Athens Coffee Holding Roasting Facility

Compost, Recycling and Trash S.O.P

We at Sips do not take for granted the need for improving our planet. We are lucky enough that
we are in an industry that has streamlined sustainability.
85% to 95% of materials processed through our roasting facility are compostable or reusable.

Compost:
We work with local farmers to dispose of our compostable materials. Coffee compost is the most
sought-after compost for farms as it is so rich in nutrients for replenishing the soil. Also, coffee and
coffee compost does not attract pests, and actually helps prevent flies, roaches and ants from
surrounding areas. Any compost not taken by local farms, is easily taken to the local Athens Clarke
County Composting facility via in house company transport. Compost is removed from site twice a week
and depending on roasting schedule. This is determined by the Roaster.
Compost is to be taken out daily and kept in Barrel labeled “Compost”
Compost is to be emptied in outside can and lid securely put on after.
What is compostable

Chaff; There is approximately 1/2lb chaff for every 12lbs of green coffee, this works out to
approximately 5lbs of chaff compost a week.
Other compositable Items:
o Coffee grounds
o Coffee filters
o Any organic food item
o Coffee Clutches (sleeves)

Recyclables
5% -10% of waste will consist of cardboard, jute bags and biodegradable packaging, and plastic
Recyclables and reusables.

Boxes:
We at Sips reuse many of the packaging boxes in other business ventures for shipping and transporting
goods. If a box is in good condition, it is to be broken down and kept in the designated box area in the
storage room. These will be gone through by management once a week (before Monday trash pickup),
and usable and keepable boxes will be moved offsite to storage facility located at the U-Haul on Chase
St.
Box is in good condition if it has the following:
No holes, no tears,
Has a bottom and a top

Any boxes that are unusable will be put in the Recycling Barrel outside.
This includes boxes damaged, torn, or with holes
Boxes without lids
Any box that is water damaged
Any box you are unsure of ask management

Also note that many boxes will end up at the Sips Café location (1390 Prince) via deliveries and will be
disposed of as per the coffee shop S.O.P. regarding trash and recycling.
Boxes to be disposed of, are to be broken down and placed in the recycling barrel outside at the end of
each day or at the soonest available time.

Jute Bags:
We go through approx. 4300lbs to 5400lbs of coffee a year which account for between 32 and 40 Jute
bags, and the same number of Biodegradable bags. (each bag contains 135lbs to 170lbs green coffee)
Jute bags are kept in the Jute Bag area in stock room. We try to sell or give them away to artists and
crafters. What is considered waste is determined by the Roaster. Some bags are not reusable due to
damage. We aim to repurpose at least 30 bags a year of the 40 we use or 75%.

Recycling bins inside roaster are located in the Roasting Room, The Lab/Tasting Room, and Kitchen.
Recyclable Items at Roasting Facility
Cardboard
Plastic Milk Container
Water bottles
Alternative milk caps
Lids for ‘to go’ coffee cups

Trash:
The last 5% of refuse will be trash, this will include Jute bags, ‘to go’ cups, alternative milk container and
any other obvious common sense trash items.
We will use 1 to 2 of each a week of Alt Milk (almond & oat). These are not recyclable due to the interior
lining of the container. The caps are.
Similarly, ‘to go’ cups are lined with a plastic that is not recyclable.