Loveland Joins 1% for the Planet

Loveland Coffee joined 1% for the Planet in February 2019, committing to donate the equivalent of 1% of sales through a combination of monetary, in-kind, and approved advertising contributions. The first business in the Midlands to become a member, Loveland Coffee is leading the way for ways that businesses in the community can make a positive impact on the planet.

Beach Loveland, owner of Loveland Coffee, has operated his roastery and kiosk with the environment in mind since the very beginning. They have a very robust recycling program—their coffee cup sleeves are made from recycled newspaper, they use glass bottles for their cold brew, and they offer discounts for people bringing the bottles back rather than throwing them away. Loveland Coffee also uses plant based cleaners void of toxins and reusable towels. They’re big on water conservation and are also a Midlands Green Business Member.

Upon learning about 1% for the Planet, Loveland knew that there was another way that he could help give back to the planet through Loveland Coffee.

“We watched a documentary a little over a year ago called ‘Prosperity,’” Loveland said. “The premise is what can we do right now to drive the world in a better direction? This film explores positive examples of people actually doing it. It was there that I heard about 1% for the Planet, and I knew I wanted to be a change maker in my community through my business.”

Loveland Coffee has been connected with Congaree Riverkeeper, a local nonprofit that advocates to patrol and protect the rivers around the Midlands area. This connection was perfect for both Loveland Coffee and Congaree Riverkeeper for a variety of reasons. While 1% for the Planet has a list of Network Non-Profits for their members to partner with, there wasn’t one local to Columbia and Loveland was determined to work with a local one.

“We knew that we wanted to partner with someone regarding water,” Loveland said. “It plays such an important part in our business and is the lifeblood of our planet. For this reason, we partnered with Congaree Riverkeeper. I reached out to 1% for the Planet to have Congaree Riverkeeper added to the network. They had been wanting to find a way to be added, but since no one in Columbia was a 1% for the Planet business partner before us, they didn’t have anyone to request to add them. It worked out great for both of us.”

This year, in celebration of Earth Day, the team from Loveland Coffee went out to support Congaree Riverkeeper’s River Rocks Festival held on April 13, 2019. They are also working to schedule a company-wide work day with Congaree Riverkeeper in early to mid-May. They will be using Earth Day to bring awareness to their customers about 1% for the Planet and the ways that they can come alongside Loveland Coffee to help throughout the year.

“When nonprofits and businesses come together the planet wins,” said Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet. “All over the planet, nonprofits are doing essential work on behalf of the environment, many times their biggest challenge finding the funding to accomplish their goals. At 1% for the Planet we are proud to connect to dollars with doers to protect our planet for future generations to come.”