Costa goes ‘Beyond the Beans’ with sustainability

Costa has joined a campaign to encourage broader sustainability in British restaurants and cafés, going over and above the provenance of tea and coffee.


In association with the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA), the Beyond the Beans campaign will grade restaurants and cafés on sourcing of beverages, volume of disposable items, and efficiency in energy, waste and water.

The SRA’s managing director Mark Linehan said: “It’s fantastic to work with the market leaders on a scheme we hope will drive up sustainability standards across the UK’s 10,000 cafés. By going beyond the beans, we’re finally enabling cafés to demonstrate the breadth of their credentials.”

Billed as the ‘Michelin stars of sustainability’, the SRA has previously certified more than 4000 restaurants.

Bigger picture

Costa corporate responsibility manager Sandy Gourlay said: “Costa is always looking for new developments to support our wider commitment to sustainability and reducing our environmental impact.

“We are delighted that we have been able to draw on our long-standing expertise to help establish a new sustainable café standard in partnership with the SRA. Cafés will now have their own recognised sustainability rating like so many other sectors and the SRA will support our sector’s journey to a more sustainable future.

The new ratings will be launched by SRA Board Director Henry Dimbleby, at the Lunch! food and drink conference on 23 September.

Commenting on the new partnership, Philip Lymbery CEO of compassion for the farm-animal welfare group World Farming said: “People are rightly concerned by the provenance of their coffee but many may forget about the sustainability and animal welfare credentials of the other products they buy in cafés daily.

“We welcome this new rating as it looks at the bigger picture.”

Brad Allen

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe