change. A great example of this is a simple but ingenious initiative to help reduce the amount of packaging being binned.

The initiative has been developed by a Lincoln based, family company – Stokes Tea & Coffee. The business has been around for well over a century but this hasn’t stopped it taking an innovative approach in solving modern day problems.

Stokes which runs busy cafés, roast its own coffee and delivers wholesale orders to thousands of businesses, is being applauded for its initiative and a variety of organisations have been quick to sign up to the scheme.

The scheme known as Zero Waste, cuts down on packaging waste by delivering coffee and tea to customers in re-useable buckets. The buckets can be used repeatedly, and they keep products perfectly fresh and in peak condition without the need for packaging.

Offering products in buckets rather than in packaging can save over sixty bags on just one order. So far, the scheme has saved the use of over 2,000 boxes!

The scheme follows on from a range of actions being taken by Stokes Tea & Coffee to minimise waste including; using local produce, investing in recyclable packaging, supporting the free top-up refill water scheme, planting trees, using upcycled materials to refurbish premises, and, its eco-friendly coffee roaster which helps to cut the use of natural gas and CO2 emissions.

Sometimes the simplest ideas can be the best. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the impact their purchases have on people and the environment so it’s almost certain that packaging-free options are set to be in bigger demand!

To find out more about the Stokes Coffee and Tea reusable bucket scheme contact: 01522 523548 or visit the website.

Visit Stokes' website

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