Oakham-based coffee roastery recognised for carbon-reducing operations and sustainable redevelopment of its Pillings Road roastery.

Rutland coffee roastery, Two Chimps Coffee, has been recognised for its commitment to sustainability after winning the Environmental Champions Award at the 2026 Rutland & Stamford Mercury Business Awards again, following two award wins in 2024 for Environmental Champions and Small Business of the Year.

The independent speciality coffee roastery took home the award at a ceremony held at Rutland Hall Hotel on Friday 18 September, celebrating independent, small and medium-sized businesses from the region who make a difference to the local community. Three members of the Two Chimps team: Lianne, Hannah and Michelle, attended the ceremony to collect the award on behalf of the business.

The award celebrates businesses that demonstrate a genuine commitment to reducing their carbon footprint, from cutting fossil fuel use and caring for the natural environment to improving resource efficiency and reducing waste and pollution.



The Two Chimps team (Photo: provided)

Sustainability has become an important part of how Two Chimps operates, influencing decisions across the business, from the coffee sourced to the way products are packaged, roasted and delivered, all backed by their positive-planet certification and long-term ambition of achieving Net Zero by 2040.

Since acquiring its own premises in July last year, Two Chimps has made significant changes to reduce its environmental impact, including:

• Installing solar panels on the front and rear of the roastery roof with the potential to power up to 98% of the business using renewable energy, supported by battery storage so no energy goes to waste
• Fitting an EV charger ahead of switching to an electric delivery vehicle
• Exceeding regulatory requirements for roof insulation
• Switching to electric heating, powered by solar energy, in place of gas
• Achieving an EPC rating of C for the two neighbouring units it leases to other businesses (well above the minimum required rating of E)
• Using sensor lighting and switching off equipment when not in use

The roastery specialises in sourcing single-origin, speciality-grade Arabica coffee beans from smallholder farms, cooperatives, and estates across South America, Central America, and Africa, with a focus on traceability and understanding where its coffee comes from.

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Two Chimps also uses sustainable processes across their business, with 100% of their packaging being recyclable, and up to 98% of the roastery running off solar power, alongside wider measures designed to reduce waste, energy use and carbon emissions.

Rather than viewing sustainability as a one-off project, the Two Chimps team has continued to seek practical ways to improve the business's environmental impact as it grows.

Commenting on the win, Head Chimps Andy and Laura said: 'We're really proud to win this award, especially given the work we have all put in since moving to Pillings Road.

'Being responsible for the impact we have on the environment is very important to us and as we move towards our target of being Net Zero by 2040 this award is evidence that we're doing the right things and we're on the right track. We're delighted to pick up the award and are proud of the whole team for the work they're doing.'

The award comes during an exciting year for Two Chimps Coffee as the business approaches its 10th anniversary, having grown from a small Rutland start-up into an established speciality coffee roastery serving customers across the UK.

Despite that growth, the team remains firmly rooted in Rutland and hopes the award will help demonstrate how independent businesses can make environmental responsibility part of everyday decision-making.

Watch the full nomination video here: