Sustainability

We believe that by acting in an environmentally, socially, and economically responsible manner, we can meet the needs of today while protecting the needs of our future. We operate our business under the following sustainability principles:

  • Safe products and packaging. This maximizes the use of renewable and/or recycled material, while other recommendations are presented to optimize the packaging-to-product ratio.
  • Long-term relationships. Especially with producers who consistently produce the best-quality product possible. The stability of these relationships gives producers the opportunity to reinvest in their own infrastructure, technology and communities.
  • Conserving energy and materials. We achieve this by reducing, recycling or eliminating waste and ecologically incompatible by-products.
  • Safe working environments that encourage total employee wellness.
  • Respected communities and their environment. We ensure they’re enhanced economically, socially, culturally and physically.

Water Wise Coffee®

Ultimately, our success depends on the success of the industry in delivering improved livelihoods for workers in countries of origin where our ingredients grow. As such, we are active participants in a number of industry sustainability initiatives, like Water Wise Coffee®.

Coffee farming and processing is difficult and time-consuming, but it’s a process many Ethiopians are proud to be a part of. The Water Wise Coffee® project is helping coffee producers in Ethiopia tackle the waste generated by wet mills by cleaning up the rivers that so many local people love and rely on. We do it in a sustainable, innovative way, using Vetiver grass and composting practices.

Water Wise Coffee® is our commitment to improving lives, ecology and economies at origin through projects that address water related issues.  Following the success of our first project in Ethiopia, Water Wise Coffee® is developing sustainability projects in Brazil in 2017.

Water Wise Coffee® is a program of TechnoServe, Inc. a non-profit organization headquartered at 1120 19th Street NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20036 that works with enterprising men and women in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries.  Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee Inc. is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by TechnoServe, Inc.

EcoCup™ Capsules

When we set out to launch our single serve RealCup® capsules, the goal was to address the two biggest complaints consumers had about plastic capsule single-serve coffee: Taste and Waste. From the beginning, our proprietary EcoCup from Mother Parkers Tea and CoffeeFlavor Max™ filter provided superior taste, but we knew that consumers were still uncomfortable with the waste from the single-serve brewing process.

With a leap forward in sustainable design, we launched the EcoCup® capsule that generates less waste than conventional, non-recyclable capsules. Available with all of our coffee, tea and allied products, you can simply snap, separate and sort the components, compost the grinds and recycle the outer plastic cup*.

We are constantly learning and improving the material and packaging choices for our RealCup® capsules and EcoCup® capsule formats because, just like our larger sustainability vision, we are in this for the long term.

*Cup is made of #6 plastic but such recycling facilities may not exist in your area. Appropriate composting facilities may not exist in your area.

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The Ethical Tea Partnership

Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP) is a sustainability program that works across the tea supply chain to achieve its vision of a thriving tea industry that is socially just and environmentally sustainable. ETP works independently and with a range of partner organizations (including Rainforest Alliance) to enable improvements for tea workers and the environment.

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The Rainforest Alliance

The Rainforest Alliance is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to conserving biodiversity such as sustainable agriculture. Tea farmers are provided with training on responsible management of tea crop production and tea trading business practices .Tea estates are audited to ensure compliance with the rigorous environmental, social and economic criteria required to earn Rainforest Alliance certification. By adhering to the standards for certification, tea farmers are helping to build a sustainable future for the livelihood of the workers, their families and the community.

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Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA)

OCIA International is one of the world’s oldest, largest and most trusted leaders in the organic certification industry. A non-profit, member-owned, agricultural organization, OCIA is dedicated to providing the highest quality organic certification services and access to global organic markets.

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USDA

The National Organic Program (NOP) in accordance with U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) develops national standards for organically produced agricultural products to assure consumers that agricultural products marketed as organic meet consistent, uniform standards.

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The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations

This community based organization is the world leader in global kosher certification with its most recognized and trusted kosher trademark.

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Anteaoxidant

In Canada, Green tea is recognized for a product claim related to a positive contribution to health and the maintenance of physical or mental performance.

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Fair Trade USA

Fair Trade USA, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, is the leading third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States. Fair Trade USA audits and certifies transactions between U.S. companies and their international suppliers to guarantee that the farmers and workers producing Fair Trade Certified goods are paid fair prices and wages, work in safe conditions, protect the environment and receive community development funds to empower and uplift their communities. Fair Trade USA educates consumers, brings new manufacturers and retailers into the Fair Trade system, and provides farmers with tools, training and resources to thrive as international businesspeople.

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Fairtrade Canada

Fairtrade is a global movement with a strong and active presence in Canada, represented by Fairtrade Canada.
Fairtrade is a movement for change that works directly with businesses, consumers and campaigners to make trade fair for farmers and workers. The international Fairtrade system represents the world's largest and most recognized fair trade system. We are a global organization working to secure a better deal for farmers and workers.

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Quality Assurance International

Quality Assurance International (QAI) is a leading USDA-accredited organic product certifying agency. QAI is committed to ensuring organic integrity at every link in the organic production chain - from the land the product is grown, to post harvest facilities, all the way to the retail store where products are purchased. QAI is dedicated to fostering organic food production to benefit both people and planet while providing educational outreach to the organic community and consumers.

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