Organic Coffee and Fairtrade Coffee
Which coffee brands are the most ethical and sustainable? For the answer, see our Ethical Coffee Ratings Table to compare brands’ scores.
Why is it important to purchase ethical, organic coffee?
Coffee is one of the most popular drinks worldwide, with 98 million cups drank every day in the UK alone, according to the British Coffee Association. Unfortunately, the coffee sector is full of unethical practices. But where can we buy ethical and organic coffee? Here’s how to get your morning caffeine hit and skip the climate change anxiety and human rights abuses! Find out how Fairtrade coffee and organic coffee can be a good ethical option…
Our Ethical Coffee Ratings Table provides an easy way to get to know ethical coffee brands. Our table shows which companies have scored poorly for their policies and practices towards the Environment, Animals, and People. Deforestation and human rights are just some of the issues we incorporate into our research.
What environmental impact does coffee have?
The environmental impact of coffee is a major concern, particularly its role in deforestation. In 2021, The Guardian reported that the Amazon rainforest lost 10,476 square kilometres – an area nearly 7 times the size of greater London! Coffee is one of the main industries contributing to this, with Global Forest Watch naming it one of the top 7 commodities linked to deforestation.
Brazil, which holds the largest percentage of the Amazon rainforest, is the world’s leading coffee producer. The biggest coffee producing countries, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Ethiopia, and much of Latin America, have some of the highest rates of biodiversity in the world. When forests are removed to make way for coffee plantations, we are destroying some of our most important natural habitats and wildlife species.
As coffee increases in popularity, more and more land is required to produce enough coffee beans to meet consumer demand. Unfortunately, this means that deforestation in the coffee sector is worsening. Deforestation deprives the planet of important resources for removing CO2 from our atmosphere.
Additionally, some coffee companies rely on modern slavery and exploitation of coffee farmers to generate profits. Debt bondage, child labour, and wage theft are common issues in many coffee plantations supplying some of the most popular British coffee brands. We recommend avoiding companies involved in these activities.
Our research: brands to avoid in your search for ethical coffee
Our latest research into the coffee industry reveals that several brands featured in our Ethical Coffee Ratings Table continue to work with suppliers implicated in human rights abuses. These are companies you should steer clear of when looking for an ethical coffee brand.
In 2018, OECD Watch revealed the ongoing human rights abuses within the supply chains of illy, Nestlé, which owns Nescafé, and Jacobs Douwe Egberts, parent company of Douwe Egberts, Kenco, and Maxwell House. The report noted that these companies fail to ensure that their coffee sourced from Brazil is free from forced labour. The companies were noted to be using suppliers that have been accused of modern slavery and other serious labour rights violations.
However, we also found that several ethical coffee companies are pushing the industry towards being more sustainable. For instance, Café Direct, which has achieved a high score of 92 in our research, is an example of an ethical coffee company that donates a portion of its profits to charitable causes.
What is single origin coffee?
If you buy your coffee beans from small or medium-scale roasters, you might have heard of the phrase ‘single origin coffee’. Other phrases commonly used by independent roasters are ‘single estate coffee’ and ‘single farm coffee’. But what is single origin coffee? Single origin coffee are beans that can be traced back to its source. Sometimes, single origin coffee can even be traced back to the very microlot where it was grown. (A microlot is a small section of a coffee farm, where a specific bean variety is grown.) Although single origin coffee is not necessarily ethical or organic coffee, it is more likely to be ethical, as suppliers are held accountable through traceability.
Buying organic coffee: a step towards ethical coffee consumption
Our Ethical Coffee Ratings Table is a great resource for identifying the most ethical coffee brands. But what else can you do to be more ethical in your coffee consumption?
One solution is to purchase organic coffee, which is available from many of the brands in the green section of our table. Let’s explore some of the reasons why drinking organic coffee is a great step in transitioning towards a more ethical and sustainable lifestyle.
The most important thing is that organic coffee is not made with any pesticides or herbicides, which are typically used in non-organic farming and can be incredibly harmful to the planet.
Pesticides and herbicides use toxic chemicals that run off coffee plants into the soil and local waterways, poisoning the habitat and killing wildlife species, such as birds and fish. As organic coffee avoids this process, it is much less harmful to our environment.
Additionally, the use of pesticides and herbicides in coffee farming can have a damaging impact on farm workers. When coffee is not organically grown, coffee farmers are regularly exposed to harmful chemicals, which can lead to whole host of health problems. Safety equipment to protect farmers from chemical exposure is rarely provided.
Organic coffee is therefore a great option for addressing some of the environmental and human rights issues within the Coffee sector. Many organic coffee products are certified to ensure they are truly organic, so look out for the Soil Association or European Union organic logos on product packaging.
See our Ethical Coffee Ratings Table to compare brands
The following brands have been evaluated and investigated by The Good Shopping Guide. To learn more about your favourite chocolate companies’ corporate ethics and sustainability practices, simply click on the brand names listed below:
Clipper, Cafédirect, Percol, Equal Exchange, Grumpy Mule, Raw Bean, Carte Noire, Lavazza, illy, Taylors of Harrogate, Nescafé, Costa, Starbucks, Douwe Egberts, Kenco and L’Or.
Why should someone care about how coffee is produced ethically?
Coffee production can have large impacts on both the environment and people who grow the beans. Unsustainable practices can drive deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and contribute to climate change. There are also serious human rights issues: in some supply chains, workers face poor conditions, child labour and unfair pay, which ethical sourcing aims to avoid.
What environmental harm can come from conventional coffee farming?
Growing coffee often requires clearing forests to make room for plantations. This deforestation destroys important ecosystems and habitats for wildlife and reduces the natural ability of forests to absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere, worsening climate change. It’s one of the issues critics link to the wider coffee industry.
What does it mean when coffee is single origin, and why might that matter ethically?
“Single origin” coffee refers to beans traceable back to a specific country, region or even a particular farm. This traceability makes it easier to hold sellers accountable for the conditions under which coffee was produced. While not automatically ethical, it helps buyers know more about where their coffee came from and how it was grown.
How can choosing organic coffee be part of ethical consumption?
Organic coffee is grown without synthetic pesticides and herbicides, which can poison soil, waterways, wildlife and farm workers who lack adequate protection. Choosing organic helps reduce chemical pollution and promotes healthier ecosystems and safer conditions for people working on farms.
Are there examples of coffee brands trying to be more ethical or sustainable?
Yes, some producers prioritise organic and Fairtrade practices and also support causes like wildlife protection. For instance, some brands with high ethical ratings offer 100% fair and organic coffee and donate part of profits to conservation charities, helping protect both people and the environment.
Is Bird & Wild an Ethical Coffee Brand?
Bird & Wild sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Coffee Comparison Table, standing out for its 100 % Fairtrade, organic and bird‑friendly certified beans and strong environmental commitments. It also holds Ethical Accreditation from the Guide, reflecting its high standards across ethical categories. Its charity donations and certification further reinforce its positive sustainability profile.
Is Cafédirect Coffee an Ethical Coffee Brand?
Cafédirect sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Coffee Comparison Table, standing out for strong environmental reporting, organic and Fairtrade coffee products and broad ethical commitments. However, it lacks Ethical Accreditation from the Guide. Its focus on fair prices and reinvesting profits in grower communities highlights its sustainability credentials, though accreditation could further affirm its ethical status.
Is Clipper Coffee an Ethical Coffee Brand?
Clipper sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Coffee Comparison Table, performing strongly for organic and Fairtrade coffee, environmental reporting and wider ethical indicators. However, it does not yet hold Ethical Accreditation from the Guide itself. Its ethical sourcing and certified products underline solid sustainability credentials, though gaining formal accreditation could enhance recognition further.
Is Grumpy Mule an Ethical Coffee Brand?
Grumpy Mule sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Coffee Comparison Table, with strong performance in organic and Fairtrade sourcing and positive environmental indicators. While it excels across most ethical categories, it currently lacks Ethical Accreditation from the Guide itself. Its certified organic and fairly traded beans nonetheless underline solid sustainability credentials.
Is Equal Exchange Coffee an Ethical Coffee Brand?
Equal Exchange sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Coffee Comparison Table, with strong organic and Fairtrade credentials and positive ethical indicators across environment, animal welfare and social criteria. However, it currently does not hold Ethical Accreditation from the Guide. Its fair sourcing and ethical ethos nevertheless underline a solid sustainability profile.
Is Percol an Ethical Coffee Brand?
Percol sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Coffee Comparison Table, standing out for organic and Fairtrade‑certified coffees and positive indicators like animal welfare and public record. However, it currently lacks Ethical Accreditation from the Guide itself. Its commitment to sustainable sourcing and packaging shows solid ethical credentials, though accreditation could strengthen its profile further.
Is Raw Bean an Ethical Coffee Brand?
Raw Bean sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Coffee Comparison Table, with strong environmental reporting and organic credentials, and it sells some Fairtrade coffee too. However, it currently does not hold Ethical Accreditation from the Guide. Its recyclable packaging and ethical sourcing efforts nonetheless underline a positive sustainability profile.
Is Carte Noire an Ethical Coffee Brand?
Carte Noire sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Coffee Comparison Table. It performs well for organic coffee and avoids ties to nuclear, armaments or political donations, but it scores poorly for Fairtrade sourcing and only middling in environmental reporting. Overall, the brand’s ethical indicators suggest there’s still significant room for improvement.
Is Lavazza an Ethical Coffee Brand?
Lavazza sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Coffee Comparison Table, performing well in areas like organic coffee and animal welfare but falling short on Fairtrade sourcing and environmental reporting transparency. While it avoids links to controversial industries, its ethical indicators suggest there’s still room for stronger commitments to socially responsible sourcing and sustainability practices.
Is illy an Ethical Coffee Brand?
illy sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Coffee Comparison Table, performing well by avoiding links to controversial industries and scoring positively on animal welfare and public record. However, it scores poorly on organic and Fairtrade sourcing and provides limited environmental reporting, suggesting its ethical indicators lag behind many higher‑ranking brands.
Is Taylors of Harrogate an Ethical Coffee Brand?
Taylors of Harrogate sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Coffee Comparison Table. It avoids major links to controversial industries and scores positively for animal welfare, but it performs poorly on environmental reporting, organic and Fairtrade sourcing and has a weaker public record overall. These indicators suggest its ethical credentials lag behind many higher‑ranking brands.
Is Costa Coffee an Ethical Coffee Brand?
Costa Coffee sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Coffee Comparison Table. While it performs reasonably well in environmental reporting and some animal welfare areas, it has numerous public record criticisms and scores poorly on Fairtrade and organic sourcing. Overall, these indicators suggest the brand still has significant room to improve its ethical and sustainability practices.
Is Douwe Egberts an Ethical Coffee Brand?
Douwe Egberts sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Coffee Comparison Table, doing reasonably well in its environmental reporting and avoiding ties to controversial industries. However, it scores poorly for Fairtrade and organic coffee, has a weak animal welfare record and faces significant public record criticisms, showing there’s still much room for ethical improvement.
Is Kenco an Ethical Coffee Brand?
Kenco sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Coffee Comparison Table, showing some positives like a detailed environmental report and efforts toward responsible sourcing. However, it scores poorly for organic and Fairtrade coffee and has a weak record on animal welfare and public criticisms, indicating there’s significant room for improvement in its ethical credentials.
Is L’OR an Ethical Coffee Brand?
L’OR sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Coffee Comparison Table, doing relatively well with its environmental reporting and lack of involvement in controversial industries. However, it scores poorly for Fairtrade and organic sourcing, has a weak animal welfare record and faces numerous public record criticisms, suggesting plenty of room for improvement in its ethical performance.
Is Nescafé an Ethical Coffee Brand?
Nescafé sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Coffee Comparison Table, doing relatively well in areas like environmental reporting and avoiding links to controversial industries. However, it scores poorly for organic and Fairtrade coffee, animal welfare and has a weak public record, suggesting there’s still considerable room to strengthen its ethical and sustainability performance.
Is Starbucks Coffee an Ethical Coffee Brand?
Starbucks sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Coffee Comparison Table, doing reasonably well in its environmental reporting and avoiding links to controversial industries. However, it scores poorly for organic and Fairtrade coffee, animal welfare and has numerous public record criticisms, showing that its overall ethical indicators still have considerable room for improvement.
How does The GOOD Shopping Guide's Ethical Accreditation complement other accreditations?
The GOOD Shopping Guide doesn’t replace existing certifications, it ensures your ethical credentials are clearly recognised so they are trusted by consumers. By appearing in our comparison tables, your brand reaches an audience that is actively seeking genuinely ethical options, while also being referenced by Google and AI search tools to enhance credibility and discoverability.
How is The GOOD Shopping Guide's Ethical Accreditation different from other accreditations?
Unlike many accreditations that focus mainly on compliance or internal audits, The GOOD Shopping Guide provides scored, research-led assessments across environment, people and animals. Our tables are consumer-facing and freely accessible, making it easy for shoppers and AI tools to compare brands based on verified performance, not just promises.
How does The GOOD Shopping Guide choose who is eligible for accreditation?
The GOOD Shopping Guide audits brands for their ethical impact across a variety of criteria in the human, animal and environment categories. We research the records of brands and their parent companies, and rate them across those criteria. If they are found to be above our benchmark, they are eligible to apply for Ethical Accreditation.
How can I apply for Ethical Accreditation?
You can apply for Ethical Accreditation if your brand is assessed as above our benchmark. Click on this link to fill out our online form, and our researchers will assess your brand’s viability for Ethical Accreditation.