Our green practices

In addition to our Organic coffee and tea products, we believe that being a responsible member of our community and our world means supporting positive and healthy alternatives in both the products that we sell and the ways we do business.

We maintain the “green bean” by recycling everything we can, by cleaning with environmentally sensitive supplies and by ensuring that our paper products are made from as much post-consumer recyclable material as is available. Our brochures and business cards are made on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. You can identify our team members by name tags which we make from used gift cards.

Our “plastic” cups, container and utensils are made from corn and potatoes, as opposed to oil, which not only drains our precious natural resources but takes 200+ years to biodegrade. The energy we use to power our energy-efficient lighting and equipment is countered by our purchases of carbon offsets or by having trees planted to offset our carbon use.

So come sit with us and sip from our reusable mugs while reading or chatting with friends, and please let us know if there are other ways you could see us becoming a “greener” business.

- Certified organic coffees and teas
- Our milk is steroid, antibiotic and hormone-free and comes from vegetarian cows that are free from these toxins which have been linked to cancer, and which would otherwise be expelled into their milk.
- Buying local produce which supports local farmers, promotes organic farming practices, requires less transit distance (minimizing the carbon foot print) and insures freshness.
- Cups for cold drinks, spoons, forks and knives which are made from corn-based materials
- Comprehensive, in-store Recycling system
- We purchase green, alternative energy credits
- The lost bean store was built according to new state regulations which cut light energy consumption by up to 40% over previous regulations.
- Energy-efficient light bulbs.
- Energy-efficient appliances
- 100% post-consumer recycled paper used for broachers, business cards, gift card envelopes, comment cards, and free-drink cards.
- Non-bleached napkins made from 80% post-consumer, recycled materials
- Paper towels made from 80% post-consumer, recycled materials
- 80% post-consumer, recycled paper used for all office business
- Team member name tags made from used gift cards
- Helpful hints throughout the store for green living.
- Mugs provided for customers staying in to enjoy the experience.
- Mug policy for employees
- Promoting employee education on living green