Sustainability at Roastar Pt. 1: Transparency & Education

So, what does "Transparency & Education" actually mean at Roastar? In short, it’s all about being honest and upfront with our customers by sharing the latest info.

Today's consumers are demanding more environmentally responsible packaging solutions, and in response, states are passing ambitious policies to reduce plastic use. Bioplastic materials and alternative packaging feedstock technologies have been evolving at lightning speed, but existing testing standards and disposal infrastructure are struggling to keep up. As things evolve, we'll always do our best to keep you updated so you make choices that are both eco-friendly and in line with your values.

Our mission and vision statements shape everything we do. We’re all about protecting the planet without putting a lid on creativity. Think of it as eco-friendly innovation — ensuring our solutions are as exciting as they are sustainable. It’s about finding that sweet spot where our mutual values and your creative spark meet. We’re dedicated to fostering an environment where sustainability and creativity thrive together, inspiring the next generation of makers and dreamers.

We don’t want to spill the (coffee) beans too much — but looking ahead, we’ve got some big plans to expand our educational outreach to make sustainability accessible and understood by all. In addition to our presentations at coffee-industry trade shows like Specialty Coffee Expo and Coffee Fest, we're aiming to offer virtual classes on sustainable packaging starting in spring 2025.

To make info on sustainability even more accessible, we’re updating our spec sheets and adding more content to our website. We'll be offering disposal labels for each of our products to clarify proper disposal methods for consumers. We're also partnering with local recycling plants and even a local baseball team to spread the word about best practices and improve community recycling rates.

Transparency isn’t just a buzzword for us—it’s a practice. We’re constantly updating our product descriptions and resources to keep you in the loop. We host interactive panels and customer meetings to answer your questions and provide tailored advice. We believe it’s important for our customers to learn about sustainability and how to leverage themselves in the free market as a sustainable brand, which is why we created a Guide to Sustainable Packaging. Through openness and transparency, we aim to build trust and loyalty with our customers so they feel confident in their decisions.

Educating folks about sustainability isn’t exactly a walk in the park. Changing consumer behavior is an ever-present challenge; It’s easy for all of us to get set in our ways and habits, so asking anyone to try something new or take extra steps is a tough sell. That's why we're all for creating incentives and clearly communicating the impact of taking sustainable actions, such as offering comparable pricing to customers. Internally, we encourage greener practices by sharing information about government-funded initiatives and rebates with employees.

We want you to feel like you’re part of the future (and trust us, it’s a pretty cool place to be). We encourage more people to adopt sustainable practices, providing education so they can avoid feeling overwhelmed or out of their comfort zones.

When it comes to sustainable packaging, we're continuously at the drawing board coming up with pioneering solutions. We debuted a peel-and-stick solution for tin cans and it's already made waves, winning the Coffee Fest "Best Product - Non Consumable" award three times!

Our efforts won't stop there. Stay tuned for innovative new products in the next year that not only meet market demands, but set new standards for sustainable packaging.

How do we measure the impact of our sustainability education efforts? A big part of it is tracking website traffic and resource usage. We keep a close eye on which web pages and educational resources are getting the most attention since it's pretty good indication that our audiences find them useful. We also gather feedback through our sustainability committee and direct communication channels; no suggestion is too small to be heard. By continuously monitoring and evaluating our practices, we ensure that we are always moving toward greater sustainability.

Finally, we’d like to offer some sage advice for smaller companies and roasters aiming to enhance their sustainability practices. Our biggest piece of advice is to think local. Partner with community organizations that share your values. Get familiar with your area's recycling, compost, and waste disposal services. Join us on our journey to grow and learn more about sustainability as your packaging partner. It’s not just about making sustainable choices—it’s about making those choices work for your business and community.

Stay tuned for the next installment in our series as we explore another key pillar of Roastar's sustainability strategy. Together, we’re not just packaging products; we’re building a community committed to making a positive impact on the planet.