T2’s commitment to sustainability and diversity

Tea store chain, T2, has released their impact report for 2021. The report detailed their ongoing push for diversity and their focus on sustainable practices.

The company has exceeded their sustainability targets for the year. T2 aims to have 90 per cent of their waste diverted from landfill by 2023, pushing towards zero waste. 45 per cent of T2 stores are using sustainable energy, with plans to provide the same at other locations this year.

T2 global managing director, Derek Muirhead, said: “This report provides proof of T2’s deep commitment across the supply chain to do good for people and planet, demonstrating our ongoing dedication to ethical and responsible business practices.”

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is also a priority for the company. Currently, 75 per cent of T2’s leadership roles are held by women. A survey conducted found that 85 per cent of employees felt comfortable and respected at work.

“Underpinned by B Corp, our 2021 Impact Report is part of our purpose to be transparent and to establish leadership in the tea category as a ‘good business’ that supports [DEI] and best sustainable practice for the planet,” said Mr Muirhead.

“A prime example is our Certified lemongrass project, which has brought great benefit to T2 and our supplier in Thailand, helping to protect biodiversity in cultivation areas, improving soil health and reducing emissions. This is a key partnership that we plan to continue with further discussions planned later this year.”

T2 coincided their report release with 7 September: the United Nations International Day of clear air for blue skies. This initiative encourages corporations and governments to think about their pollution output.

The United Nations (UN) says that “99% of the world’s population is now breathing polluted air.” This year’s theme is ‘The Air We Share’, and focuses on this alarming figure. The UN states that we can halve losses of crops globally by 2050 and could save $4-$33 billion USD, if we act now.

Recently, T2 has pushed to achieve 100 per cent sustainability in their tea, with carbon emissions reduced by 15 per cent between 2020 and 2021.

Companies could take note from the initiatives taken by T2 to support their employees. Some of them are funding for flu vaccinations, expanding flexible working arrangements, establishing a diversity and inclusion policy, and introducing a mental health and wellbeing day where distribution and support will be closed.

T2’s full report is available here.