Making a stand as a responsible Kiwi business, locally owned and operated Vivace Espresso has partnered with Innocent Packaging and Māia Health Foundation to introduce a fully commercially compostable takeaway coffee cup to its cafés nationwide from 27 February. The proceeds of beverages sold in the new cups will also help raise funds for vital healthcare redevelopment in Christchurch and enhancing regional health services for the South Island and lower North Island.
Vivace Espresso GM Paul Baker said the company chose to partner with Innocent Packaging and Māia Health Foundation because they are two Kiwi organisations committed to measurable change.
Vivace Espresso is also shaking up the recycling industry by introducing compostable cups in all its cafes nationwide via plant-based packaging company Innocent Packaging.
“The problem we face is that only 5 percent of consumers are committing to reusable cups and Vivace Espresso coffee is sold in approximately 1.3 million cups per year,” said Baker. “New Zealand can't recycle plastic, everything ends up in the landfill. We have two options, either create more plastic recycling facilities or compost infrastructure.”
While conversations around waste disposal are underway at council and government levels with Innocent Packaging consulting on infrastructure requirements, Baker said Vivace Espresso wanted to make changes to its environmental impact now.
“These new cups and lids will break down very fast, are not chemical based and not harmful to the ground they lie on. There is no ‘greenwashing’ going on here.” said Baker.
Innocent Packaging GM Fraser Hanson said working with Vivace Espresso was a no-brainer. “We want to work with the best, and Vivace Espresso is a long-standing premium coffee roaster and like us it’s 100 percent New Zealand owned and operated,” he said.
“For us it's about product stewardship - we are a responsible business and believe any responsible business should take responsibility for every aspect of their impact,” said Hanson.
The Vivace Espresso compostable cup will feature Māia Health Foundation branding and a QR code for two years, helping to spread their story and raise some much-needed funds to enhance regional health services. Canterbury-based Vivace Espresso, which supplies and distributes its coffee nationwide, will donate a portion of proceeds of each carton of cups sold back to Māia Health Foundation, approximately $10,000 per year.
