Materials Use, Reuse & Reduction

Reducing our waste generation has always been an important piece of our goal to minimize our environmental footprint.
Nossa Familia Biodegradable Packaging

REUSE + RECYCLING AT THE ROASTERY

On the roastery side we work to reduce waste by:
  1. delivering coffee in durable, reusable containers to our cafes and wholesale clients;
  2. using boxes made with recycled content that are 100% recyclable;
  3. purchasing coffee bags that are biodegradable and made of renewable materials;
  4. creatively reusing label backing as packaging stuffing;
  5. reusing boxes and packaging materials we receive;
  6. donating burlap sacks to local community partners and gardens;
  7. giving away shipping pallets and grain-pro agricultural bags;
  8. and donating unsold coffee to local nonprofits.

Zero Waste Efforts

Cafe cup usage infographic - Nossa Familia Coffee

In August 2018, our Seven Corners Café pioneered a Zero Waste program where we not only had the $0.25 discount for bringing your own mug, but also an upcharge for getting a disposable to-go cup. Since introducing this new charge, we have seen a significant reduction in share of to-go cups being used in the café, as well as a dramatic increase in customers choosing to bring their own mugs due to the environmental initiative. On Earth Day 2019, April 22, we introduced the to-go cup upcharge at our other two Portland cafés.