SUSTAINABILITY

At Kava, sustainability isn't just a buzzword—it's the foundation of everything we do. From the farms where our beans are grown to the cup you hold in your hands, every decision is made with our planet and its people in mind.

Our Mission: To serve exceptional coffee while leaving the world better than we found it—one cup, one farmer, one action at a time.

ETHICAL SOURCING

We believe great coffee starts with great relationships. That's why we work directly with coffee farmers through long-term partnerships built on trust, transparency, and fair compensation.

Direct Trade Partnerships

We bypass traditional commodity markets to work directly with farmers and cooperatives. This ensures they receive significantly above fair-trade minimum prices—often 2-3 times the market rate. When farmers thrive, so does the quality of their coffee, and so does our planet.

Farm Investment Programs

Beyond paying premium prices, we invest in the future of coffee farming through:

  • Agricultural training programs focused on sustainable practices
  • Infrastructure improvements including processing equipment and storage facilities
  • Access to micro-financing for farm improvements
  • Educational scholarships for farmers' children
  • Healthcare initiatives for farming communities
100% Direct Trade
250+ Partner Farms
15 Countries

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Coffee cultivation can either harm or heal the environment. We choose healing. Our partner farms employ regenerative agriculture practices that restore soil health, protect biodiversity, and sequester carbon.

Shade-Grown Coffee

All our coffees come from shade-grown farms where coffee plants thrive under native tree canopies. This traditional method preserves forest ecosystems, provides habitat for migratory birds, prevents soil erosion, and produces superior coffee beans that develop slowly and develop complex flavors.

Water Conservation

Coffee processing is water-intensive, but our partners use innovative wet-processing systems that recycle water and prevent contamination of local water sources. On average, our farms use 80% less water than conventional processing methods.

Organic Practices

Over 70% of our coffee is certified organic, grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Instead, farmers use composting, natural pest control, and crop rotation to maintain healthy, productive farms.

Impact Statistics: Our partner farms have planted over 500,000 shade trees in the past five years, creating vital wildlife corridors and sequestering an estimated 12,000 tons of CO2 annually.

ZERO-WASTE OPERATIONS

We're committed to eliminating waste at every step of our operation—from roasting to serving.

Roastery Sustainability

  • Afterburner technology reduces emissions by 99%
  • Heat recovery systems reuse thermal energy
  • Coffee chaff is composted and returned to partner farms
  • 100% renewable energy powers our facilities
  • Green coffee arrives in reusable jute bags that are repurposed or recycled

Packaging Innovation

Our retail bags are made from plant-based, home-compostable materials. Our café cups are either compostable or made from recycled content. Lids are made from plant-based PLA. Even our shipping materials are plastic-free and recyclable.

In Our Cafés

  • Comprehensive composting and recycling programs
  • Discount incentives for customers who bring reusable cups
  • Used coffee grounds offered free to customers for gardening
  • Energy-efficient equipment and LED lighting throughout
  • Water filtration systems to eliminate plastic bottle waste
95% Waste Diversion Rate
Zero Landfill Goal by 2026

CARBON NEUTRALITY

We measure, reduce, and offset our carbon footprint across the entire supply chain.

Through energy efficiency, renewable energy use, and verified carbon offset projects in coffee-growing regions, we've achieved carbon neutral operations. But we're not stopping there—our goal is to become carbon negative by 2028.

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT

Sustainability extends beyond environmental concerns. It's about sustaining communities, cultures, and livelihoods.

  • We donate 1% of revenue to coffee-growing community development projects
  • We provide interest-free loans to farmers for sustainable infrastructure
  • We support gender equity initiatives in coffee farming communities
  • We invest in education programs from elementary through university level
  • We support healthcare facilities in remote farming regions

TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY

We publish an annual sustainability report detailing our impacts, achievements, and areas for improvement. Every bag of coffee includes information about origin, farmer, and our direct trade premium paid.

We welcome questions, feedback, and constructive criticism. Sustainability is a journey, not a destination, and we're committed to continuous improvement.

Our Promise: Every cup of Kava coffee represents a commitment to people and planet. When you choose Kava, you're not just choosing great coffee—you're choosing a better world.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Sustainability is a collective effort. Here's how you can contribute:

  • Bring a reusable cup to our cafés
  • Compost your used coffee grounds
  • Choose whole bean over single-serve pods
  • Share your sustainability story with us on social media
  • Visit our partner farms through our origin trip program

Together, we can prove that exceptional coffee and environmental responsibility aren't just compatible—they're inseparable.

— Growing Coffee, Nurturing Earth