Workin On It
![Portland Maine Skyline](http://www.tandemcoffee.com/cdn/shop/files/Working-On-It-Portlandx4500_1600x.jpg?v=1703164539)
![Portland Maine Skyline Mobile](http://www.tandemcoffee.com/cdn/shop/files/Working-On-It-PortlandxSQjpg_1600x.jpg?v=1703164563)
What is this page?
In the vast world of online commerce, sustainability pages are a common sight, where even industry giants tout their environmental bona fides. Our friendly web strategy company suggested we do one as well. Yet, the admittedly inessential existence of Tandem itself raises environmental questions. Nonetheless, we offer a candid account of our attempts at taking the sting out of running a for-profit business this day in age. We cannot guarantee the efficacy of any of this. All we can guarantee is that we’re workin’ on it.
![Two people, one holding a folder, standing in front of a red brick building with a classical design, featuring symmetrical windows and a central door.](http://www.tandemcoffee.com/cdn/shop/files/Working-On-HowWeStarted_1600x.jpg?v=1698941727)
How we started
Milk: We get all of our milk for both cafes from Hatchland in glass bottles that get returned and re-used.
Composting: Having come from Blue Bottle, composting was a no brainer when we first opened Tandem. Luckily a couple of curbside composting companies had just started up around the time that Tandem opened. We are currently using AgriCycle & Garbage to Garden
Reusable Cup Discount: 25¢ discount for reusable cups - While this was a nice idea it did not do much to entice people to bring their own cups. Back in 2012 - even with the 25¢ discount - we were still serving 70% of our drinks in single-use cups. What a bummer.
2015 - Compostable Cups
![A white disposable coffee cup with the text "workin' on it" and an eco-friendly message on a marble table against a wooden panel background.](http://www.tandemcoffee.com/cdn/shop/files/Working-On-It-Compostable-cups_1600x.jpg?v=1698941724)
![A brick building with a sign reading "tandem coffee roasters" and a bicycle symbol, with a blue car parked in front.](http://www.tandemcoffee.com/cdn/shop/files/Working-On-It-Car-Charger_1600x.jpg?v=1698941732)
2018 - Installed a car charger at the Roastery
2018 - Got rid of plastic straws
![Three metal straws—two silver, one black—in a clear glass against a soft blue background, casting elongated shadows.](http://www.tandemcoffee.com/cdn/shop/files/Working-On-It-Resuable-Straws_1600x.jpg?v=1698941727)
![A person pours coffee into a dark blue travel mug branded with "tandem coffee" featuring a bicycle logo, held in a tattooed hand. only the person's torso and arms are visible.](http://www.tandemcoffee.com/cdn/shop/files/Working-On-It-Resuable-Cup_1600x.jpg?v=1698941718)
2019 - Single Use Cup Charge
![Line graph titled "percentage of drink servings in god awful round 1 (2019-2020) and round 2 (2022-2023)," displaying fluctuating percentages over months with icons of a cup and bicycle.](http://www.tandemcoffee.com/cdn/shop/files/Tandem_Graph_2023_737f9502-ae8e-4040-9fec-5e85aad9858e_1600x.png?v=1698941741)
![Stacks of grainpro bags and a box labeled "ecotact" in a warehouse setting, used for storing agricultural products to preserve freshness and prevent spoilage.](http://www.tandemcoffee.com/cdn/shop/files/Working-On-It-Grain-Pro_1600x.jpg?v=1698941781)
2019 - Recycling Grainpro and Ecotact bags
2020 - 1% for the Planet member
![An industrial warehouse with a garage door featuring a modern, geometric mural. in the foreground, there are burlap sacks and wooden crates. a logo reads "1% for the planet - member.](http://www.tandemcoffee.com/cdn/shop/files/1_0887ac2e-9a9f-4872-889f-f6033f4a723a_1600x.jpg?v=1698941711)
![A poster reading "climate neutral certified" with a circular logo, mounted on a wooden bench painted with pastel stripes, against a backdrop of trees and a cloudy sky.](http://www.tandemcoffee.com/cdn/shop/files/climate-neutral_1600x.jpg?v=1698941687)
2022 - Climate Neutral Certification
2022 - Compostable Retail Bags
![Several neatly arranged coffee bags from tandem coffee roasters, each with distinct labels like "el mirador," "la pirámide," "west end blues," and "nelson flores," featuring simple bicycle graphics.](http://www.tandemcoffee.com/cdn/shop/files/Working-On-It-compostable-bags_1600x.jpg?v=1698941719)
![Aerial view of a solar farm with rows of solar panels partially covered in snow, amidst a forested area displaying a wintry scene.](http://www.tandemcoffee.com/cdn/shop/files/Working-On-It-Solar_1600x.jpg?v=1698941731)
Route 32 Solar Farm China, Maine
2022 - Solar Power
2023 - Little T Refill Coffee
![Person in a blue sweatshirt pouring coffee beans into a glass jar labeled "west end coffee blues" held in their hands against a white wall background.](http://www.tandemcoffee.com/cdn/shop/files/Working-on-It-Little-T_1600x.jpg?v=1698941728)
![Tandem New Retail Bags](http://www.tandemcoffee.com/cdn/shop/files/New-Bags_1600x.jpg?v=1707149082)
2024 - Retail Packaging Update
Better Packaging - the never ending battle
- Most of our shipping boxes are made by a local company Lindenmeyr Munroe and made from 100% recycled content
- Our polymailers are made by Grounded and also made from 100% recycled materials
- Retail coffee bags made by ePac with 43% Recycled Materials in Wisconsin.
- Packing paper from our beloved "paper barfer" is made from 100% recycled paper
- All packaging made in USA from recycled materials
![A top-down view of an open cardboard box filled with various neatly arranged packages and food products branded with bicycle logos, suggesting a delivery focused on cycling or environmental sustainability.](http://www.tandemcoffee.com/cdn/shop/files/Working-On-It-Recycled-Packaging_1600x.jpg?v=1698941729)
Still workin' on it
The journey obviously doesn't end here. We've still got so much to do. If all goes well we can continue to grow while shrinking our carbon footprint at the same time. That depends a lot on emerging technologies. As always we will continue to keep our ear to the ground and implement the best options as they come available.