disposable coffee cups stopped from going to landfill in just 5 months!
…for serving delicious coffee to those in need of a caffeine fix, and others who want to relax in their comfortable venues. Behind the tasty beverages is a dedicated team who care about sustainability from seed to cup.
…but for owner Pete, that just simply was not enough! The next step was to use plastic packaging alternatives such as large reusable tin containers for transporting coffee beans to sugar cane wrapping for boxes greatly reducing the need for disposables.
For Pete, reducing the use of disposable plastics is not just to fit into a ‘green trend’, it will always be part of Grindsmith’s core values. The decision to stop serving coffee in take away cups at their Pod venue at Greengate Square was one that many advised against for fear of losing custom. Pete says it was ‘an ecological decision, not an economic one’ but has been well received by their customers and increased sales of their reusable coffee mugs too. This bold move has saved 10,000 disposable cups going to landfill / incineration in just 5 months that the trial has been running. ‘It may seem like a drop in the ocean when it comes to addressing the disposable waste problem, but it is the drop we have made happen’ Pete says.
Taking sustainability to the next level, the Grindsmith team research and support ethical and organic coffee farms before ordering. They are committed to sourcing their food ingredients from within a 10 mile radius to reduce their carbon footprint further and support local businesses. The staff also get their hands dirty by supporting City of Trees with their urban tree planting.
Shop: 231 – 233 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4EN
Pod: Greengate Square, Victoria Bridge Street, Manchester, M3 5AS
Media City: Unit 5&6, The Garage, Media City UK, Salford, M50 2EQ.
On this site you’ll find lots of information, advice and guidance to help you reduce the amount of single-use plastics you use. We want to help you make the right choices – whether that’s choosing to remove some products, choosing a re-usable alternative or switching to easily recyclable or compostable items. We’ll soon be launching our single-use plastic audit which will help your business to understand its current usage of single-use plastic (and disposables more generally) and identify where changes can be made. The first step is to sign our pledge and commit to take action to reduce avoidable single-use plastics across Greater Manchester. By making a commitment today you can help to make Greater Manchester one of the greenest UK city regions. Once you’ve signed we’ll be in touch with further support and information.
