The Republic of Tea Strengthens Commitment to Sustainability With Innovative Green Business Practices
Leading Purveyor of Premium Teas and Herbs Forms Impact TEAm, Pledging to Increase Energy Efficiency, Reduce Waste, and Conserve Resources in 2021 and Beyond
LARKSPUR, CALIF. (June 2021) – The Republic of Tea, leading purveyor of premium teas and herbs, is proud to expand on its commitment to a sustainable future through the implementation of Green Business policies with the company’s newly established Impact TEAm. The Impact TEAm is focused on increasing energy efficiency, reducing waste, conserving resources, promoting environmental education, and more, building upon The Republic of Tea’s proud standing as a progressive and socially conscious business.
“At The Republic of Tea, we are mindful of the impact that our actions and business activities have on the environment and our communities,” said Kristina Tucker, Minister of Enlightenment and Commerce at The Republic of Tea. “We are proud to have our Impact TEAm in place to enforce our Green Business practices and continue to innovate in this space. The Republic of Tea enriches people’s lives through great-tasting premium teas and herbs, education, and innovation – emphasizing a ‘Sip by Sip Rather than Gulp by Gulp’ lifestyle. Our environmental stewardship work is an important part of this ethos.”
Since its inception in 1992, The Republic of Tea has made sustainability a part of its core operations through internal and external efforts, as well as part of The Charter that guides the brand. It is a founding member of the Ethical Tea Partnership, the non-commercial alliance of major tea packing companies working together to promote social responsibility in the world tea trade and to ensure the ethical sourcing of tea, and a proud member of the Upcycled Food Association (UFA), a nonprofit focused on reducing food waste by growing the upcycled food economy. It is also a member of Climate Collaborative and the American Herbal Products Association.
The Republic of Tea’s signature round tea bags have always been made from unbleached tea paper, free of unnecessary strings, tags and staples. For every 1 million tea bags of The Republic of Tea sipped, 60 pounds of staples, 47 miles of string and 1 million paper tags are saved from landfills. The Republic of Tea’s signature cylindrical steel tea tins are made up of 30-50% recycled steel; they are airtight, recyclable and reusable. The company’s packing and shipping practices center on minimalism, simplicity and the elimination of excess. For all shipments, the principal packing material is reclaimed tea paper supplemented by GEAMI or EXPANDOS, 100 percent recyclable packaging products. The natural packing materials not only protect fine tea and sipware, but also allows The Republic of Tea to use smaller, 100 percent recyclable shipping boxes, which results in saving fossil fuels (both from tires and diesel gas) and pollution in transportation.
This year, the company’s production and shipping center in Nashville, Ill. upgraded all warehouse lighting to LED, facilitating a longer lifespan of the bulbs and the reduction of overall energy output. They have also implemented AC Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) for energy efficiency and cost reduction. In 2019, The Republic of Tea moved its headquarters to The Exchange at Larkspur Landing Circle, a LEED-certified building in Marin County, Calif. that is committed to energy and water efficiency, waste reduction and prioritizing the use of environmentally conscious practices and products. The artfully designed 2,500-square-foot space provides the opportunity for many of The Republic of Tea’s Ministers (employees) to commute to the office via bike, the adjacent SmartTrain station, and the nearby Larkspur Landing Ferry.
Looking ahead, with the addition of new environmental practices and the dedicated Impact TEAm comprised of 10 employees from multiple departments and functions, The Republic of Tea seeks to move to all renewable energy, rid any plastic in packaging, go paperless whenever possible, and reduce waste through innovative technology, plus much more.
For more information on The Republic of Tea’s environmental efforts and premium collection of teas and herbs, visit www.republicoftea.com. Follow The Republic of Tea on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About The Republic of Tea:
The Republic of Tea enriches people’s lives through its great-tasting premium teas and herbs, education and innovation, as it emphasizes a “Sip by Sip Rather Than Gulp by Gulp” lifestyle. Founded in 1992, The Republic of Tea sparked a specialty tea revolution. Today the brand delivers an unequaled selection of the highest-quality teas, herbal blends, and nature-inspired sipware at an incredible value. The Republic of Tea’s collections boast over 300 all-natural premium teas and diverse offerings which include, but are not limited to: organic SuperAdapt™ Teas, SuperDigest Tea® collection, Beautifying Botanicals®, Be Well® Teas, Downton Abbey™ Teas, Star Wars: The Mandalorian Teas, organic SuperHerb® Teas, U-Matcha™ and Single Sips®. Further, The Republic of Tea is mindful of how its actions impact the greater community and actively supports organizations like Homeward Bound of Marin and The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), which works towards access to nutritious, safe, and affordable food for all. The Republic of Tea also works to elevate the consciousness of sustainability; it is a member of the Ethical Tea Partnership, Upcycled Food Association, Climate Collaborative and American Herbal Products Association. Certifications include Demeter USA Certified Biodynamic, Gluten-Free certification, Non-GMO Project verification, OU Kosher certification, and USDA Organic certification. For more information, please visit www.REPUBLICofTEA.com or call 1.800.298.4832. Follow The Republic of Tea on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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Press Contacts: Nicole Lax, Sarah Meyer, Blake Willahan and Siena Di Roma 415.325.5519, pr@republicoftea.com.
