Fancy an organic, fairtrade coffee brewed in a solar-powered Italian coffee van? Bring your reusable coffee cup to the next Harpenden Sustainability Market and enjoy a discount on coffees and teas at Padge’s Fine Coffee’s stall. And pick up a bag of locally roasted beans while you’re there to satisfy your coffee cravings from home.
A firm favourite at the market, Padge’s is run by Paul and is completely mobile. Paul aims to run the business as sustainably as possible while offering high-quality teas and barista coffees at fair prices. All their coffee is organic and fair trade and, while its not grown locally, it’s roasted to order by a Hertfordshire company. Their teas and herbal blends are sourced from reputable organic suppliers.
Waste not, want not
Although Padges encourage their customers to bring their own reusable cups, don’t worry if you forget your reusable coffee cup — Padge’s takeaway cups are fully cardboard and you can pop them in your home recycling bin when you’re done. If you’re out and about and unsure of where to dispose of your cup, Padge’s will happily take it back for recycling.
Most of the 2.5 billion takeaway cups used in the UK each year are lined with plastic, making them notoriously hard to recycle and contributing considerably to landfill and ecosystem pollution. Paul believes many cafes haven’t yet made the switch because of the cost; ‘the sustainable options do come at a premium. Some places use compostable plastics, but those often require industrial composting, which isn’t easily accessible for most people. That’s why we focus on solutions that are genuinely easy to recycle.’
Padges’ waste disposal philosophy extends to every aspect of their business model. They compost all their used coffee grounds through a local charity which supports vulnerable adults.
A firm favourite at the market
In the past couple of years, Padge’s hasn’t missed a single Harpenden Sustainability Market. They particularly enjoy the atmosphere and how closely it aligns with their values. Paul says, ‘It’s also a great opportunity to talk to customers about sustainability and why we do what we do.’ They have lots of repeat, values-driven customers who come back time and again.
Paul particularly rates fellow business The African Shop’s range of handmade products. He was proudly wearing a lovely apron made from African fabric as he brewed his teas and coffees!
So what are Padges’ top eco tips? Paul says, ‘whenever you’re buying something, just pause and think: can I reuse something instead? Bring your own cup or water bottle, or carry a tote bag with you. Even reusing a disposable cup a few times can make a difference. And don’t be afraid to ask cafes to serve you in a real cup. Having these conversations is how we move things forward.’
As well as Harpenden, Padge’s frequently makes an appearance at other markets, festivals, events and community gatherings in the region. Just keep an eye on their website or Instagram page to see where they’ll next pop up.
Join us at the next Sustainability Market on Sunday the 21st of September to discover Padge’s Fine Coffee and other local eco and food stalls that promote a more sustainable lifestyle. Visit our markets page for the full schedule of dates.