Small Acts – Big Impact
Making our lives as sustainable as possible – we can all contribute to this. But what exactly does sustainability mean? And what can it achieve? We explore the term in more depth and start at the very beginning. We are following the same path at TEEKANNE, because we care about making the world a little better every day sip by sip with our commitment to sustainability.
The issue of the future
When you think of sustainability, you probably first think of the environment. When we talk about the sustainable use of resources, we mean that we do not consume more than can regrow. This ensures the preservation of nature – not only for us but also for the generations to come. A holistic approach to sustainability also includes the guarantee of social justice and economic security. In this way, our present needs will be met without endangering the future of others. This conviction forms the basis of our sustainability principles at TEEKANNE.
We are aware of our impact
As a family-owned company now managed by the fourth generation and with a long tradition, sustainability has always been a major concern for us and not a fashionable trend. We find ourselves in the particular situation of sourcing raw materials from over 150 suppliers in 50 different countries. We believe it is our responsibility not only to guarantee quality but also to respect strict social and environmental standards in the countries from which our raw materials originate. To ensure this, our approach incorporates several steps.
Partnerships take center stage
We maintain long-term partnerships with our suppliers which are based on mutual trust. This enables us to guarantee that our Code of Conduct is complied with. We can also ensure maximum transparency by producing our unique tea blends ourselves and not sourcing raw materials through wholesalers.
However, we do not want to leave our suppliers to fend for themselves when it comes to environmental protection measures, human rights and occupational safety. That is why the Rainforest Alliance supports us on the ground in the country of origin as an experienced partner in sustainability issues. A special project close to our hearts is the TEEKANNE Cherideo Purbat Play School – a preschool that we founded in Assam, India. It forms the basis for a safe school education for 50 local children.
Natural across the board
In addition to looking after our suppliers, we also care about our planet. Our goal is to continuously increase the sourcing of organic raw materials. That is why 3 out of 4 of our herbal tea ranges are already available in organic quality, along with selected green and black teas. And we are also thinking ahead here, e.g. about the issue of packaging. We deliberately avoid plastic wrap, and our teas come in 100% FSC-certified cardboard. In addition, all our locations have been climate-neutral since 2020. Amongst other things, this includes the supply of green electricity and the provision of a fleet of e-vehicles. In this way, we are moving step by step towards a green future!
Making the world a little bit better sip by sip
TEEKANNE lives and breathes the motto „Small Acts – Big Impact“ every day, because even the smallest action can have a great effect when added together with many others. You can easily integrate a sustainable lifestyle in your everyday life: whether it’s using a cloth bag when shopping, reducing the use of plastics, or only putting as much water in the kettle as you need when making tea. In addition, you can buy fruit and vegetables loose, use a bicycle or public transport from time to time instead of the car, recycle waste correctly, use reusable drinking bottles and cups for to-go drinks… You see, it can be so easy to make small actions with a big impact a part of your everyday life and thereby make the world a little bit better sip by sip. As a consumer, it’s in your power to make a difference and choose a sustainable lifestyle each and every day.