*for information on the badges, visit https://www.sustainably.eco/#/badges
About the Member:
The Tea Room is a zero consumer waste, student-run coffee shop on Queen’s University campus. Since its establishment in 2006, the organization has been founded on three pillars: Environmental Responsibility, Community Education, and Fiscal Sustainability. The cafe specializes in loose-leaf tea, coffee, and espresso while offering a variety of wholesome lunch and snack options.
Click here for the Tea Room's full Sustainability Case Study!
Highlighted Sustainability Projects:
Current:
The Tea Room had an amazing 49% reduction on its carbon footprint since 2015
Reduced its use of natural gas (84%), and electricity (16%) since its baseline. Also, bunker fuel has not been used since 2017
2019:
Queens introduced sub metering in 2019 allowing a narrower range of data to be used which enables more granularity in monitoring
2018:
Provides incentives to customers to bring reusables: 15% off drinks with a travel mug, 15% off bagels and $1 off sandwiches with tupperware
2017:
Upgraded lighting to LED
Reduced 4% of GHGs
2016:
All Tea Room products and packaging are biodegradable, and linked to a commercial composting waste flow (e.g. plant-based "plastic" lids)
Power Down for the Planet educational campaign continued to promote how to live more sustainably at home (ongoing).
Partnership with Queen’s University Experimental Sustainability Team to review and improve business sustainability (ongoing)
2015:
Published an internal Compost and Waste Management Report.
Contracted thinkBIG consulting on sustainable business and published a recommendations report.
The Tea Room formed a partnership with the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation's Corporate Carbon Neutral Program
2014:
Inauguration of the annual Teas for Trees campaign (ongoing)
2012:
Green Globe Award - Waste Reduction from CEEC
2011:
Official zero consumer waste status reached, all products and packaging were diverted from landfill.
2009:
Promotional partnership with the annual Commerce and Engineering Environmental Conference (CEEC) (ongoing)
Greener and Cleaner educational campaign
2008:
The Tea Room has maintained a Bullfrog Power membership since 2008.
Weekly Planet Earth screening in the Tea Room in association with Students Taking Responsible Initiatives for a Viable Environment (STRIVE)
2007:
Sustainable business class talk at KCVI
Development of HATCH metric system to measure water and energy cosumption
Introduction of the Tea Room Environmental Education Library (ongoing)
2006:
Vermicomposting system on site
Introduction of biodegradable cups and packaging
Selling Fairtrade tea and coffee and locally sourced food items (ongoing)
Partnership with a coffee co-op in Guatemala (ongoing)
Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
*In 2019, Queens introduced sub metering which allowed a narrower range of data to be used.