BURLINGTON, MA, U.S. — Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. (Keurig), a leader in specialty coffee and innovative single serve brewing, has announced meaningful progress against its priority 2020 sustainability commitments.
In the Company’s newly released 2017 Sustainability Report, Keurig details the continued evolution of its sustainability programs to reduce its environmental footprint, improve the lives of coffee farmers, and positively impact local communities.
Keurig’s 2017 Sustainability Report details the significant improvements made in the following key areas:
- Achieved its 2020 water stewardship target three years ahead of schedule, restoring 6,154 million liters of water;
- Made significant progress to achieve 100% of K-Cup® pods are recyclable in Canada by the end of 2018 and in all of North America by the end of 2020;
- Closing in on achieving zero waste to landfill from operations in 2018, two years ahead of schedule;
- Engaged a cumulative 485,000 people in the Company’s supply chain to improve their lives since setting the target in 2014, through various initiatives that resulted in better farming practices, new sources of income and food and access to clean water; and
- Engaged 78 percent of employees in opportunities ranging from education and volunteerism to company-sponsored trips to coffee farms around the world.
“The progress we’ve made on our sustainability commitments is a clear example of how we are driving positive impact throughout our business and extending to the people and places we touch around the world,” said Monique Oxender, Keurig’s Chief Sustainability Officer.
“The initiatives we’ve implemented have resulted in better agricultural practices for our coffee farmers and improved their access to clean water; reduced waste and energy across our operations; and improved the relationships we have with our local communities.”
Earth
In working to reduce, reuse, recycle and restore, Keurig made great strides in reducing its environmental impact and achieved its target to restore 100% of water used in brewed beverages. Coming on the heels of significant emissions reductions achieved in 2016, the Company continues to meet environmental targets ahead of schedule.
With the help of key partners like The Nature Conservancy, Keurig has improved the quality and availability of water for people and nature. Partnering for environmental impact extends to the Company’s commitment to making K-Cup® pods fully recyclable by 2020. Keurig is working with organizations, including The Recycling Partnership, to ensure consistent and clear consumer education, resulting in better recycling behaviors, and The Closed Loop Fund to support the expansion of recycling infrastructure and sustainable manufacturing technologies that advance the circular economy.
Coffee
Keurig reaches coffee communities around the world, and has made it a top priority to improve the livelihoods of coffee farmers within its supply chain so they can better support their families, lead healthier lives and continue producing high-quality coffee.
Through unique initiatives and ongoing partnerships with organizations such as Root Capital, Catholic Relief Services and World Coffee Research, Keurig has improved the lives of more than 485,000 people across its coffee supply chain, reaching toward its goal to impact one million people. The company continues to elevate its commitment to responsibly source 100 percent of its coffee by 2020, working with certification and verification organizations, including Fair Trade, the Rainforest Alliance and UTZ.
Community
With a “Better Together” vision, Keurig is working toward engaging 100 percent of employees throughout the company – through volunteering, education and source trips to coffee farms – and ensuring each employee has the opportunity to make an impact in their local communities and around the world. With employees at the heart of the organization, 78 percent participated in opportunities to strengthen communities and logged more than 50,000 volunteer hours in our fiscal year 2017.
As we look ahead to our future as a Keurig Dr Pepper company, Keurig Canada will remain committed to a sustainable future we can all be proud of. We will evaluate our opportunities for both the short and long term over the coming months, while looking to an even more ambitious future.  We’ll also continue to find innovative ways to redefine the coffee experience and make a positive impact with our business, product, people, and relationships, from source to cup and beyond.
Learn more about Keurig’s sustainable efforts and impact at corp.Keurig.ca/Sustainability/Canada/Overview-ca. For more information about Keurig’s recycling journey, visit Keurig.ca/recyclable.
