Startups 100 company celebrates B-Corp certification

London-based Presto Coffee, the ethical coffee startup that ranked in our 2021 Startups 100 index, has become one of only a handful of British coffee producers to achieve certified B Corporation status.

The new certification is a major milestone in the company’s ethical credentials. To be a B Corp, a firm must legally consider the impact their decisions have on workers, customers, suppliers, community and the environment by using business in a positive way and outside of shareholder profit.

Following a thorough submission process, the startup was awarded B Corp status. It received an impressive 92.3 B Impact Score for its social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.

Last year, Presto Coffee joined the list of exciting sustainable startups that made our Startups 100 index. The index celebrates the most disruptive new businesses in the UK, in recognition of their innovation and stellar growth.

Bean there, done that

Since its founding in 2018, Presto has been on a mission to shake up the coffee industry.

Presto Coffee currently works with organisations like the Rainforest Alliance to combat labour exploitation in coffee production and ensure its farmers are being given the best possible salary and training.

But the startup is also working to combat the environmental impact of coffee production, a lesser-known problem within the industry.

Presto coffee beans are air roasted (in the UK’s most sustainable roastery) instead of drum roasted to minimise waste heat and carbon emissions. Air roasting uses a third less energy comparatively yet only 1% of all the world’s coffee brands are air roasted.

Every Presto product also now has 100% kerbside recyclable packaging, making it simple for customers to do their bit for the environment.

Presto also currently supports 1% For The Planet, an international organisation whose members contribute at least one percent of their annual sales to environmental causes.

Sustainability in 2022

Presto Coffee is just one of a number of exciting new startups that are taking steps to strengthen their resilience to climate impacts, reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and support the UK government’s sustainable policies.

Earlier this month, we published our Business Ideas for 2022 campaign, which looks at the trends, sectors and business ideas that could make a huge impact in 2022.

We highlighted Sustainability as one of the key trends that boomed as a result of growing consumer awareness about the climate crisis.

In fact, a 2021 consumer report by Mastercard found that 62% of adults surveyed from across the world believe it’s important for companies to behave in a sustainable and eco-friendly way.

Environmental events like last year’s COP26 global environmental summit, have also helped to highlight the business case for reducing carbon emissions.

Electric vehicle production, waste consultancies, and vegan restaurants are all new business ideas and opportunities that look set to keep on growing in 2022.