The environment

Respecting the environment

Illycaffè’s commitment to protecting the ecosystem excellencies are rooted in long-time ideals and practice, not a reaction to newfound consumer awareness or government mandate. The company works in harmony with the land at every step, ever striving to reduce the environmental impact of its production process – from remote plantations to the factory in Trieste, Italy.

In coffee-growing countries, illycaffè protects forests and saves resources by using innovative growing, production and processing techniques, many pioneered or perfected by the company. 

For example, the most ecologically sound post-harvest processing technique is the semi-washed method. Deemed obsolete until illycaffè modernized and improved it, the semi-washed method preserves up to 90 percent of the water consumed in other methods, and greatly reduces potentially polluting waste water.

Illycaffè has invested significant resources to limit the environmental impact of its central Trieste facility, steadily increasing its share of recycled waste while reducing energy consumption.
 
A new roasting unit that began operating in 2003 has greatly reduced atmospheric emissions (to as much as one-twentieth of the legal limit); even while considerably increasing production capacity.
 
Illycaffè’s environmental policies have been widely recognized by leading global authorities. These include the UNI EN ISO 14001 standard, certifying the company’s environmental management system, and the EMAS certification strictly governing emissions, energy consumption and waste recycling, monitoring critical areas and reporting targets and results.