Coffee Tools Distributing discusses its big goals with bigger impact

Coffee Tools Distributing

Coffee Tools Distributing discusses its efforts to help protect the environment and why any small business can be an example to make a significant impact.

Reading about the AeroPress brewing device online, shortly after it was released to market in 2005, was the spark that started Curtis Arnold’s journey with Coffee Tools Distributing. Established 16 years ago, the company is the exclusive Australian distributor of coffee brands such as AeroPress, Wacaco, Able Brewing, Basal, and more.

From day one, company Director Curtis has been focused on creating a healthy company that can survive in the coffee industry and lately, one that contributes to the greater good of the planet.

“While we’re looking forward to an exciting future and more growth, we realise that we’re very lucky to have achieved a certain amount of success thus far. With that realisation comes the understanding that we need to share some of that and give something back. You don’t have to travel very far to realise just how lucky we are to live where we do and to have the opportunities that we do here in Australia” Curtis says.

“When we’re looking at new suppliers, we try to find companies that have similar attitudes towards the environment and sustainability. Even if the products themselves are not specifically reducing waste or having a positive impact, we like to work with companies that are conscious of these issues and trying to operate sustainably themselves.”

To showcase its commitment to the environment, Coffee Tools Distributing has joined 1% for the Planet, a global movement inspiring businesses and individuals to support environmental solutions through everyday actions. Each year, the company donates 1 per cent of its total sales to approved sustainable organisations.

“Coffee is truly the source of what we do here at Coffee Tools Distributing and is an essential part of the lives of the people who work here, which is why the causes we support are so valued to us,” Curtis says

“When we talk to manufacturers and customers alike, they’re excited to see the 1% for the Planet logo on our website, and they’re happy to be working with a company that is trying to make some sort of difference – however small.”

The company also donates to Trillion Trees Australia, a non-profit organisation with a mission to bring people together to plant and grow trees to achieve a healthy and biodiverse environment.

“We donate every year at Christmas time to have them plant a couple of trees for each one of our customers,” says Curtis.

Coffee Tools Distributing is also passionate about reducing its carbon footprint in its own way.

“We’ve always done things like recycle all our cardboard waste, reuse all pallets, reuse packing materials and boxes. Our lighting is all LED, we purchase our electricity from sustainable sources, and our warehouse uses very little water or power,” says Curtis.

Curtis says the company is only at the beginning of its sustainability journey and has promising plans to further reduce its carbon footprint.

“We’ve just started a relationship with the consulting firm Pangolin Associates, who are going to guide us on becoming carbon neutral. Our goals are to be Climate Active certified and then become a certified B Corp company,” he says.

“A lot of our customers are headed down the same path. There’s a lot of great Australian coffee companies that are already either B Corp certified, or a 1% for the Planet company. It’s so rewarding to see, and shows that anybody can make a difference, however small.

“Obviously, big picture, we’ve only got one planet and every little thing we can do helps push the needle in the right direction so we all benefit. Even small actions get noticed and can influence others to act. Specifically for the coffee industry, we need a healthy environment for coffee to grow, because without that we have nothing.”

With that in mind, Curtis is grateful for the growth of Coffee Tools Distributing, which, over the years, has acquired a wealth of products to offer consumers from reusable cups to reusable coffee filters to handheld grinders, and the list keeps growing.

“We have a number of new products arriving over the next few months, such as the Loca ceramic pour over filter range and, coming soon from Wacaco, the Exagram scale and Exagrind hand grinder. These are both designed to complement the recently released Picopresso, which is a premium handheld espresso machine,” says Curtis.

“As well as this, we’re going to be adding a new electric temperature-controlled kettle line, a couple of batch brew machines and a new line of Moka pots and French Press.”

Curtis says Coffee Tools Distributing is always on the lookout for new products to offer consumers, and that it’s important that all offerings are products he would use and enjoy himself.

“We don’t sell thousands of products. We try and stick with what we like using. It’s important that all the products fit what we want from a coffee perspective,” he says.

“Our goal for 2022 is to keep pushing forward and try to do the right thing, one step at a time.”

For more information, visit www.coffeetools.supply

This article appears in the June 2022 edition of BeanScene. Subscribe HERE.

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