LONDON, UK – Costa Coffee was last week awarded ‘Corporate Citizen of the Year’ at the London Evening Standard Business Awards 2017.
Speaking about the awards George Osborne, Editor of the Evening Standard, explained that the awards form a “celebration of London’s enterprising spirit and continuing passion for innovation and progress”.
Costa operates more than 2,000 stores in the UK, with an additional c.1,000 overseas. As the growth strategy progresses, Costa continuously challenges employees to embed sustainable thinking throughout the business and ensure that energy and environmental impact is managed effectively.
The Evening Standard said: “[Costa has] cut energy consumption by 38% in recent years and in February declared that it would launch a scheme to recycle paper cups nationwide”.
Costa is also offering 25p off a hot or cold drink for customers that bring a reusable cup into stores.
In addition to embedding sustainable practice into everyday operations, Costa is committed to making a meaningful contribution to its customers and local communities.
Volunteering over 10,000 hours to community initiatives, both in and out of stores, Costa teams regularly take part in litter picks, literacy and education programmes and supporting local events amongst other activities.
The judges especially praised Costa for “doggedly looking at its own sustainability and leading the sector in its environmental activity” and felt that the company had “taken a great leap forward”.
Victoria Moorhouse, Head of Sustainability at Costa Coffee, said: “We’re delighted to receive this award and that Costa has been recognised for it’s efforts to incorporate sustainable practices into everyday business operations.
It’s very much part of the way we operate and our teams across the UK are really engaged in supporting the various initiatives, from cup recycling to community activities.”
To learn more about Costa, and parent company Whitbread’s, sustainability initiatives, please see the Whitbread 2016/17 Sustainability Report.
