"Sustainability is a fundamental aspect of our identity"

Sustainability as a Core Element of Quality at Caffè Martella

BY SONIA MOGLIONI

April 21, 2025

How Caffè Martella Embraces Responsibility—for People, Nature, and the Distinctive Taste of Our Coffee

In today's world, where ecological and social concerns are deeply intertwined with consumer behavior, sustainability is no longer a bonus—it's an integral part of genuine quality. At Caffè Martella, we don't view sustainability as an add-on but as a fundamental aspect of our identity: offering exceptional coffee means taking responsibility—for the environment, for the people throughout our value chain, and for future generations.

1. Sustainability Starts at Our Location

Our roastery is nestled in the heart of Marino, a town rich in history and situated within the Castelli Romani National Park. Choosing this location and carefully renovating an existing building was no coincidence: we aimed to preserve resources and avoid sealing new land, while also reinforcing our regional roots.

Many of our employees commute on foot or use public transportation—a conscious effort to reduce emissions. Visitors can easily reach us by train or bus and enjoy the beauty of the region.

As part of the local community, we collaborate closely with local artisans, technicians, and restaurateurs. This fosters short supply chains and strengthens the local economy—a practical example of a functioning circular economy.

Additionally, we adhere to one of the world's strictest waste separation systems, motivating us daily to handle resources with particular care.

2. Green Energy

Roasting our coffee beans requires energy—but ours comes 100% from renewable sources. Our certified electricity is generated exclusively from sustainable sources in accordance with EU Directive 2009/28/EC.

Even for the gas necessary in the roasting process, we offset the entire CO₂ emissions through Gold Standard climate protection projects, selected based on stringent international criteria.

This approach makes our coffee bean production not only energy-efficient but also climate-positive—another step toward genuine responsibility.

3. Traceable Coffee Beans

Our commitment to sustainability begins not in Italy but where our coffee beans are grown. We work exclusively with green coffee producers who comply with the strict requirements of the EU Regulation against deforestation (EUDR). This ensures that not a single coffee tree stands on deforested rainforest land and that every step up to the farm is transparently documented.

A special partner is the cooperative in Brazil's Cerrado Mineiro region, with whom we maintain continuous communication. The coffee farmers there share our values—they focus on biodiversity, fair working conditions, and long-term collaboration.

Although our coffee is Fair Trade certified, we consciously choose not to display the corresponding label on our packaging—for us, sustainability is not a marketing message but a principle demonstrated through daily actions.

4. Optimal Use of Resources

In our roastery, not a single coffee bean goes to waste. Batches that don't meet our sensory standards aren't discarded but are repurposed. For example, the social cooperative "Il Trattore" uses them as a substrate for regional mushroom cultivation.

The typical jute sacks in which our green coffee is delivered are also given a second life—as packaging material, shopping bags, or dispensers for coffee pods. This actively reduces plastic waste and promotes creative upcycling in collaboration with local artisans.

Through this circular approach, every aspect of production contributes to resource conservation—and every coffee bean becomes part of a sustainable story.

5. Plastic-Free Packaging and Preparation

Single-use plastic has no place with us—except where technical barriers currently leave no alternative, such as airtight aroma protection. Even here, we're continuously working on improvements.

Our coffee pods (Cialde) are already made from a patented, compostable plant-based paper—entirely free of aluminum, plastic, and risk to people or the environment. They can be reused directly in the field or garden as natural fertilizer.

In espresso preparation, we also rely on plastic-free materials: our machine is designed so that the coffee comes into contact only with stainless steel and glass. This ensures not only pure taste but also maximum hygiene—with minimal power consumption.

6. International Recognition for Regional Responsibility

Recently, we had the honor of welcoming a special visit to our roastery in Marino: a delegation from the Permanent Representation of the Netherlands to the United Nations in Rome came to learn firsthand about our sustainable practices throughout the production chain.

We provided a comprehensive insight into our philosophy—from sourcing coffee beans to energy and packaging solutions, to collaboration with social institutions and local partners. The combination of global environmental awareness and local engagement was particularly appreciated—a model demonstrating how true sustainability can be lived.

This visit affirmed for us: transparency, dialogue, and mutual learning are central pillars on the path to a responsible future—and coffee can serve as a bridge between people, cultures, and ideas.