Spilling the Beans on Responsible Cafes

By Jo Horsley, General Manager and Bean Counter

So, we have invested hours of time, energy and research launching a new digital map and dashboard that better serves the community and drives more impact. Cafes can now add more information about what they are doing to save single-use plastic; how they are reducing food waste; their carbon footprint; managing their supply chain and giving back to the community. We have ditched the discount as the measure for joining and cafes can now update their profile with more information and be awarded a simple coffee bean rating for their actions. What is a coffee bean rating? Well, it’s a bit like chef’s hats, or stars (but more down to earth!).

Coffee lovers can visit our digital map and search for cafes based on their actions. For instance, a cafe with one coffee bean is taking a small action to reduce coffee cup waste through a cup library, compared to a gold coffee bean cafe that is doing everything from composting their food scraps, using renewable energy, charges a cup levy for a disposable cup (as opposed to discount) and to top it off they have a ‘Talky Table’ available for their community to sit at and make new friends.

We've been overwhelmed and overjoyed by the uptake from our ‘Keen Bean’ and cafes so far, it's been inspiring to realise we were not alone in rising from the trenches, ready to roll up our sleeves, and continue the war on waste! We have created some brew-tiful new posters, leaflets and guides to help cafes make the transitions needed to get their Coffee Bean rating up, which are all available to download for free in their cafe dashboard. But now we need YOU - yes you latte lovers! We need your help to support these small businesses who are making these positive changes and are proud to be building a better way to operate and highlight the cafes that are all froth and no substance. Visit your local cafe and if they are not registered you can show them how - it is super easy, check out our resources page for more info. 

To conclude, I think I will be wearing my Responsible Cafes hat for a few more years. Covid-19 has forced many people to review the direction of life and for now, mine will be making sure we make up for lost ground(s)! We have a HUGE fight on our hands. We need collaboration from organisations, government, businesses and the community so if you are interested in joining our movement then please get in touch. I would like this opportunity to give a latte thanks to our council partners who, without their financial support we could not make this ambitious project a reality. 

Lastly, our 5 tips on what to do if your cafe is not accepting reusables: 

1.   Take 5 and drink in, if you can! 

2.   Ask if the barista can do a contactless pour. E.g pour the coffee directly into the cup (not possible in QLD now unfortunately). 

3.   If this is not possible, ask for the coffee in a drink-in cup. Then pour the coffee into your own reusable cup! (Not possible in QLD now unfortunately).

4.   Failing option 2 or 3, go topless - do away with the pesky plastic lid but be careful not to burn yourself or spill en route.

5.   Speak to your cafe about a cup swap system - espresso yourself! There are a few out there. Check out Huskee Cup for some inspiration! 

P.S Beware of compostable cups! Many of them need a commercial composting facility to break down… but don’t get me started, that is an entire other post altogether! Instead check out our new guide to compostable packaging here.