The circular economy practices adopted by KAFEA TERRA cover a wide range of activities and are linked to the flow of materials across the value chain. Specifically, the following apply:
I. In the production process
II. In the operation of offices
III. In the operation of the warehouse
IV.In the coffee shops of customers
V. In the homes of final consumers
Analytically:
I. In the coffee factory different surplus materials are produced that are utilized. During the roasting of the coffee, the coffee peels are collected and sent for composting, in order to be used as a strengthening - improvement in the crops. During the production of the aluminum capsule, residues of aluminum foil are inserted into a compression press and then disposed of in a specialized carrier.
II. In all areas and departments of the Company there are recycling bins for waste separation. Employees are encouraged to use the respective bins for collection: batteries, lighting & lamps and small appliances of the company and even for waste that arises in their home environment.
Consumables used by office workers are fully recycled and recyclable. Organic waste is collected in the dining area of the facility and feeds the domestic birds raised in a special area outside the facility. Also, in the surrounding area, an olive grove and a vegetable orchard are maintained, the prunings, leaves and residues of which are composted.
III. In the warehouse, the new cartons for the disposal of the goods are made of recycled paper. Also, cartons and stretch film that can’t be used are fully recycled. For the utilization of the stretch film, the Company joined the circular economy initiative "In the loop" through which the remaining stretch film is delivered and used as raw material to produce recycled plastic bags from the company Thrace Group.
ΙV. In the customers' (B2B) coffee shops the company undertakes the maintenance and repair of the basic professional equipment required for the preparation of espresso coffee. The provided technical support achieves: increase of the life cycle of the machines up to 20 years, reduced energy consumption, reduced coffee and water waste, less required spare parts, reduced operating costs and reduced CO2 emissions due to lower production of new machines and less transport.
When repairing parts is not possible, worn spare parts are replaced with new ones. Worn materials are sent to authorized recycling companies. The same is occurred at the end of the life cycle of coffee machines and mills. When they are unsuitable for repair, their plastic, electronic and metal parts are separated and recycled separately.
For the repair of the equipment in the remote areas, where the physical presence of the company's technicians is not possible, training is carried out in 70 associates of the distribution network. The same applies to the partners who undertake the distribution of our products in the Ho.re.ca sector abroad. Partners are trained and supported through an open channel of communication.
With the application of video calls they are guided in an immediate time, in the solution of complex problems, saving time and resources required for the transfer of the equipment to the central Technical Department in Peania. For the best support of the collaborators, the Company proceeded in 2020, to produce 26 educational videos of technical content, which are an important electronic manual for solving the most common problems. In addition, an important goal is the training of coffee professionals, so that they acquire skills in solving simple problems and adopt best practices, avoiding impending harm.
V. The company through the operation of the Technical Department repairs home espresso machines, preventing consumers from their short replacement. Also, through the Iperespresso Capsules Recycling Program, the Company enables consumers to recycle their capsules either in bins that have been placed in various parts of the country or through a special recycling bag and sending them to the facilities in Peania. There, the capsules are collected and sent to a special recycling company that undertakes the separation and composting of the coffee residue as well as the recycling of the capsule body.
