How much does that cup of coffee you hand over the counter really cost? And we’re not just talking about the price tag for the customer, but the cost to the planet. Behind every latte and flat white is a whole chain of sourcing, packaging and energy consumption decisions that leave a mark, and it all adds up. Every time a disposable cup is used, it joins the 500 billion single-use cups discarded globally each year, most of which end up in landfill.
Consumers are taking notice. Today, many of them care about much more than the taste of their coffee; they also want to support businesses that do good for the planet too.
With this in mind, here are seven practical ways to make your coffee shop more sustainable, from small everyday swaps to smarter technology that gives you better control behind the scenes.
1. Encourage reusable cups
Single-use cups are one of the biggest sources of waste in coffee shops. Encouraging your customers to bring their own reusable cups is one of the simplest and easiest changes you can make.
- Offer a small discount or loyalty points as a thank you
- Put signs near your till or menu to remind people to bring their cup next time
- Train staff to ask if customers have a reusable cup before reaching for a paper one.
Many coffee shops, including PAUL, offer perks to customers who choose reusable options. The French bakery chain gives customers a 50p discount on takeaway hot drinks when they bring their own cup and contributes the same amount again to charity. The initiative has helped stop more than 10,000 cups a month from ending up in landfill – a great example of sustainability and customer engagement working hand in hand.
2. Switch to compostable or recyclable packaging
If you’re still using plastic containers, straws, or lids, now’s the time to switch.
- Choose compostable takeaway containers, cups and utensils
- Provide clearly labelled bins to encourage proper disposal
- Work with packaging suppliers that focus on sustainability.
Pret A Manger has taken major steps toward sustainability. It has a zero-landfill policy in stores and continues to prioritize back-of-house recycling. Pret’s packaging strategy focuses on three clear goals: making all packaging 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable; eliminating unnecessary single-use plastic like cutlery and straws; and helping customers recycle effectively with clear signage and improved bin systems.
3. Source local and sustainable ingredients
Sourcing your coffee, milk and baked goods more sustainably can reduce your environmental impact and make your menu more appealing.
- Opt for fair-trade, organic, or Rainforest Alliance-certified coffee beans
- Work with local dairy and bakery providers to reduce food miles
- Share stories about your suppliers with customers.
Starbucks works with over 400,000 coffee farmers in 30 countries and has a big focus on ethical sourcing. If you’re already making smart sourcing choices, make a point of telling your customers so they know they’re spending their money with a company that shares the same values as them.
4. Optimize inventory to reduce food waste
It’s easy to underestimate how much food and drink gets wasted each day. Just think about the milk that goes off before you use it, or the syrups that sit on the shelf too long. The good news is that you can take back control.
Make sure your software allows you to:
- Set up detailed recipes so you’re always using the right amount of ingredients
- Automatically deduct ingredients from inventory with each sale
- Monitor usage patterns and see which ingredients are being used (and which ones aren’t)
- Track expiry dates to make sure stock is used before it goes off.
This level of precision helps you avoid over ordering, prevent food spoilage, and keep popular ingredients in stock. Chains like PAUL, powered by LS Central, use this kind of functionality to manage recipes, reduce waste, and keep operations consistent across multiple locations.
5. Forecast demand more accurately
Over ordering stock leads to waste. Under ordering results in empty shelves, disappointed customers and missed sales. Smart, data-based forecasting tools can help you find the right balance.
- Use historical sales data to predict demand more accurately
- Adjust orders based on weather, day of the week, and seasonal patterns
- Avoid over ordering of perishables like milk, pastries, or fruit.
The advanced replenishment functionality in LS Central makes it possible for coffee chains to forecast demand and order the right amount of stock.
6. Save energy behind the scenes
Being a sustainable business also means thinking about energy usage in the kitchen, behind the counter and beyond.
- Choose energy efficient machines and appliances
- Use LED lighting and motion sensors in low-traffic areas
- Turn off equipment when not in use and schedule maintenance regularly.
Cafe and coffee chains are redesigning their stores with energy efficiency in mind, including motion-activated lighting and low-energy appliances. Even small tweaks like switching to efficient coffee brewers or maintaining refrigeration units can lead to significant cost and energy savings over time.
7. Share your progress with customers
Sustainability is something to be proud of. The more you talk about it, the more likely you are to find customers that connect with your brand.
- Highlight your efforts on your website, social media, and in-store signage
- Share real numbers like “20,000 cups saved” or “100kg of food waste saved from landfill”
- Add sustainability badges or info to your loyalty program or receipts.
Today’s customers care about where their money goes. Casa del Café, a popular coffee chain in Nicaragua, has built a strong following by combining great coffee with a community-first approach. Its commitments range from embracing sustainable practices in its stores to supporting educational programs and training farmers on better resource management. Take a cue from brands that regularly publish their sustainability efforts and share your own environmental targets and progress updates.
LS Central makes sustainable operations possible
Running a sustainable cafe or coffee shop takes more than good intentions. You need visibility, control, and the right systems to make it easy.
With LS Central, you can:
- Manage your inventory and recipes in one place
- Track ingredient usage and expiry dates
- Forecast demand and automate replenishment
- Reduce waste and run a more cost-effective operation
- Be consistent in the way you do business across all your locations.
Cafe and coffee chains like Casa del Café, PAUL, Pret A Manger Saudi Arabia, and Starbucks Philippines all rely on LS Central to streamline their operations and support their sustainability goals. Want to learn how we can help make your business even greener? Get in touch with our team.
