30 July 2024
Interview
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Tasty coffee at work at last. That's the promise of Orange Blend. Delicious, honest, pure coffee. Sourced from the best coffee plantations in the world including in Central America, Brazil and East Africa. Sustainability manager Albert Kemperman tells all about it!
.Why are you committed to sustainable business?
Sustainable business is not a question for me, but a belief and almost a way of life. I have been working in the coffee sector for about 20 years now, and from day one I have been fighting for a sustainable and above all fair coffee chain. In our market there is a lot of talk about sustainability, but what is really being contributed? I have seen up close how an initiative like the "Future Coffee Collective" of MVO Nederland proved that it can be done differently. In fact, that it really should be different. This initiative of like-minded people inspired me to keep working on a chain that actually contributes instead of having a negative impact. It may seem obvious, but it is certainly not. That is why I am proud that as Sustainability Manager at Orange Blend, I can continue to actively contribute to a better world; both here and in the countries of origin.
."We grow, roast and transport our coffee as sustainably as possible, because every bean counts."
At Orange Blend, we look at the entire chain and strive for equality in which each link gets what he or she deserves. We grow, roast and transport our coffee as sustainably as possible, because every bean counts. In doing so, we continue to believe in chain sustainability and the responsibility to work with the coffee farmers and our partners towards a sustainable circular future. So my motto is: Why do sustainable when you can be sustainable?
What, in your opinion, is needed to accelerate toward a sustainable society?
The key to a sustainable society lies in changing our mindset. Many companies see sustainable business primarily as a cost without concrete benefits. But that is a misconception. Take the coffee sector, for example: worldwide, 44% of coffee farmers live below the poverty line because they are structurally underpaid. This is not only bad for the farmers, but also causes a negative impact on the environment. In fact, almost half of CO2 emissions are produced in countries of origin. How can we expect farmers to become sustainable if they can't even support their families?"
At Orange Blend, we always opt for multi-year contracts and chain collaborations to give the farmer that extra security. It starts with paying fair prices. On top of that, we pay an impact premium that allows farmers to invest in sustainability, such as improved farming techniques and tree planting. This reduces CO2 emissions and improves crop quality, ultimately resulting in higher yields for the farmer. In short, a great example of a sustainable chain!
World-wide, we all drink about 700 billion cups of coffee a year, creating a huge mountain of waste for which our coffee sector is responsible. At Orange Blend, we take our responsibility seriously and choose sustainable and circular solutions such as sustainable packaging, carbon neutrally roasted coffee, circular solutions for coffee grounds and extending the life of our coffee machines. These are some of our initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint.
What do you contribute to a smarter, more sustainable and/or healthier Limburg?
In Limburg, I see more and more companies actively engaged in sustainability. It's not so much about what I contribute, but what we can contribute together to put Limburg on the map as the most sustainable province in the Netherlands. My dream? To launch, together with the Province of Limburg, the first waste-free coffee facility with social impact in the Netherlands. How great would that be?
"My dream? To launch, together with the Province of Limburg, the first waste-free coffee facility with social impact in the Netherlands."
Do you have any tips for other entrepreneurs?
Make sure sustainability is in your company's DNA. Show what you stand for and don't be discouraged by setbacks. Stay true to your course and your company's sustainability vision. Involve your employees in policy making and inform them of successes achieved and their impact. At Orange Blend, we want to be the challenger in our industry. We have turned this vision into an initiative that we will soon introduce, hoping to inspire the market to follow our example. That way, it will not be a question of if, but when the sustainability goals will be achieved.