We have a higher obligation to future generations to leave them a thriving planet, a planet on which life continues to be a daily miracle that lights our path, a planet on which our existence doesn’t threaten the future. A planet that is diverse, rich, colorful and amazing.
For more than 25 years we have worked on the urgent task of reducing our emissions, dealing with the effects of climate change, making efficient use of energy, maximizing the use of available resource, minimizing our impact, and promoting a circular economy developing the art of reducing, re-using, repairing, renovating and recycling.
At Buencafé for 25 years we’ve been using coffee bean husks as biomass to generate sustainable energy. Thanks to its caloric content, combined with other biomass material that coffee production generates, we have an alternative fuel and can reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. Approximately 97% of production waste and spent coffee grounds are being used as fuel.
This has allowed us to reduce the use of natural gas for the generation of water vapor by 36% and reduce CO2 emissions by 6,741 tons per year.
To achieve these reductions, Buencafé has had to make important investments like the acquisition of biomass ovens. The latest is a 2019 model.
Additionally, from the point of view of solid wastes, 35.8 tons/month of production wastes at Buencafé are delivered to recyclers.
One hundred percent of packaging material Buencafé sells in Colombia will be guaranteed responsible use by 2026.
Waste from the production process at Buencafé is used as fuel.
This has allowed us to reduce the use of natural has for steam generation by 36% and reduce CO2 emissions by 6,741 tons per year
Waste from the production process at Buencafé is delivered to manager for recycling
We use the Greenhouse Gas Measurement Protocol and ISO standards to measure our emissions at the plant and those associated with the product
Since more than 25 years at Buencafé we have been working on initiatives that have allowed us to manage the energy basket
Currently our energy sources are: fossil fuels (59%), biomass (25%) and electricity (16%).
Our energy basket is made up as follows: renewable energy: 36% and non-renewable: 64%
With biomass boilers, we reduced the use of natural gas for steam generation by 36% vs 2016, equivalent to 6,741 CO2eq/year
Buencafé has always had an interest in taking care of the planet in general and in de-carbonization in particular. Greenhouse gasses affect sustainability on the planet. Taking into account that our raw material is coffee, that it’s an agricultural product that’s sensitive to the effects of climate change, our worry and care for the environment prompted us to work on an energy transition plan more than two decades ago: We must strictly and efficiently use only those fuels required for the industry to prosper. We have to focus on revising our transition to alternative and renewable energies, like using biomass and solar energy.
Greenhouse gasses affect the climate and because of that the planet’s sustainability. Emissions in Colombia equate to 0.5% of all the emissions on the planet. The main contribution of the country is focusing on the preservation of the forests that can be promoted to big industry as a means of compensating for their emissions, by sponsoring the preservation of forests and promoting reforestation campaigns.
At Buencafé for the last decade we’ve relied on energy efficiency indicators and greenhouse gas emissions of our facility, and we’ve worked on initiatives that have allowed us to manage our energy profile. Currently our energy sources are: fossil fuels – 59%; biomass – 25%; and electricity – 16%. Our energy profile is: renewable energy – 36% and non-renewable – 64%. We maintain focus on the reduction of greenhouse gasses and on the use of processing coffee husks and spent coffee grounds as fuel.
Two of the initiatives that illustrate this effort are the operation of biomass ovens that allow the use of fossil fuels to be reduced, and the acquisition of technology for more efficient operations. In particular, an evaporative condenser for our refrigeration systems lets the machines work less and thereby improves the efficiency of the generation of cold environments. Thanks to these we are more efficient in the use of energy and in reducing CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.
With the biomass ovens, for example, we have reduced the use of natural gas for the generation of water vapor by 36% vs. 2016, the equivalent of 6,741tCO2eq/year.
At Buencafé we take advantage of rainwater in industrial services and we look for the possibility of recovering process water for the same purpose.
In 2021 we recovered 17,687 m3 of rainwater for industrial services.
Similarly, thanks to technological improvements, savings of 100 m3/day of water have been made.
We achieved like this , decrease for the 2021, more than 22.9 kg CO2eq per day.
An evaporative condenser that we installed in 2021 in our plant 5 refrigeration system and that allowed us to reduce 653 kgCO2eq daily.
On the path we’ve taken at Buencafé for the reduction of emissions and de-carbonization, following the variables and indicators has been key. Because of this, through steady analysis of the available technologies, we’ve found a platform that allows us to manage this data. For example: we proposed improving the natural gas consumption indicator for water vapor generation. We measured the efficiency of our ovens in real time on the platform and generated a digital twin with which we run simulations and follow operational adjustments. In this way, in 2021 we achieved a reduction of more than 22.9 kgCO2eq per day.
Additionally, we’re always looking for and investing in the latest technologies that allow us to make important reductions in greenhouse gasses. The most recent acquisition has been an evaporative condenser that was installed in plant five’s refrigeration system in 2021 and allowed us to reduce our daily CO2 output by 653eq.
Recovering the equivalent of packaging material placed into the Colombian market.
Through Resolution 1407 of 2018 dubbed REP (Extended Producer Responsibility), businesses must participate in a mechanism that guarantees appropriate use of quantities of packaging materials that are put into the Colombian market.
The regulation requires recovering 10% of the materials. For Buencafé that equates to 91.5 tons (10% of the 915 that has been put into the market, primarily glass). Buencafé joined the Repack collective, which is a group of businesses that generate wastes, as well as collection and recycling companies that guarantee the appropriate use of materials.
By September 2021, Buencafé had achieved the year’s objective of 13.7%, the equivalent of 123 tons and by the end of the year reached 184 tons. Buencafé goal for 2026 is the recovery of the equivalent of 100%.
At Buencafé we’ve been working on more sustainable packaging.
We’ve opened various work fronts along the path to creating sustainable environmental value:
Of the use of packaging materials, primarily plastic, cardboard and glass. Plastic: 11.1 tons less in 2021, reducing the weight of some bottle tops by 10% and unifying the caliber of thermal-shrink plastic trays to 2.5 mils. Thanks to a system of Chep Pallets (plastic pallets for various uses), in 2021 we reduced the amount of single-use wood used by approximately 138 tons.
Of more sustainable packaging materials. We are developing container options with tin, metal bottle caps and glass bottles that are 100% recyclable for those clients that want small runs of artisanal containers.
The recyclable percentage of materials, focusing particularly on bottle caps that can be 100% recyclable
Pilot projects with biodegradable packaging: with this strategy we advance projects with bottle caps and bags made from polylactic PLA-acid, and caps made from avocado pits.
We satisfy the needs of Muslim consumers with the continuous and consistent production of Halal products.
Buencafé garantiza que el café verde se produce, siguiendo prácticas que protegen el medio ambiente de acuerdo con las reglamentaciones de cada país (europea CE 834/2007 & CE 889/2008, americana NOP, Japonesa JAS, inglesa Soil Association, colombiana resolución 00187 y coreana), lo que significa su carácter orgánico inicial.
En Buencafé hemos sido conscientes de la sostenibilidad desde nuestro nacimiento, cuando el término apenas empezaba a tomar fuerza en el mundo.
En sus 49 años de historia, la fábrica ha tenido cuatro ampliaciones (1983, 1997, 2008 y 2019), ha actualizado y perfeccionado la tecnología de sus procesos productivos, ha elevado su producción diversificado e innovando el portafolio de productos, ha expandido sus fronteras comerciales y ha alcanzado altos reconocimientos y certificaciones nacionales e internacionales, tanto a nivel de sus productos como de los sistemas de gestión de calidad, inocuidad, gestión ambiental, seguridad y salud en el trabajo, entre otras. Buencafé fue la primera empresa de Colombia en certificarse en la ISO 14001 y hoy cuenta con 25 certificaciones.
La apuesta de Buencafé hoy es consolidar la sostenibilidad en cada iniciativa que proponemos, desde la fórmula de creación de valor sostenible en los tres aspectos esenciales: económico, social y ambiental.
“Vivir el optimismo como una fuerza transformadora para crear valor sostenible en el mundo del café” es el propósito superior que guía el trabajo diario de todos los que conformamos el equipo de Buencafé. Ese es el centro de nuestra cultura, de nuestras decisiones, de nuestra estrategia, de nuestro estilo, de nuestras conversaciones y relaciones, y así queremos inspirar a otros multiplicando nuestro impacto en todo lo que hacemos.
Los invito a conocer nuestra ruta de la sostenibilidad.
Estamos certificados en buenas prácticas GMP garantizando la integridad del proceso de fabricación de alimentos y su conformidad con los reglamentos de seguridad alimentaria para Buencafé
At Buencafé we have been conscious of sustainability since our beginning, when the term had just begun to be mentioned in the world.
Over our 49-year history, the factory has had four expansions (1983, 1997, 2008 and 2019). The technology behind production processes has been updated and perfected. Production has increased, diversifying and innovating the product portfolio andour commercial scope has expanded. We’ve achieved national and international certifications for our products and for our quality, safety, environmental management, and occupational health and safety management systems, among others. Buencafé was the first Colombian business certified in ISO 14001 and nowadays has 25 different certifications.
The commitment today is consolidating sustainability in each and every initiative we propose, tackling the creation of sustainable value in the three essential pillars: economic, social and environmental.
“Living optimism as a transformative force to create sustainable value in the world of coffee” is the highest goal that guides our daily actions. Is the center of our culture, our decisions, our strategy, our style, our conversations and relationships. Is how we inspire others and multiply the impact of everything we do.
I invite you to learn about our sustainability path.
With the BASC certification, we assure our clients and control entities of the confidence and security in our production chain, and in our overseeing and controlling of the production, packaging, and transportation processes of our product against illicit trafficking.
Supported in GFSI systems, recognized internationally, we produce safe, authentic and high-quality food products satisfying the needs of our clients and markets.
Our risk-based focus allows production of safe and high-quality products offering confidence and recognition for our clients.
Our safety system is based on the analysis of hazards and critical control points (APPCC), always incorporating Good Manufacturing Practices.
We offer reliable products to our clients, complying with the highest quality standards with which our products are processed by committed, responsible and highly trained personnel.
We guarantee that our product is processed with ecological conscientiousness, conserving the environment and natural resources.
At Buencafé we utilize work practices that continually reduce risks, always taking into account the safety of those we work with.
At Buencafé we produce socially responsible products contributing to the improvement of the quality of life for coffee producers, guaranteeing fair prices, good working conditions and a sustainable environment.
We support sustainable agriculture via sourcing and the transformation of Rainforest certified coffee.
Create access roads for the transportation of families, communities and coffee to population centers.
$380 USD per linear yard for the roads width.
Average length per section:
90 yardas / $34,200 USD.
Improve the rural schools infrastructure, such as bathrooms, kitchens, water filters, classrooms, sports infrastructure, libraries and furniture.
Starting from $10,000 USD.
Unite women around leadership equity, sustainability and
planet carrying. Promote the creation of nursery gardens of
native species trees for the reforestation of watersheds.
Donate trees: $1USD per tree.
5,000 units blocks.
Sponsor leadership activities.
At Buencafé we are aware of the environment. That’s why we’re aligned with the most rigorous organic agricultural standards which allows us to reach our different international markets, including the European market.
At Buencafé we are aware of the environment. That’s why we’re aligned with the most rigorous organic agricultural standards which allows us to reach our different international markets, including the Taiwanese market.
At Buencafé we are aware of the environment. That’s why we’re aligned with the most rigorous organic agricultural standards which allows us to reach our different international markets, including the South Korean market.
At Buencafé we are aware of the environment. That’s why we’re aligned with the most rigorous organic agricultural standards which allows us to reach our different international markets, including the Mexican market.
At Buencafé we are aware of the environment. That’s why we’re aligned with the most rigorous organic agricultural standards which allows us to reach our different international markets, including the Colombian market. At Buencafé we utilize green coffee which complies with the productive practices that protect the environment in accordance with Colombian regulations.
We utilize the geographic indication as a guaranty of origin guaranteeing the authenticity of the product and complying with the quality standards of Colombian coffee. In 2007, Colombian coffee was recognized by the European Union Commission as a protected geographical product. In 2013 the Swiss government conferred that same protection to Colombian Coffee.
We utilize a certificate of origin for 100% Colombian coffee. This seal is used to highlight the quality recognized in Colombian coffee
We satisfy the needs of the Jewish community with the continuous and consistent production of Kosher products.
At Buencafé we are aware of the environment. That’s why we’re aligned with the most rigorous organic agricultural standards which allows us to reach our different international markets, including the Japanese market.
At Buencafé we are aware of the environment. That’s why we’re aligned with the most rigorous organic agricultural standards which allows us to reach our different international markets, including the United States market.
The Colombian Coffee logo with its distinctive triangle is symbolic of the Colombian coffee producer who works hard, produces a quality product, does things right, and brings an authentic product to market.
Due to a shortage of teachers in rural areas, the FNC has developed a self-taught methodology to ensure the quality of education and a specific number of teachers according to the number of students.
Providing young people in rural areas access to higher education without having to travel to the city.
Providing support for high school students in making vocational choices and offering opportunities for technical programs that meet the needs required in the Buencafé factory’s area of influence.
Delivery of seeds and animals, food safety booklet and training for the management of orchards on their land and animal husbandry.
$300 USD per family, between 3-5 members.
To help transition the way rural families cook by burning wood into more safe way and healthier for them and their families.
800 USD for a kitchen for a family.
Access to drinking water for human consumption and improvement of rural supply. Guarantee the continuity of the water, adequate administration for the supply, through interventions and renewal of tanks, intakes, networks, individual purification, installation.
Water filters for families ($66USD per filter).
Customizable according to resources*
Give access to drinking water for children in rural schools with water filters.
Water filters for families ($66USD per filter).
Deliver eco-machinery for coffee washing process reducing the use of water and the contamination impact.
Tanque para el lavado del café:
$4,000 USD cada uno.
Tanque tina:
$750 USD cada uno.
With the NON GMO Project certificate, we offer our clients the guarantee that our products are not genetically modified at any point during processing from seed to market.
