Our Standards

All coffeehouses in Green Cafe Network make a commitment to reducing their impacts as a business and fostering environmental responsibility in their staff and communities.

Our Green Cafe Standards are directly aligned with the Bay Area Green Business Certification.

We understand that every cafe is different, so please contact us with any questions about our standards or your cafe’s practices.

GCN Minimum Standards for Member Cafes:

1. Cafe serves sustainably sourced coffee & tea (i.e. Fair Trade, Organic, and/or Direct Trade).  (Minimum of 50%);
2. Cafe recycles all items accepted in their county (and composts in counties where pick-up is available);
3. Cafe uses eco-friendly products and local venders whenever possible;
4. Cafe provides an incentive for use of travel mugs (or implements one upon joining GCN);
5. Cafe provides an alternative to bottled water (i.e. pitcher of water, etc.);
6. Cafe  currently takes at least one action to conserve energy;
7. Cafe currently takes at least one action to conserve water;
8. Cafe minimizes the use of toxics and strives to prevent pollution whenever possible;
9. Cafe is committed to educating and inspiring its staff, and pays employees a living wage for its county (one resource for more info. on Living Wage is: http://www.livingwage.geog.psu.edu/).

Don’t forget to contact us with any questions.  We hope you’ll join us!