If you enjoy drinking coffee, you’ve probably heard of Starbucks. The coffee chain is renowned for both its dedication to sustainability and its high-quality coffee. Starbucks sources coffee that is Rainforest Alliance Certified as one method to demonstrate this commitment. But exactly what does that mean?
The Rainforest Alliance is a global nonprofit organization that seeks to protect biodiversity and advance the rights, welfare, and communities of workers. If a coffee is marked as Rainforest Alliance Certified, it has been grown and harvested using sustainable methods that assist the people who grow and harvest the coffee beans while also protecting the environment.
One of the biggest consumers of Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee worldwide is Starbucks. Since 2008, the business has collaborated with the Rainforest Alliance to source coffee that complies with their sustainability guidelines. Starbucks declared in 2015 that it has succeeded in getting 99% of its coffee from morally and environmentally responsible sources, including Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.
Starbucks is dedicated to sustainability, but other coffee shops might not be. For instance, Dunkin Donuts has come under fire for its sourcing methods. According to a Mighty Earth study conducted in 2018, Dunkin Donuts was obtaining their coffee from plantations in Guatemala and Honduras that were causing deforestation and habitat degradation. Additionally, the research revealed that these farms employed children. Since then, Dunkin Donuts has committed to obtaining all of its coffee from sustainable sources that have been certified by the end of 2020.
Adidas is a company that frequently receives accolades for its initiatives in the area of fashion industry sustainability. The business initiated many sustainability efforts, such as its Parley for the Oceans collection, which is produced from recovered ocean plastics, and has pledged to use entirely recycled polyester in its products by 2024. However, Adidas has come under fire for their hiring procedures. In 2016, it was discovered that employees at an Indonesian Adidas garment manufacturing were being paid as little as $1.50 per day.
Similar to this, Nike has also come under fire for its labor policies. The business was charged with employing sweatshop labor in its factories in the 1990s. Nike has made steps to enhance its labor policies, but in recent years, the firm has come under increased scrutiny for allegedly abusing and exploiting its employees.
In conclusion, Starbucks is a fantastic option if you’re searching for a coffee business that is dedicated to sustainability and ethical sourcing. The business has been sourcing coffee that complies with the Rainforest Alliance’s sustainability guidelines for more than ten years. When it comes to different brands and industries, it is crucial to conduct research. Although Adidas and Nike are working to improve their labor and sustainability standards, they have previously come under fire. It’s also critical to hold Dunkin Donuts accountable for keeping its pledges despite the company’s pledge to source only sustainable coffee.