5 Key Takeaways from Balzac’s Commitment to Sustainability That Can Help You Take Action

As a whole, the coffee industry seems to be making positive strides toward more sustainable practices—in bean production, brewing and beyond. Balzac’s, for its part, is deeply devoted to protecting the planet, and in recent years, the company has shifted several of its practices to be more environmentally conscious.

Balzac’s sustainability initiatives—which range from sourcing Fairtrade Canada certified beans, to offering 100% BPI certified compostable pods—have been a major success, and the company plans to continue rolling out new and exciting planet-friendly products. In all future business endeavors, the environment will be top-of-mind. 

Balzac’s central goal is not only to make sustainability a key pillar of its business, but also to inspire the broader community to put the planet first, too. There are countless takeaways from Balzac’s commitment to sustainability, and we hope that by sharing some of them, you will implement positive changes into your business—thereby contributing to a greener globe. 

Balzac’s commitment to sustainability

Balzac’s is wholeheartedly committed to minimizing its environmental impact—both in its cafés and coffee production processes. For one, Balzac’s beans are roasted using eco-friendly, energy efficient, Loring Smart Roasters—which, amazingly, emit up to 80% less greenhouse gas emissions than a typical coffee roaster. 

Not only does Balzac’s source organic, Fairtrade coffee, but all cafés offer Fairtrade cocoa and sugar, too. We carry organic and locally-made juices and cider, and the water we sell is naturally sourced. In addition to Balzac’s compostable pods, the cafés also carry biodegradable straws, as well as double wall cups made from renewable resources. Even our lids are recyclable. 

As is the case with Balzac’s eco-friendly coffee roaster, the appliances—including dishwashers and fridges—used in the cafés are energy efficient. It’s no wonder Blazac’s was the first coffee company in Canada to be certified with LEAF (Leaders in Environmentally Accountable Foodservice)—which encompasses all sects of the business, including partnerships. In everything Balzac’s does, protecting the planet is a top priority. 

Balzac’s has demonstrated a continuous commitment to the environment. Whether you’re a business owner or an everyday consumer, we encourage you to do the same. 

Five key takeaways 

1. Take sustainability seriously: The first step, which is arguably the most important, is to take sustainability seriously. That means recognizing climate change as a real issue, and doing your part to combat it. Sustainability must be incorporated into your business from the ground up, and should be infused throughout future corporate strategies and business plans.
2. Set goals: While all companies should set business-related goals, you should also set sustainability goals—and determine what changes are needed in order to reach them. That requires careful consideration and planning, so make sure to set aside an adequate amount of time to determine reasonable environmental objectives. Invest resources into training your staff about the importance of sustainability, so that they, too, can make it a priority in their daily lives. Educating your employees will help foster a strong sustainability mindset throughout the business, which will help empower them and the business more broadly. 
3. Hold yourself accountable: Setting goals is the easy part—accomplishing them takes a lot of work. It’s critical to hold yourself and your team accountable, and regularly measure your success and shortcomings. Celebrate the wins and learn from the losses.
4. Partner with the right people: If your business depends on a supply chain to run, evaluate the sustainability of that supply chain. Make sure to partner with environmentally conscious vendors, as it’s much easier to accomplish your own environmental goals if your business partners are on the same page. Ensure you are sourcing materials wisely, which will inherently help to reduce your company’s consumption of natural resources and minimize carbon emissions as much as possible. 
5. Opt for energy-efficient tools: Where possible, upgrade your company’s most commonly used appliances and gadgets to be energy-efficient (which will also reduce your energy bill—big bonus!). Swap traditional bulbs for LED lights, use smart thermostats, and set staff up with laptops rather than heavy-duty desktops. Speaking of laptops, offering employees the option to work remotely (even occasionally) can make a major difference, because it means fewer commutters (and cars) clogging up the roads.

When it comes to sustainability, the most important thing to do is simply start somewhere—whether it’s setting up a compost bin in your office, or opting for second-hand furniture in your workspace.

Although sustainability practices will vary widely depending on your unique business model, the aforementioned takeaways apply to everyone seeking to make the planet a priority. When you boil it down, sustainability is somewhat straightforward, and although making your business more environmentally friendly might seem like a daunting task, it is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding things you can do—for yourself, your employees and the planet.