How do you brew? Ethical choices for workplace beverages

Whether its milk or no milk, latte or lapsang, decaff or an extra shot of espresso, the modern workplace is witnessing a growing demand for environmentally friendly and diverse beverage choices, mirroring the values of today’s workforce

One sugar or two? A steaming cup of high-quality tea or coffee is an effective way to battle the morning blues. While dealers often provide traditional hot drinks in the workplace, the current trend towards destination workspaces, promoting healthier lifestyles and embracing eco-friendly catering options highlights an opportunity to offer customer’s some alternative choices beyond the classic builder’s brew.

We drink at least 98 million cups of coffee per day in the UK with most of that number being consumed while at work. According to a report by the Leesman Index, almost 78% of workers see the quality and availability of onsite drinks as being highly important. As businesses strive to entice employees back to the office and demonstrate their commitment to eco-friendly initiatives, dealers should emphasise the array of products available that can enhance the workplace experience while aligning with sustainable practices.

The first and simplest step on the road to making workplace beverages more environmentally friendly is to point customers in the direction of ethically sourced tea and coffee. Most people will be familiar with fairtrade products; however, consumer research shows that people are becoming increasingly concerned with things like carbon footprint and recyclability when it comes to hot drinks. Dealers should strive to highlight products from suppliers that use environmentally friendly manufacturing processes, champion eco initiatives and utilise less energy in transport and delivery.

When it comes to improving worker health and wellbeing, diversifying the available on hot drinks on site is a good way for businesses to show their commitment to understanding what the modern worker prefers to see in the workplace. Dealers can guide customers towards alternative options like ethically sourced green teas and herbal teas, known for their potential to boost productivity and alleviate stress.

Making workplace hot drinks more sustainable doesn’t just stop at selecting the right drinks products. Workplaces can further improve their green credentials by reviewing their current catering equipment. Outdated and inefficient kitchen appliances like kettles and coffee machines often consume excessive energy, leading to wasted water, electricity, and inflated energy bills. Further to this, many appliances contain numerous components which are not recyclable meaning when they are disposed, they end up in landfill.

While electric drink makers such as coffee machines offer the benefits of speed and convenience, dealers should provide customers with advice on alternative equipment that promotes manual drink preparation. For instance, classic French press cafetières are an excellent option as they not only consume less energy but also utilize loose coffee beans instead of pods or capsules, reducing packaging waste. Encouraging a workplace environment where employees can prepare their own drinks fosters socialization and facilitates connections among coworkers, rather than simply pressing a button and walking away from the kitchen or breakout area.

While traditional beverage choices remain popular, today’s eco-conscious workforce desires a broader selection and the knowledge to make sustainable decisions. By offering a diverse range of ethically sourced teas and coffees, along with eco-friendly catering equipment options, dealers can support businesses in creating environments that align with modern values and enhance the workplace experience.