At Klatch Coffee, we take Earth Day seriously, not only by implementing sustainable practices in our cafes and roastery, but also by supporting communities and coffee producers around the world. Earth Day may be one day a year, but at Klatch Coffee, sustainability is a daily practice. We encourage customers to bring their own cups with discounts as an incentive, and we also sell mugs and eco-totes to promote reusable goods. With Klatch Coffee, keeping our planet in mind is always on our minds.
The Third Wave of Coffee: Quality Meets Responsibility
Klatch Coffee has been in the industry for over thirty years, and has seen each wave of specialty coffee come and go. The first wave treated coffee as a commodity, focused on mass production and convenience with products such as instant coffee. The second wave emphasized cafe culture and espresso drinks, making coffee more of a social experience. The third wave sees coffee as a craft and art, with attention to flavor, origin, and sustainable practices. Third wave coffee roasters and shops are putting more value and emphasis on direct engagement with producers, transparency in sourcing and pricing, sustainable and ethical practices across the entire supply chain, and providing customers and baristas with knowledge on coffee origins, varietals, processing methods, and more.
Third wave practices also include experimenting with fermentation methods, highlighting unique varietals, and providing tasting experiences or educational workshops for customers. By understanding the story behind their coffee, consumers can make more informed and responsible choices, strengthening the link between enjoyment and sustainability.
Direct Trade and Sustainability in Sourcing
Direct trade is integral to third wave coffee, and also to Klatch Coffee’s philosophy. By purchasing directly from growers, we can ensure we’re paying above Fair Trade minimums in order to support the producers’ livelihoods, we can ensure our producer partners are following environmentally and socially responsible practices, and we can promote transparency in sourcing and tell the story behind every cup.
By focusing on relationships with individual farmers, we ensure that the coffee we serve is not only delicious, but also ethically sourced and supportive of the community. One partner we always love to highlight is Lucia Ortiz of Finca Las Mercedes in El Salvador! Through a community fund supported by our purchases, Lucia and her community have been able to build a women’s clinic, a school, and provide clean drinking water to her surrounding communities. These projects have improved access to healthcare and education, demonstrating a real-life example of the impact direct trade can have.
In addition to Finca Las Mercedes, we work with partners in various other countries as well, including Colombia, Panama, and more, who practice sustainable farming techniques. Some of these farms also implement processes such as shade-grown cultivation and soil conservation. These practices help preserve biodiversity, improve coffee quality, and reduce environmental impact, making every cup not just enjoyable, but responsible.
Ethical Decaffeination
We also ensure that our decaffeinated coffees are processed ethically as well, either with Swiss Water or Mountain Water processes. Not only are these methods 100% chemical free and thus not creating toxic waste, they’re also much more eco-friendly in terms of water preservation. These methods use water not sourced from coffee producing countries that already have less access to clean drinking water, and they reuse water in a closed-loop system. Coffee beans are soaked in water that is then filtered through activated carbon, thus removing the caffeine again and allowing the water to be reused on the next batch of beans. Compared to chemical decaffeination methods, which can require constant fresh water and produce toxic waste, Swiss Water and Mountain Water processes are far more environmentally sustainable, as they preserve natural resources while maintaining flavor quality.
Partnering with World Coffee Research
Klatch Coffee also proudly partners with World Coffee Research (WCR), a global nonprofit dedicated to safeguarding the coffee supply and improving the livelihoods of coffee-producing families. Through WCR, we contribute to research on coffee varietals that are more resilient to pests, diseases, and changing climates, sustainable farming practices and environmental stewardship, and preserving genetic diversity in coffee plants for the future.
Our VP of Operations, Shawn Hamilton, serves as Treasurer on the WCR board, reflecting our hands-on commitment to sustainability at every level of the coffee supply chain. By participating in these initiatives, we help ensure the long-term viability of coffee production globally while supporting farmers in adapting to climate challenges.
General Practices and Certifications
It can be difficult to produce coffee and packaging that is fully recyclable. We do what we can by making our disposable cold cups 100% recyclable, offering dine-in options at our stores, and creating unique packaging for limited time runs using reusable velvet bags. Additionally, we donate our burlap bags and coffee chaff within our local communities, with them oftentimes going to local gardens or farms for composting.
Many of our coffees are also Fair Trade USA certified and organic certified, giving customers peace of mind that their cup supports ethical labor practices and sustainable farming. By combining certified coffees with reusable packaging options and responsible disposal practices, we make it easier for customers to make environmentally conscious choices.
How You Can Help
Every coffee drinker can participate in sustainability efforts! Some simple steps include supporting roasters that are members of organizations like WCR, choosing unbleached, compostable filters when brewing at home, composting coffee grounds and responsibly disposing of pods, and being mindful of the environmental footprint of your coffee consumption.
Additional ways to contribute include bringing your own cup to earn discounts, purchasing reusable mugs or eco-totes, and choosing Fair Trade or organic certified coffees. Even small changes, like these daily choices, can add up to become a meaningful environmental impact that helps create healthier communities.
Earth Day is Every Day
By linking our coffee practices, community engagement, and environmental initiatives, Klatch Coffee invites you to celebrate Earth Day with us—not just today, but every day. Sustainability is not just a seasonal practice; it’s a commitment. By making informed choices about your coffee, you can be part of a global effort to protect the planet, one cup at a time.