27 May Global Recycling Day
Head Of Sales Grinders Coffee
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are three actions we all unconsciously undertake every day. My kids have only known there to be three bins. One for rubbish. One for recycling. One for garden waste. Fortunately, they don’t know what a backyard incinerator is and what it was used for !
As one of Australia’s leading coffee roasters, at Grinders Coffeewe’re committed to leading a sustainable future for the coffee industry. Our focus is to leave a positive legacy and ensuring minimal impact on the environment, working responsibly in all we do.
Some of the ways we are doing this is working towards a future of 100% recyclable coffee cups and working with Planet Ark on recyclability of coffee grounds. We are also increasing our use of renewable energy across all our manufacturing sites, and developing targets in line with global best practice.
But to achieve real progress, we need to work together and get alignment of companies, governments and communities to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
As part of #GlobalRecyclingDay 2019, we should stop and reflect on how far we’ve evolved in our personal and professional lives to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. In the early 80’s I remember my Dad coming home and telling me about CFC gases and how they were ‘burning a hole in the Ozone layer’. First question, what’s the Ozone Layer? Second question, what’s it got to do with your work and us?
In 1985 the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layerwas agreed. Within only 2 years, yes only 2 years there was international agreement by 197 countries to ratify under the Montreal Protocol the phase out of ozone depleting substances such as CFC’s. These were found in manufacturers products we all use every day such as aerosols and refrigerant systems.
Australia has completed its objective to eradicate CFC’s and HCFC’s 4 years ahead of the agreed target and as a result saved 40 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions since 1995.
In my industry we have similar challenges to what my Dad needed to personally support in his industry. We all need to Reduce the use of power in espresso machines, Reuse ground coffee and Recycle Take Away Cups.
As an active Committee Member for the Australian Coffee Traders Associationand as part of #GlobalRecyclingDay 2019, I’m challenging everyone working in and supplying our industry, within the next 2 years to find a way together to recycle take away cups. If 197 countries across numerous industries can find a way, I’m sure 1 industry in 1 country can.