Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) & Ethical Sourcing Statement

At Ue Coffee Roasters, Corporate Social Responsibility is not an afterthought — it is central to how we source, roast, package, and supply our coffee and tea. We recognise that our corporate customers require a supply chain that is transparent, ethical, sustainable, and fully compliant with UK and international standards.

This statement sets out our commitments across sourcing, labour rights, environmental stewardship, product quality, and compliance, ensuring that our products can be supplied with full confidence to large organisations in the UK and beyond.

1. Ethical Coffee Sourcing

  • We purchase green coffee only from suppliers with long-term, transparent, and traceable supply chains, often built on direct relationships with farmers, estates, and cooperatives.

  • Every coffee lot undergoes strict quality and ethical evaluation before purchase, including:
    • Moisture testing (to prevent mould).
    • Screen size grading (consistency).
    • Defect analysis (removal of defective beans, stones, and foreign matter).
    • Sample roasting and cupping (sensory evaluation of aroma, flavour, balance, acidity, and body).

  • We are committed to:
    • Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, and UTZ certification schemes.
    • Increasing volumes of direct trade and single-estate coffees for greater transparency and traceability.
    • Promoting long-term financial stability for farming partners.

2. Ethical Tea Sourcing

Trading as Jeeves & Jericho – The Artisan Teasmiths, we have specialised in sourcing and blending teas since 2011.

  • We work exclusively with suppliers who are members of the Ethical Tea Partnership.

  • All teas are evaluated for leaf quality, liquor colour, aroma, taste, and mouthfeel before blending and again before delivery.

  • Supplier standards include:
    • Compliance with International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions.
    • Prohibition of forced or child labour in line with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
    • Fair wages, equal opportunities, and safe working conditions.
    • Environmentally responsible production practices.

3. Social Responsibility & Human Rights

  • We comply fully with the Modern Slavery Act 2015, conducting regular risk assessments and due diligence across our supply chain.

  • Our suppliers must:
    • Demonstrate compliance with local and international labour laws.
    • Operate a non-discrimination and equal opportunities policy.
    • Provide safe and hygienic working environments.
    • Commit to continuous improvement through ethical audits and supplier reviews.

  • We support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular:
    • SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth.
    • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production.
    • SDG 13: Climate Action.

4. Environmental Responsibility

We are committed to minimising environmental impact throughout our operations:

  • Carbon & Energy
    • Investment in energy-efficient roasting technology fitted with afterburners and catalytic converters to reduce emissions.
    • Regular maintenance schedules to maximise efficiency.
    • Transition towards renewable energy sourcing for operations.

  • Water & Waste
    • Minimal water usage in processing; waste water is treated to household standard.
    • 100% recycling of cardboard and paper; reuse wherever practicable.
    • Coffee roaster emissions comply with UK Clean Air Act and local authority air quality requirements.

  • Packaging
    • Ongoing review of packaging to reduce waste, cost, and energy.
    • Use of recycled, recyclable, or compostable materials wherever possible.
    • Commitment to eliminating unnecessary single-use plastics from the supply chain.

  • Timber & Paper Products
    • Only purchasing from FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) certified or equivalent sustainable sources.
    • Suppliers must provide evidence of recycled content and origin.

5. Product Integrity & Safety

  • All coffee and tea products are natural and minimally processed.
  • No products contain ingredients derived from genetically modified sources.
  • All food safety practices adhere to SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approval) standards, subject to independent audits.
  • Suppliers are required to complete comprehensive questionnaires covering sourcing, ethical practices, quality controls, and compliance.

6. Governance & Legal Compliance

  • We comply with all applicable UK and EU legislation, including but not limited to:
    • Environmental Protection Act 1990.
    • Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011.
    • Modern Slavery Act 2015.
    • Bribery Act 2010.
    • Data Protection Act 2018 / UK GDPR.

  • Our operations are subject to regular independent inspections and certifications.

7. Community & Employee Responsibility

  • We are committed to the wellbeing of our employees, providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive workplace.
  • We invest in staff development, training, and fair employment practices.
  • We actively support local community initiatives, including environmental projects, education programmes, and charitable partnerships.

8. Continuous Improvement

CSR is an ongoing process. We regularly review our sourcing, environmental, and social practices against best practice benchmarks and customer expectations. Independent audits, supplier reviews, and customer feedback form part of our continuous improvement framework.