The Green Bean Coffee House An exploration of the specialty coffee industry and sustainable business practices.

The Project: o Research existing sustainable business practices within the specialty coffee industry. o Using the business plan as my medium, create a “green” business model that incorporates the most effective sustainable business practices. o Explain the guiding principles, benefits and functioning examples of the sustainable practices utilized within the business plan.

The Research: o Primary Sources  Specialty coffee industry professionals  Existing businesses  Non-profit organizers o Secondary Sources  Scholarly articles  News articles  Co-op/business publications

Mission Buy, roast and sell the best coffees from around the world. Roast all coffee onsite to ensure that all coffee served per cup and in bulk has been artfully roasted in small batches, using a wide variety of varietals. The Green Bean and its entire staff will be dedicated to minimizing its carbon footprint by practicing zero waste, environmentally sustainable business operations.

Mission Cont. Maintain that the price paid for raw coffee is at least 20% over the fair trade minimum. Base all operations on a sustainable approach to business– one that uses the for-profit venture as a vehicle to promote sustainable international development, protect mother nature, and treats coffee as an intriguing and dynamic product, not simply a commodity.

Objectives Sales of $165k in the first year and more than $170k in the second. Maintain personnel costs less than $120k in the first two years. Become profitable in the beginning of the second year of operations. Ensure each year at least 5% of profits are invested into development of farms and communities where coffee is produced

Objectives Cont. Maintain sustainable operations at all costs. Integrate ourselves into the community as a model, educator, and consultant of green business in the area. Make the Green Bean Coffee House an establishment known for its connection to local arts, recreation, academia and the green movement.

How can a small business, in this case a coffee roaster and retailer, minimize the environmental impact of operations?

 Waste Reduction  Utilize china and dishware for all in-store orders  Serve all coffee to-go in 100% compostable/recyclable paper cups and bags  Offer mug discount program  Offer coffee-container discount program  Donate/Use all coffee for composting  In-store recycling program  Consumer education

 Greenhouse gas reduction  Purchasing 100% of energy from alternative sources  Carbon Offsetting  On-site roasting  Coffee Grind Van  Employee Commuting Assistance program

Selective coffee buying  Using knowledge of environmental issues and current research, purchase coffee from farms and cooperatives that meet specific environmental standards

How can a for-profit venture, in this case a coffee roaster and retailer, have a positive impact on society both locally and globally?

Practice ethical trading  Direct-trade  Fair Trade

Support of social-aid programs that work in coffee producing regions  Coffee Kids  Oxfam America  Global Exchange

Profit-Sharing and Microloans  Work directly with famers and cooperatives to develop local infrastructure

Local Community Activism  Work with other businesses in the community to set up recycling and composting programs, and other green initiatives.  Work with local Chamber of Commerce to set up a green business certification program with promotional incentives that recognize sustainable businesses  Consumer Education/Relations

What are the underlying principles of sustainable business?

Businesses should utilize all available means to minimize the environmental impact of operations. Businesses should respect all parties involved with the production and consumption of a given good. Businesses should utilize all available means to aid sustainable development in regions where a given product originates. Businesses should always operate as efficiently and frugally as possible. Sustainable Businesses should always remember that without healthy profits there is limited room for the expansion of sustainable practices.