Sustainability in the world of coffee

Today we hear more and more about sustainability applied to the world of coffee, a buzzword that embodies economic, environmental and social sustainability along the coffee supply chain. Today, coffee cultivation sees reduced biodiversity and farmer poverty as major problems, which is why there are so many initiatives that also involve the end customer in making conscious actions. This with the aim to create value for both society and the environment even when it comes coffee.

Climate change and fair coffee prices are key, and back in 1962, at the first international coffee agreement; ways to ensure the economic sustainability of coffee production were discussed.

All with the understanding that people, planet and profit are connected.

SCA's Coffee Sustainability Program

A few years ago, the Specialty Coffee Association launched the Coffee Sustainability Program dedicated to sustainability in its fundamental pillars (social, economic and environmental). The desire is to delve into the challenges involved in acting sustainably along the coffee value chain.

The Coffee Sustainability Program is developed like the Coffee Skills Program modules in three successive levels: Foundation, Intermediate and Professional at the end of which, after passing the test, a SCA Certification is obtained.

Is coffee a sustainable product?

Coffee is definitely not a sustainable product given that today's producing countries live in extreme poverty and with a lack of infrastructure. We can say that the economic sustainability of coffee production is linked to the social one of those who sell it, and it is precisely the producers who are among the most vulnerable due to unstable coffee prices.

It is also important to address gender inequality: women coffee farmers produce less than their male counterparts do because they have less access to resources. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), if conditions in the field were made uniform, women could increase agricultural yields by 20-30 percent.

Sustainability, from cultivation to the cup

Today, coffee is one of the most widely traded products and second only to oil with a daily consumption of more than 2.5 billion espressos. The largest production is in developing countries and consumption in developed countries, with a market demand continuing to grow. The estimate is that by 2050 the demand for coffee will triple.

To achieve sustainability from cultivation to the cup, it is important for each consumer to make specific choices:

- Buy coffee with Fair Trade certifications and coffee that supports sustainable farming and help improve farmers live

- Buy coffee from the reality like Portioli, which controls the supply chain by relying on producers who work respecting the land and workers

Portioli Sustainability

Sustainability also encompasses coffee processing, and in this sense, Portioli is an ambassador and example for some best practices that include:

- Minimum water consumption and load on the public network, with water for firefighting, toilets and more generally potable ones in compliance with current regulations

- Class A2 energy efficiency of the building

- Lighting with natural light thanks to large windows that minimize artificial lighting

In addition to this, the exposure of the mirrors was chosen to optimize climate control; in fact, the north-facing openings are never irradiated and therefore the contribution of radiation to the heating of the rooms is minimal. Many of the mirrors can be opened to create a natural "chimney effect" in warm seasons. All office areas are air-conditioned with electricity, which is counted among the most sustainable sources. There is also a self-generation portion with a 100kWp photovoltaic system installed on the roof.

Portioli products are also born under the banner of sustainability. Let us think, for example, at the completely biodegradable bamboo wooden coffee stirring paddles and paper cups made of 100% virgin fiber cardboard.

Finally, Portioli donates out-of-season or expiring products to charities, as in the case of the 250g coffee cans donated to Civil Defence.

The best coffee is a sustainable coffee: this is why we invite you to choose Portioli for a daily act in favour of the environment and the producers of this so important raw material.