Independent speciality coffee business Two Chimps Coffee is setting out to prove that exceptional coffee and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand, with an ambitious mission to become one of the UK's most sustainable coffee roasters.

For founders Andy Cross and Laura Shead, sustainability has never been a box-ticking exercise. Since launching Two Chimps Coffee in Oakham in 2016, they've believed that every decision, from how coffee is roasted and packaged to how it reaches customers, should leave as little impact on the planet as possible. Now, they're doubling down on that commitment with a clear goal: reaching Net Zero by 2040 while continuing to invest in practical changes that reduce emissions, minimise waste and inspire other small businesses to do the same.

"Coffee simply wouldn't exist without healthy ecosystems," said Andy Cross, Co-Founder of Two Chimps Coffee.

"Everything we do depends on the environment, from the farms we buy our coffee from to the customers who enjoy it.



"If we want speciality coffee to have a future, we all have a responsibility to help protect it."

Since launching, Two Chimps has continuously invested in reducing its environmental impact.

Working with sustainability consultants Positive Planet, the roastery has achieved Silver accreditation while introducing solar power capable of supplying up to 98% of its energy needs, fully recyclable packaging, Carbon Literacy training and a range of initiatives to reduce waste across the business.

For Andy and Laura, however, sustainability isn't about one big project, it's about hundreds of small decisions made every day.

"We're a small business from Rutland, but we believe that shouldn't limit the difference we can make," Andy said.

"If we're asking customers to care about where their coffee comes from, we also have to care about the impact of how it's produced. Every improvement we've made has been driven by that mindset."

Andy and Laura hope their journey demonstrates that ambitious environmental action isn't reserved for multinational companies.

"Our goal isn't just to reduce our own footprint," Andy added, "we want to show that independent businesses can lead the way too.

"If we can encourage even a handful of other businesses to make changes because they've seen what's possible, that's a success."

As the team looks towards its Net Zero by 2040 target, the focus remains the same as it was when the company first opened its doors nearly a decade ago: roast exceptional speciality coffee, support the people who grow it and build a business that has a positive impact on the world around it.

For Andy and Laura, becoming one of the UK's most sustainable coffee roasters isn't about winning awards or making headlines. It's about protecting the future of coffee itself.