After water, coffee is the most popular drink worldwide with over 400 billion cups being consumed each year. It is enjoyed as part of a healthy, balanced diet and the pleasurable experience from coffee drinking plays a key role in many cultures around the world, providing an occasion for friends, family and colleagues to connect.

At work, as well as in other social arenas, the phrase “let’s have a cup of coffee” is often synonymous with “let’s have a conversation”.

Furthermore, coffee breaks offer a moment of ‘downtime’ in the workplace. Although further research is needed, one study of public workers in Denmark undergoing a large-scale merger found that the workers’ stress was relieved by forming “communities of coping” during coffee breaks with co-workers. These communities allowed for social interaction with fellow employees, allowing them to share both professional opinions and personal frustrations with their work.

What may initially seem like an unusual collaboration turns out to be a circular success story in practice. Vepa the furniture factory, a specialist in sustainable furniture, and Coffee Roastery Peeze have joined forces to give discarded jute coffee sacks a second life in the form of stylish chairs and barstools.

Peeze, a coffee roastery based in Arnhem and renowned for its fair and high-quality coffee, receives its coffee beans in sturdy jute sacks from sustainable plantations and cooperatives around the world. With the large volume of beans roasted annually, a significant amount of jute accumulates. This organic waste stream now serves as a valuable secondary raw material for Vepa to create new furniture.

Not only is coffee helping us function on Monday mornings, but also facilitating those agile working, touchdown zones within our workplace environment.

If you’re interested in exploring sustainability options for your workplace, please contact our team.