Melitta has been offering a wide variety of products which meet strict sustainability criteria for many years now. These include, for example, Melitta® filter papers manufactured using FSC®-certified pulp (Forest Stewardship Council®). In addition, we use bamboo as a raw material for our Melitta® Natura filter papers (fast-growing bamboo accounts for 40 percent of the total raw materials used in their production). A large proportion of our filter paper range is also certified according to other sustainability labels, such as “The Blue Angel” in Germany, “NF Environnement“ in France”, and “Nordic Swan” in Scandinavia.
A growing number of our B2B, coffee and HORECA products are also produced using sustainable resources and the development of many items in the Swirl® range takes account of sustainability criteria. These include our bio garbage bags and bio decalcifier series which are all fully bio-degradable, or our Swirl® dust filter bags with the Pro Nature seal (recycled and renewable materials account for 40 percent of raw materials used in production).
The MISSION eco & care label we introduced in 2013 indicates the sustainability of our electrical appliances and coffee filters. The label informs consumers about the extent to which ecological and social aspects were considered during the manufacturing of the respective product. The assessment process is conducted by an external institute and takes a wide variety of criteria into account: from the use of environmentally compatible resources, to energy consumption, and the working conditions at our suppliers’ facilities. At the same time, the underlying rating system serves to benchmark the sustainability of the products and to show the scope for improving the sustainability of future new products.
We have been supporting internationally recognized sustainability organizations and initiatives, such as Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, UTZ Certified and the 4C Association, for many years now. All these organizations are committed to improving working conditions and environmental standards in the coffee-growing countries, provide assistance for people to help themselves, and have specified a catalogue of minimum standards for sustainable coffee growing.