In honor of National Coffee Day, we’re spotlighting one of our favorite things: coffee, and the companies working to make it better for people and the planet. The Veerless team runs on caffeine, so we know a good brew when we taste one. We also care deeply about how it’s sourced, produced, and packaged. From regenerative farming and circular packaging to transparent supply chains, these brands show that sustainability in coffee isn’t just possible. It’s already happening.
All of these brands meet the baseline standards you’d expect from sustainable coffee — like organic practices, ethical sourcing, and certifications that support farmers and ecosystems. What sets them apart is how they go beyond the basics to rethink how coffee is grown, packaged, and shared.
Peace Coffee stands out by combining environmental care with a strong commitment to people. Their compostable single-serve pods, made from plant-based materials, are fully biodegradable in industrial composting facilities, and they are planning to roll out more compostable products soon. Beyond pods, they offer whole beans and ground coffee, all sourced from organic, fair trade cooperatives run by small-scale farmers in eight countries. In addition, Peace Coffee is queer-owned and women-led and invests in supporting LGBTQ+ rights and gender justice through nonprofit partnerships. Plus, a portion of every purchase goes toward Carbon, Climate, and Coffee initiatives that help their farmer partners improve local infrastructure, support indigenous economies, and adopt regenerative farming techniques to boost crop health and yields. They are also certified B Corp, which reflects their wider commitment to responsible business.
2. &Back Coffee
&Back Coffee is a Canadian women-owned business focused on empowering women and supporting local communities in coffee-growing regions. They prioritize partnerships with women coffee farmers to promote economic growth and uplift communities. Climate Neutral Certified, &Back measures and offsets its carbon emissions and invests in tree conservation and reforestation projects in Peru and Kenya. Their packaging is Omnidegradable®, designed to biodegrade safely in all microbial environments without needing heat, light, water, or oxygen. Working directly with Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance Certified cooperatives, &Back supports better farming practices, safer working conditions, and sustainable land use. They also invest in agricultural training in Ecuador, introducing super-pollinating bees that improve coffee yield and offer farmers new income opportunities. Also a Certified B Corp, &Back partners with 1% for the Planet, donating a portion of revenue to environmental and socio-economic projects. They publish a detailed impact report twice a year and have been recognized with Impact Awards for Sustainability and Giving Back.
3. Rockin’ Cat Coffee & Tea Company
Rockin’ Cat Coffee & Tea Company is a B Corp based in Pittsburgh with a no-compromises approach to sustainability and transparency. All of their coffees are Fair Trade Certified and organic, as are their teas and every ingredient used in their café, from plant-based milks to flavored syrups. Their facility runs entirely on wind-generated electricity, and they measure and offset their carbon footprint through Gold Standard projects. Rockin’ Cat is also working toward zero waste and plastic-free operations. Their packaging is fully compostable, including the zippers, valves, and labels, and they use recyclable, reusable, or biodegradable materials for shipping. As a core member of the #BreakFreeFromPlastic movement, they back up their values with action. Rooted in their Pittsburgh community, they also create space for artists and designers, showing that sustainability can be both practical and creative
Summit Coffee treats sustainability as part of its core business, not just an add-on. They are Climate Neutral Certified and a member of 1% for the Planet, reflecting a commitment to measuring and offsetting emissions while supporting environmental and community-focused initiatives. Their sourcing model is built on long-term relationships with trusted coffee cooperatives and farmers, with a focus on transparency and traceability. Over 80 percent of their coffee is certified organic, and more than 60 percent comes from women producers. In their cafés, Summit diverts food waste to composting, uses compostable retail bags, and encourages reusable mugs and totes. They’ve also removed the surcharge for alternative milks, making lower-impact choices more accessible to customers.
5. Frinj
Frinj Coffee is reimagining what coffee production can look like — right here in California. They work with more than 65 farms across the state, helping growers plant healthy, organically grown coffee trees and offering training, tools, and support to build a truly local coffee supply chain. Inspired by the wine industry, Frinj focuses on how climate and location shape flavor, creating coffees that reflect California’s unique growing conditions. They also lead research on regenerative agriculture, partnering with groups like UC Davis and White Buffalo Land Trust to improve soil health, plant protective trees, and test new sustainable farming methods. Their farmer-first model ensures that growers earn more than half the retail price of their coffee, supporting long-term success and resilience.
Sustainability in coffee is about more than compostable packaging or certifications. It’s about how a company shows up for both people and the planet — from supporting farmers and investing in communities to reducing waste and emissions throughout their supply chains. These five companies go beyond the basics, each taking a different approach to making coffee more sustainable and more ethical, one cup at a time.
If you’re curious about how to make your own coffee routine more sustainable, check out this article from Earth911. You can also explore Better Grounds, a platform that curates organic, fair trade, and sustainably packaged coffees from across the country. Their flexible subscription options make it easy to explore new roasters that align with your values