Tashi's and Sustainability
At Tashis Place, sustainability is a way of life. Operating a business has environmental impacts. There's no way to avoid it. But in everything we do, we first ask ourselves "How can we do this with the smallest impact possible on the planet?" We believe that doing all that we can to be a steward to the planet is a vital part of our business plan.
​
For a coffee shop, reducing waste is perhaps the biggest and most important way to reduce impacts. We contract with an industrial composting firm who collects our composting waste weekly where it is transformed into rich, useful compost that can be used in gardens, landscaping, or elsewhere to add vital nutrients to soil. Most of what we consume, from coffee grounds and filters to food scraps to napkins and paper towels, goes into the composting bin.
​
​
​
​
​
All of our to-go products are made from recycled and/or compostable materials. Cups, lids, straws, utensils, napkins...all of it can go either in the recycling or industrial compost bins. Of course, we also encourage dine-in enjoyment of our items, which eliminates the need for disposable packaging altogether.
​
Speaking of recycling, we also recycle everything possible. Our goal is for our recycling and compost bags as big as possible, and our trash headed to the landfill as small as possible. Zero waste is the ultimate goal we always strive for.
​
All of our to-go products are made from recycled and/or compostable materials. Cups, lids, straws, utensils, napkins...all of it can go either in the recycling or industrial compost bins. Of course, we also encourage dine-in enjoyment of our items, which eliminates the need for disposable packaging altogether.
​
Speaking of recycling, we also recycle everything possible. Our goal is for our recycling and compost bags as big as possible, and our trash headed to the landfill as small as possible. Zero waste is the ultimate goal we always strive for.
In addition to recycling as much as possible, we also strive to use recycled products in our shop. All of the paper products at Tashi's are made from recycled paper, which greatly reduces the amount of energy and water needed to make them.
​
Our building treads lightly as well. We are located in the Bradford Station apartment building, the first carbon-neutral apartment building in Grand Rapids.
​
Reducing our carbon footprint is critically important to us, and we hope it is to you as well. Protecting the planet for our children's futures is a huge job and it's going to take us all playing a role to get the job done. Enjoying a nice coffee or tea drink while we do it is icing on the cake!