Dunkin’ has taken a bold step towards sustainability in the coffee industry. The company has committed to sourcing 100% of its coffee responsibly by 2025 through its Drive-To Sustainability Program. This initiative aims to support coffee farmers and protect the environment while ensuring high-quality beans for customers.
Dunkin’ sources its coffee beans from various regions around the world, carefully selecting them based on their unique flavor profiles and characteristics. The company’s “tree-to-cup” process ensures quality control from the coffee farm to the customer’s cup. This approach allows Dunkin’ to maintain consistency in taste and quality across its international franchises.
As part of its sustainability efforts, Dunkin’ has joined The Sustainable Coffee Challenge, a collaborative initiative led by Conservation International. The company also contributes to World Coffee Research through sales of its Original Blend coffee beans. These partnerships demonstrate Dunkin’s commitment to making coffee a sustainable agricultural product and supporting the global coffee community.
Dunkin’s Commitment to Sustainability
Dunkin’ has launched ambitious initiatives to promote responsible coffee sourcing and environmental stewardship. The company is partnering with organizations to verify sustainability practices and improve conditions for coffee farmers globally.
Sustainability Goals and Policy
Dunkin’ has set a target to achieve 100% responsibly sourced coffee by 2025. This commitment is part of the Dunkin’ Drive-To Sustainability Program, which focuses on verification, partnerships, and improvement.
The company is collaborating with Enveritas, a non-profit sustainability assurance provider. Enveritas will audit Dunkin’s domestic coffee supply chain to ensure policy compliance.
Dunkin’ is working with its U.S. roasters and international licensees to elevate standards across its global operations. This effort aims to address systemic barriers and improve conditions for smallholder coffee growers.
Sustainable Coffee Challenge Partnership
Since 2018, Dunkin’ has participated in the Sustainable Coffee Challenge. This collaborative initiative is led by Conservation International and includes companies, governments, NGOs, and research institutions.
The challenge’s goal is to transition the coffee sector to full sustainability. In 2021, Dunkin’ committed $110,000 to become a premier-level sponsor of the initiative.
This partnership allows Dunkin’ to contribute to broader industry efforts. It also provides opportunities to learn from other participants and share best practices in sustainable coffee production.
International Licensees and Global Impact
Dunkin’ operates over 12,600 stores across 40 countries worldwide. The company’s sustainability efforts extend to its international franchises, despite independent day-to-day operations.
Dunkin’ is working with its international licensees to implement responsible sourcing practices. This global approach ensures consistency in sustainability standards across all markets.
The company’s commitment impacts coffee-growing communities around the world. By promoting responsible sourcing, Dunkin’ aims to improve the livelihoods of farmers and protect the environments where coffee is grown.
Sustainable Sourcing Strategies
Dunkin’ employs various strategies to ensure responsible and sustainable sourcing of its coffee beans. These approaches encompass verification processes, partnerships with key organizations, and technological advancements to improve sustainability throughout the supply chain.
Verification and Certification
Dunkin’ relies on third-party verification to validate its sustainably sourced coffee. The company partners with Enveritas, an independent non-profit organization, to assess and verify its coffee supply chain. This collaboration helps ensure transparency and credibility in Dunkin’s sourcing practices.
Rainforest Alliance certification is another key component of Dunkin’s sustainable sourcing strategy. This certification guarantees that coffee farms meet rigorous environmental and social standards. It promotes biodiversity conservation, improved livelihoods for farmers, and sustainable farm management practices.
Dunkin’ has set an ambitious goal to source 100% of its coffee responsibly by 2025. This commitment demonstrates the company’s dedication to ethical sourcing and sustainable agricultural practices.
Partnerships with Suppliers and Organizations
Dunkin’ collaborates with various organizations to enhance its sustainable sourcing efforts. The company works closely with Olam Food Ingredients, a major coffee supplier, to implement sustainable practices at the farm level.
World Coffee Research is another important partner for Dunkin’. This agricultural research organization focuses on improving coffee plant varieties and farming techniques. By supporting their work, Dunkin’ contributes to the long-term sustainability of coffee production.
Conservation International plays a crucial role in Dunkin’s sustainability initiatives. This partnership helps address environmental challenges in coffee-growing regions and promotes conservation efforts.
Technological Innovations and Improvement
Dunkin’ leverages technology to enhance its sustainable sourcing practices. The company utilizes data analytics and traceability systems to monitor its supply chain more effectively. This approach allows for better tracking of coffee from farm to cup.
Virtual learning journeys are implemented to educate Dunkin’ employees and stakeholders about sustainable coffee production. These digital experiences provide insights into farming practices, processing methods, and environmental considerations.
Agricultural science plays a vital role in Dunkin’s sustainability efforts. The company invests in research and development to improve coffee plant resilience, yield, and quality. This scientific approach helps address challenges posed by climate change and ensures a more sustainable future for coffee production.
Drive-to Sustainability Program
Dunkin’ has launched an ambitious initiative to responsibly source all of its coffee by 2025. This program aims to support coffee farming communities while ensuring sustainable practices throughout the supply chain.
Program Overview and Objectives
The Dunkin’ Drive-to Sustainability Program focuses on three key pillars: Verification, Partnerships, and Improvement. Dunkin’ has partnered with Enveritas, a non-profit organization, to verify and improve sustainability standards across its coffee supply chain.
The program’s main objective is to achieve 100% responsibly sourced coffee within the next two years. This involves auditing Dunkin’s domestic coffee supply and collaborating with US roasters and international licensees to ensure policy compliance.
Key performance indicators will be established to measure progress and drive continuous improvement in sustainable sourcing practices.
Engagement with Coffee Farming Families
Dunkin’ recognizes the importance of supporting coffee farmers and their communities. The program aims to make a tangible difference in the lives and livelihoods of smallholder coffee growers.
In collaboration with the Farmworker Training Project, Dunkin’ plans to train 350 coffee farming families. This initiative will focus on improving agricultural practices, increasing productivity, and enhancing the quality of coffee production.
By engaging directly with farming communities, Dunkin’ seeks to address systemic barriers that have historically prevented the application of proven solutions for ending poverty among smallholder coffee growers.
Focus on Economic Sustainability
The Drive-to Sustainability Program places a strong emphasis on ensuring economic sustainability for coffee farmers. This approach recognizes that environmental and social sustainability are intrinsically linked to economic viability.
Dunkin’ aims to create more stable and profitable conditions for coffee growers through fair pricing mechanisms and long-term purchasing commitments. The program will also explore opportunities to diversify income streams for farming families, reducing their vulnerability to market fluctuations.
By fostering economically sustainable practices, Dunkin’ seeks to create a more resilient coffee supply chain that benefits all stakeholders, from farmers to consumers.
Environmental and Social Initiatives
Dunkin’ has implemented several key programs to promote sustainability and support coffee-growing communities. These initiatives focus on environmental conservation, empowering women in the coffee industry, and providing education and training for farmworkers.
Conservation and Reforestation Efforts
Dunkin’ partners with One Tree Planted to combat deforestation in coffee-growing regions. This collaboration aims to plant trees and restore ecosystems damaged by unsustainable farming practices.
The company also works with local environmental stewards to implement sustainable farming techniques. These methods help reduce soil erosion and preserve water resources.
Dunkin’ encourages farmers to adopt shade-grown coffee cultivation. This practice maintains biodiversity and provides habitats for native wildlife.
Women’s Empowerment in Coffee
Dunkin’ supports Equal Origins, an organization dedicated to empowering women in the coffee supply chain. This initiative provides women with access to resources, training, and leadership opportunities.
The company sponsors workshops on financial literacy and business management for female coffee farmers. These programs help women develop skills to run successful farming operations.
Dunkin’ also promotes gender equality in decision-making roles within coffee cooperatives. This effort aims to increase women’s representation in leadership positions throughout the industry.
Educational Programs and Farmworker Training
Dunkin’ invests in education and training programs for coffee farmworkers. These initiatives focus on improving agricultural practices and increasing crop yields.
The company supports the Farmworker Training Project, which provides instruction on sustainable farming techniques. This program covers topics such as soil conservation, water management, and pest control.
Dunkin’ also offers scholarships for the children of coffee farmers. These educational opportunities help break the cycle of poverty in coffee-growing communities.
The company provides training on coffee quality assessment to farmworkers. This knowledge empowers farmers to produce higher-quality beans and potentially earn better prices for their crops.
Innovation in Product Packaging
Dunkin’ has made significant strides in improving its packaging to reduce environmental impact. The company has focused on replacing harmful materials with more sustainable alternatives.
Transition to Sustainable Packaging
Dunkin’ committed to replacing all polystyrene cups in its restaurants with double-walled paper cups by mid-2020. This transition aimed to create a more eco-friendly packaging solution for their beverages. The new paper cups are designed to maintain the same heat retention properties as their foam counterparts, ensuring customer satisfaction.
Dunkin’ also explored other sustainable packaging options for their food items. They introduced napkins made from 100% recycled materials and began testing recyclable lids for cold beverage cups.
Eliminating Foam Cups
The elimination of foam cups marked a major milestone in Dunkin’s sustainability efforts. This initiative was expected to remove approximately 1 billion foam cups from the waste stream annually. The company completed the transition to paper cups in early May 2020.
Dunkin’ chose to implement this change gradually, allowing customers time to adjust to the new cups. The move away from foam not only reduced environmental impact but also aligned with growing consumer preferences for more sustainable packaging options.
Coffee Growing and Quality Improvement
Dunkin’ prioritizes sustainable coffee production and quality enhancement through partnerships with farmers and industry organizations. The company focuses on improving crop yields and implementing responsible sourcing practices for key ingredients like palm oil.
Supporting Enhancements in Crop Yields
Dunkin’ collaborates with coffee farmers in Central and South America to improve crop yields and quality. The company uses 100% Arabica coffee beans, sourced primarily from countries like Honduras. Dunkin’ partners with World Coffee Research (WCR) to support agricultural advancements.
A portion of sales from Original Blend coffee beans sold to franchisees goes to WCR. This funding helps develop more resilient coffee varieties and sustainable farming techniques. The goal is to increase productivity while maintaining high-quality standards.
Dunkin’ also works with local farms to implement its Tree-to-Cup quality sourcing process. This approach ensures careful monitoring from cultivation to final product.
Sustainable Palm Oil Initiatives
Palm oil is a key ingredient in many Dunkin’ products. The company has committed to responsible sourcing practices for this commodity. Dunkin’ aims to use only sustainably sourced palm oil in its global operations.
To achieve this goal, Dunkin’ collaborates with suppliers and industry organizations. They work to ensure palm oil production doesn’t contribute to deforestation or harm local communities.
The company supports initiatives that promote sustainable palm oil cultivation. These efforts include improving farming practices and protecting biodiversity in palm oil-producing regions.
Dunkin’ regularly assesses its palm oil supply chain to verify compliance with sustainability standards. This ongoing process helps maintain transparency and drive continuous improvement in sourcing practices.
The Path Forward for Dunkin’ and Industry Partners
Dunkin’ is charting a course for more sustainable coffee sourcing through partnerships and collaboration. The company aims to address key sustainability issues while working with U.S. roasters and other industry leaders.
Collaboration with U.S. Coffee Roasters
Dunkin’ is teaming up with U.S. coffee roasters to improve sustainability practices. The company is sharing best practices for responsible sourcing with its roasting partners. This includes guidelines for reducing water usage and increasing fuel efficiency in the roasting process.
Dunkin’ is also encouraging roasters to adopt more eco-friendly packaging options. The goal is to minimize waste throughout the supply chain. Some roasters are experimenting with compostable bags and recyclable containers for green coffee beans.
Joint research initiatives are underway to develop drought-resistant coffee varieties. These new strains could help farmers adapt to changing climate conditions. Dunkin’ is funding field trials in key growing regions to test promising cultivars.
Complementary Brands and CSR
Dunkin’ is aligning its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts with complementary brands. The company is exploring synergies with Baskin-Robbins, its sister brand, to amplify sustainability impacts.
Joint supplier audits are being conducted to ensure ethical labor practices across shared vendors. This unified approach helps streamline compliance monitoring and reduces costs for both brands.
Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins are pooling resources to support coffee-growing communities. They are funding educational programs and healthcare initiatives in key sourcing regions. This collaborative effort aims to improve farmers’ quality of life and promote long-term sustainability.
The brands are also benchmarking their progress against industry leaders like Starbucks. This comparison helps identify areas for improvement and innovative sustainability solutions.