Sustainability
Sustainability is not an add-on for us, it’s part of how we do business. From how we source our ingredients to how we produce and deliver our products, we are committed to making choices that respect both people and the planet. As a proudly South African brand rooted in rooibos, we understand the importance of protecting the environments and communities that make what we do possible, and we are continuously working to reduce our impact and do better.
red espresso® is carbon neutral
We offset 100% of our annual carbon emissions with the ReCarbon Hermanus project that diverts municipal green waste from landfills into organically certified compost that is used in a range of environmentally sustainable agricultural and gardening activities.
We practice sustainable farming
In 2009, our primary farm was awarded the highest biodiversity rating in the Rooibos industry for farming as close to nature as possible. This means that our tea is grown in a sustainable, environmentally responsible way that has minimal impact on the biodiversity of the region. Although it takes much longer, our mountain tea grows naturally without irrigation. We also plant biodiversity corridors of proteas in between our tea fields to encourage bees to cross-pollinate. We follow organic practices and do not use herbicides, pesticides or irrigation.
Our cocoa is Rainforest Alliance certified
Our cocoa in our Gourmet Hot Chocolate Range is Rainforest Alliance Certified creating a better future for people and nature.
We are committed to Ethical Trade
We are a proud member of Sedex, one of the world’s leading ethical trade membership organizations. Being a member of Sedex means we are committed to constantly improving our responsible and sustainable business practices throughout our global supply chain with a particular focus on Environmental practices, Labour and Health and Safety Standards and Business Ethics. Our Sedex Company Reference number is ZC: 414045947
We plant trees
We are proud partners with Greenpop helping to restore ecosystems through forest restoration and more. In 2010 we partnered with CapeNature to help save the highly endangered Clanwilliam Cedar tree (after which the Cederberg was named) from extinction. Through our Red Cedar Project, we planted more than 5000 Cedars back into the Cederberg.
Our tea is ethically sourced
We pay a premium price for our tea to ensure that there is sufficient compensation for all who participate in growing and harvesting our Rooibos.
Red HQ, the home of red espresso®, is eco-friendly
Red HQ, situated in Paarl in the Cape Winelands, is home to all our manufacturing, product and drinks innovation, packaging design and marketing. The building was designed to be as energy efficient as possible. 70% of our annual electricity usage is powered by the sun through the use of solar panels installed on our rooves. 22% of our annual water usage is rainwater that we capture in rainwater tanks around our building. Insulated building blocks and double glazing moderate the temperature so we can minimize our use of air conditioning. Large windows allow for natural light where possible.
Seeds of Hope Subsistence Farming Project
Since 2014 we have been supporting small scale Rooibos subsistence farmers in the mission town of Heuningvlei by providing them with Rooibos seeds, assisting with ploughing their land, and helping transport their harvest to market. In addition, we offer them training in best practice Rooibos cultivation methods to improve yields and quality. At the end of each production cycle, we guarantee these farmers a consistent premium price for their tea, independent of supply or market fluctuations. Since its inception, Seeds of Hope has grown steadily. Today, we collaborate with more than 20 subsistence farmers and have collectively purchased over 100 tons of Rooibos from them.
Our paper is Forest Stewardship Council certified
Our paper packaging is printed on FSC certified paper which means that it has been sourced in an environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically viable manner.
We Support Ground up
Since 2016 we have been a proud sponsor of the Ground UP Project which trains previously disadvantaged people to become professional baristas and finds work for them in the coffee and hospitality industries. More than just a cup of coffee, this is a cup of hope. By partnering with the unemployed and training them to be professional baristas, we change lives from the Ground UP. red espresso® is a proud sponsor of the Ground UP Project (a Learn to Earn Initiative) which, in its first year of operating helped 45 previously-unemployed people to embark on careers in the coffee and hospitality industries.
We help in the fight against cancer
Since 2015 we have been donating funds every month to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) for research and community projects that help those affected by the disease. red espresso® was selected by CANSA, an NGO committed to fighting cancer, as a “smart choice” for consumers due to its multiple health benefits that have been linked to cancer prevention.
We help make dreams come true
Since 2010 we have sponsored the Reach for a Dream Foundation to fulfil the dreams of children faced with life-threatening illnesses. Reach for a Dream fulfils in excess of 1,200 dreams every year and through their hospital initiatives, they reach a further 30,000 South African children. Their message is one of hope and inspiration. By creating happy moments in the lives of severely ill children they show that tomorrow is worth fighting for.