Bar Company: The sustainable caterer
That would be something, wouldn't it, if our kids ended up paying the bill for our energy consumption? Not if it's up to us. That is why we started engaging in socially responsible business in 2014. We have made significant strides since then.
Measure 01
We offset 100% of our CO2 emissions
Every year, our CO2 emissions are extensively calculated and recorded by DGB group. Subsequently, these are fully offset by purchasing CO₂ certificates and investing in a sustainable project in Kenya.
Sustainable project in Kenya
7 year
sustainable project
2.500.000
tons of CO2 are captured
150.000
cooking ovens are produced
155
tons of CO2 are offset annually by BC
Measure 02 · Circularity
We reuse coffee grounds for growing oyster mushrooms (circularity)
The coffee grounds left over after brewing a cup of coffee are reused to grow oyster mushrooms.
Additionally, the empty bottles left over after a cocktail catering event are reused by a Rage Room.
And there is more
This is how we make a difference, every day
Measure 03
We have developed our own BC coffee blend that is traceable via blockchain.
This long-cherished wish came true in 2024. Read more about our own sustainable coffee blend.
Measure 04
We have 420 solar panels and charging stations for green energy.
We have 420 solar panels on our roof, as well as charging stations for six electric cars. If we need more energy than we produce ourselves, we purchase it from green sources.
Measure 05
We use as many plant-based products as possible
For example, we use oats instead of cow's milk in cappuccinos, agave syrup instead of honey in smoothies, and aquafaba instead of egg white for the foam layer of cocktails.
Measure 06
We use as little energy as possible
We use less energy during transport and in our offices and warehouses.
Sustainable coffee? It really was gone in no time.
Into the depths
Total CO2 emissions compensation
There are several ways to offset CO2. Most companies choose to plant trees. However, we opted for a different project: the Hongera Cookstoves Local Community project. This project offsets even more CO2 emissions per euro invested. The project is less well-known to the general public, but it does have a significant impact.
Hongera Cookstoves Local Community project
The project focuses on the production and distribution of energy-efficient cookstoves to local communities in Kenya. This improves their health, reduces CO2 emissions, and reduces deforestation.
The project is being developed under the Gold Standard, which guarantees that real, measurable results will be achieved. This standard also ensures that the project will have a lasting impact on the population and the environment.
Growing oyster mushrooms on our coffee grounds
In 2023, we threw away approximately 10.000 kg of coffee grounds. We knew that coffee grounds could be reused, but the companies that offered it weren't interested when we approached them.
That was until we discovered Versfabriek six months ago. And you won't believe it, they are based in our beautiful Nijmegen. Versfabriek is an urban farm that collects local organic waste streams and uses them to grow food. These products are then purchased by local restaurants. Now, all our leftover coffee grounds go to Versfabriek every week. And this oyster mushroom was grown on our coffee. How cool is that!
Empty bottles are reused in a Rage Room
Jeff (on the left) is a former BC bartender and he recently started his own business: Rage Room Smash it. In his rage rooms, you can demolish an entire room with a sledgehammer, club, or crowbar.
His concept is a great success, which means he continuously needs things that can be broken.
Every week, we are left with about 5 containers full of empty bottles from our cocktail catering events. These bottles used to be collected by a waste processor, but we now give them a second life in Jeff's Rage Room before they end up in the recycling bin. Pretty cool, right?
Use less and green energy
Our passenger cars are all electric. Unfortunately, this isn't yet possible for our buses and trucks. By limiting the speed of our buses and trucks, they do consume less fuel. We also use route planning software to find the most efficient and combined routes.
The energy consumption of our offices and warehouses has been analyzed, and we have implemented various energy-saving measures. We have switched entirely to LED lighting, use less artificial light, have installed smart sensors, and use energy-efficient air conditioners for heating and ventilation. As a result, we consume 40% less energy!
Bye bye plastic, we've stopped using it
Most of our cocktails are sipped through a straw. And we serve almost all our smoothies and juices in disposable cups. You can imagine that this creates a significant amount of plastic annually. Or rather, it generated. While it's unfortunately still the standard in our industry, we're completely done with single-use plastic and therefore no longer use it.
The disposables we use now are made from renewable plant-based resources like corn starch or sugarcane. The straws and cups look virtually identical to their plastic counterparts, but are now biodegradable.
"We want to de world op a sustainable way even more fun Donate je with me?”
Curious what we can do for you as a sustainable caterer?
I would be happy to tell you more about it.
