Innovation

Reunion Island Coffee Roasters provides customers with more than just the highest quality cup of coffee. By creating a business model with sustainability at its core, the company guarantees that each step of the process, from sourcing to roasting to disposal, is executed in a way that promotes longevity of the company and, more importantly, the planet.

The concept for this innovative business model emerged after Adam Pesce, Director of Coffee, traveled to Guatemala in 2005 in search of the world’s finest coffee. Upon his arrival, he discovered more than just coffee. After witnessing firsthand the level of exploitation that was occurring in the coffee industry, he immediately knew that Reunion Island Coffee Roasters would do things differently. The company embarked on a mission to become more sustainable by first establishing direct trade partnerships and purchasing from suppliers that were Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance certified. Next, Reunion Island Coffee Roasters looked at its own operations in Canada to identify ways to focus on sustainability in the remaining areas of its business model. This included switching to 100% renewable energy for its roastery and coffee bar, using biodegradable cups made with fully renewable resources, and utilizing innovative recycling and waste management programs.

Along the way, Reunion Island Coffee Roasters has worked on many initiatives and incorporated new technologies to promote social and environmental development. Through the Colombia Las Hermosas project, the company funds important projects in the South Tolima region, including school renovations, computer labs, and improved agricultural infrastructure. Reunion Island Coffee Roasters also introduced the Farm Development Fund to help farmers pay for projects essential for their existence. Another important initiative is the Sierra Verde project, where for every pound of Sierra Verde coffee sold, two trees are planted in a developing coffee-producing country through Trees for the Future. These initiatives ensure that the farmers and communities that supply the coffee have the resources and skills necessary to continually produce the best quality coffee, thus ensuring their primary source of livelihood.

Inspiration

The inspiration for Reunion Island Coffee Roasters’ sustainable business model originated following Adam’s trip to Guatemala. The level of human and environmental exploitation that Adam witnessed when visiting the farmers brought him to the realization that the coffee industry will not survive long-term given its current processes. To play a small part in fixing the problem and guaranteeing long-term sustainable coffee sourcing, Reunion Island Coffee Roasters established direct trade partnerships and purchases from suppliers that are Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance certified.

Adam’s idea of long-term sustainability did not stop there. Inspired to make a change to protect the planet and ensure the success of Reunion Island Coffee Roasters for years to come, he incorporated the idea of sustainability into the company’s entire business model.

Overall impact

Reunion Island Coffee Roasters is pioneering a path to a more sustainable future of coffee. Through the company’s work with suppliers, NGOs, and local coffee-growing communities, the company contributes to the elimination of extreme poverty in the areas in which it operates. This is done by paying farmers a fair wage and engaging in numerous farmer and community initiatives aimed at improving the effectiveness of their farming operations and the quality of life. By building meaningful relationships with farmers that surpass the traditional economic exchange, Reunion Island Coffee Roasters guarantees that suppliers will always prioritize the delivery of quality coffee to the company.

The overall impact of the sustainable business model also aids in the long-term endurance of the environment. By purchasing from farmers who use sustainable production and by providing funds for improvements in their agricultural infrastructure, the company promotes environmental sustainability. In its operations in Canada, Reunion Island Coffee Roasters also helps in the development of a greener planet by using 100% renewable energy, reducing waste by using biodegradable coffee cups, and utilizing innovative recycling and waste management programs.

Business benefit

The sustainable business model has benefited Reunion Island Coffee Roasters in various ways. The company has built strong relationships with farmers, ensuring a secure and long-lasting source of quality coffee, the main product for the company. Financially, the innovation has resulted in lower operating costs in the roastery and coffee bar, enabling the company to invest the savings in other sustainable ventures such as purchasing a Loring Smart Roaster, the most fuel-efficient roaster on the market. The sustainable business model encourages innovative thinking since business cannot be done using the typical industry methodologies, and can be viewed as a competitive advantage. Many people are now aware that the coffee cups used by large coffee chains are non-recyclable. By using compostable coffee cups, Reunion Island Coffee Roasters has differentiated itself from competitors, which not only leads to a positive financial impact by increasing sales, but also reduces waste, resulting in a positive environmental impact.

Social and environmental benefit

Certified as a B Corporation, Reunion Island Coffee Roasters operates in a way that meets demanding social and environmental standards. The company’s sustainable sourcing tremendously benefits the lives of the farmers and the community from which it sources coffee. Adam personally visits the farms from which the company’s coffee is sourced and ensures the farmers are paid a fair wage. The company also created and continuously engages in a multitude of initiatives to support the communities, including donating funds to support local projects such as school renovations, computer labs, and improved agricultural infrastructure; helping tribal farmers earn a fair wage by bypassing the middleman; assisting in the funding of important farm equipment; and partnering with local NGOs in coffee-growing regions.

Reunion Island Coffee Roasters understands that if it wants to provide customers with the best quality coffee for years to come, it has to take a serious stance on operating in a way that does not harm the environment. The company’s sustainable business model benefits the environment by using 100% renewable power in its coffee bar and roastery, using biodegradable cups, and utilizing innovative recycling and waste management programs. This significantly reduces the amount of non-green energy used and the amount of waste going to landfills. Through Reunion Island Coffee Roasters’ work with Trees for the Future, it has planted close to 800,000 trees. That’s equivalent to taking approximately 4,000 cars off the road! Talk about a breath of fresh air.

Interview

Adam Pesce, Director of Coffee