The BrewHub roasting process operates on two main sources of energy: gas and electricity. As our business has expanded, so too has our consumption of these resources.
Committed to the Science Based Targets initiative, we are dedicated to reducing our Scope 1 and 2 emissions annually. If your company is striving for similar goals, you may find our journey enlightening, particularly as we delve into the more challenging aspects of emissions reduction.
The heart of our operation is our roaster, pivotal not only to the quality of our products but also to the stability of our business. Transitioning this essential piece of equipment towards renewable energy and electrification presents a unique challenge. While we have refrained from labelling our roaster as carbon neutral — a term that has become increasingly complex — we believe we are making significant progress. Here’s how we are addressing carbon emissions from our coffee roasting process, which could be relevant to any production operation:
1. Electricity
The primary source of our electricity is a 25Kw solar system installed on our warehouse roof. On cloudy days, we supplement this with 100% renewable energy purchased from the grid. Although slightly more expensive, the environmental benefits justify the cost.
2. Gas
We explored various ‘carbon neutral’ gas options and found that buying standard gas and offsetting it ourselves had the same impact as purchasing certified carbon neutral gas. To ensure the quality of our offsets, we chose to support the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor. This project, located in Australia, not only promotes biodiversity but has already restored 13,500 hectares of forest, with an ambitious goal of planting 100,000 hectares. It’s a project we can visit and see the impact firsthand, which for us, is crucial.
3. The Roaster
We opted for IMF brand roasters, made in Italy, known for their efficiency and excellent performance. Their Vortex heat transfer system recirculates heat through the system, enhancing the consistency of the roasting temperature and making them up to 47% more efficient than traditional models. This design also ensures the process is smoke-free.
4. Packaging
In terms of packaging (using the custom-built machine pictured below), we’ve made strategic decisions to minimise waste. We reduced the size of our bags to the minimum necessary to still package 1kg of coffee and standardised to one bag style. This year, we transitioned to the latest fully recyclable bags, keeping up with the evolving technology to ensure our coffee remains fresh while reducing environmental impact.BrewHub’s commitment to sustainability is a continual journey that involves innovative strategies and proactive decisions.
Through initiatives like utilising renewable energy, choosing efficient equipment, and adopting sustainable packaging, we are not only minimising our environmental footprint but also setting a benchmark in the industry. Our approach illustrates that significant reductions in carbon emissions are possible, even in industries as energy intensive as coffee roasting.
We hope our experience inspires other companies to implement similar sustainable practices in their operations.
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