Grind Is Officially B Corp Certified.
It’s official. And it’s a big deal. Grind is now a B Corp, joining a global movement of companies who are using business as a force for good.
This is a pretty big deal for us. To say we’re excited would be an understatement.
Since we started serving coffee back in 2011, Grind has grown, changed, and evolved a huge amount, but sustainability has always been at the heart of what we do and we’ve always strived to do things the right way… which (annoyingly) often isn’t the easy way.
What Is a B Corp?
B Corp is the only global certification initiative that carefully assesses businesses based on their entire environmental and social performance, accountability, and transparency. It’s a voluntary process, and to get the certification every aspect of a business is put under a microscope and rigorously examined to make sure it meets high environmental and ethical standards.
Being a B Corp means that we’re officially part of a global movement of companies who are using business as a force for good, committing themselves to always balancing profit and purpose. Put simply, all certified B Corp companies prioritise the planet and its people in the way they operate, harnessing the power of business to create a more inclusive and sustainable economy.
How We’re Using Business as a Force for Good.
Even though we talk about our compostable coffee pods all day every day, it isn't quite enough to single-handedly obtain us a B Corp certification. In every area of our business, from sourcing our coffee to packaging it and serving it in our cafés, we have a responsibility to have a positive impact not just on the environment, but on all of our stakeholders—from our employees to the farmers that grow our coffee—as well as the wider community, and, of course, our customers (hopefully, that’s you). You can find out more about our sustainable practices here.
Our Ocean Cleanup Project.
A big part of driving positive change has been through our charity, the Better Coffee Foundation®, which we set up to undo the damage caused by the global coffee industry. In 2024, we’ve doubled down on our efforts by partnering with Ocean Co. and extending our pledge to recover ocean-bound plastic not only for every pod we sell, but for every iced coffee can and cup of coffee we sell, too. You can read more about our foundation here.
Recyclable Packaging.
We’re not cleaning up our own plastic from the ocean—that wouldn’t make any sense. Instead, all our coffee pods are made from PHA, which consists of organic matter only, meaning they’re plastic- and aluminium-free and completely biodegradable. Our whole bean and ground coffee comes in compostable packaging, and we ship all our products in recyclable boxes. In short, we’re not fans of single-use plastic (although we’re not sure why anyone would be).
Ethical Trading and Sustainable Farming.
We source all of our coffee from small-scale farms. The people who run these farms implement regenerative agricultural practices, prioritising resource efficiency and supporting biodiversity, which don't just lower their carbon footprint, but ensure the longevity and resilience of the farms. We work directly with our growers, maintaining long-term collaborative relationships that guarantee fair pay and high-quality coffee.
Why Are We So Excited?
A very valid question. We started applying for the B Corp certification two years ago, but the rate at which we’ve been growing means it’s been a pretty long process to have every area of our business, from our website operations to our restaurants and coffee shops, evaluated. So, to finally have the certification is definitely worthy of celebration.
We are a long way from perfect, but we’re immensely proud to be B Corp certified. This is the beginning of a longer journey towards collective action and continuous improvement, and a crucial part of our ongoing commitment to minimise our impact on the planet.
Why Should You Be Excited?
Your support (and your mild dependency on caffeine) is the reason why we’ve been able to scale a business founded on sustainability, and why we’re able to keep serving better coffee, every day. You’re an integral part of this journey, and you should feel good about that. Now go grab some coffee, you’ve earned it.