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The The Cafe Awards celebrate the people, businesses and organisations doing exceptional work. Explore the categories and help recognise someone shaping the future through their achievement, leadership and impact.

The Cafe Awards

Sustainable Cafe of the Year Award

Less waste, better sourcing, same great coffee.

About this category

This award recognises a cafe or coffee shop that has measurably reduced its environmental impact through waste reduction, reusable cups, local sourcing, energy savings or food waste schemes. Judges look for evidence and results.

Eligibility

Open to UK cafes and coffee shops of every size.

Judging criteria

  • Measured results
  • Waste reduction
  • Sourcing
  • Energy use
  • Engaging customers

Qualitative criteria

Sustainability built into the daily routine.

Metrics

  • Waste reduced
  • Reusable cup share
  • Food waste
  • Energy use and local sourcing share

Additional criteria

Entries should include a short description of the cafe or business, photographs of the space, food or drink where helpful, supporting figures such as covers, average spend, growth or reviews, and, where possible, comments from customers. Figures can be given as ranges and nothing in an entry is shared beyond the judging panel. Judges consider the size and setting of every business, so a single counter kiosk competes on equal terms with a busy high street cafe or a small group.

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