Our Commitment to Sustainability

At our iGUANA online shop, we believe that great coffee and Guayusa Tea can only come from a deep respect for our planet and the people who cultivate it. At iGUANA, our commitment to sustainability is the cornerstone of our business, guiding every decision from sourcing to packaging.

iGUANA social projects

iGUANA is a walk of opportunities for children  

  • Helping children with cancer: We support children at an oncologic hospital in Ecuador, where our founder Carolina, was treated as a child. Your purchase helps provide essential care and support for these brave young patients.
  • Empowering coffee farming families: We assist children of coffee-farming families by offering education on maximising the value of each coffee bean. This knowledge empowers the next generation with better opportunities in the specialty coffee industry.   

1€ per kg of coffee and 1€ per 500g of Guayusa Tea goes to our projects. 

 

Ethical Sourcing 
Our journey begins in the lush regions of Ecuador, where we source the finest coffee beans and guayusa leaves from small, family-owned farms. We prioritize working with farmers who practice sustainable agriculture, ensuring that their methods promote soil health, biodiversity, and water conservation. By fostering long-term partnerships, we support fair wages and improved living conditions for the farmers and their communities.

Eco-friendly Packing

Packaging is a significant environmental concern, and we are dedicated to reducing our footprint. Our coffee and Guayusa Tea come in recyclable and biodegradable packaging, including our 250 g and 1 kg coffee bags. We continuously explore innovative materials and solutions to minimize waste.

 

Carbon Neutral Shipping

We recognize the environmental impact of shipping products. Our goal is to achieve carbon-neutral shipping, ensuring that every order contributes to a healthier planet.

Sustainable Roasting Practices

In Berlin, our coffee roasting facility operates with sustainability at its core. By controlling the roasting process, we ensure that our coffee beans are fresh, flavorful, and sustainably produced.

Community Engagement and Education

Sustainability is not just about environmental practices; it's also about creating a community that values and understands the importance of these efforts. We host regular workshops and events in Berlin, such as our coffee cupping and guayusa tea sessions, where participants can learn about the origins, benefits, and sustainable practices behind our products. You may have seen us at the Fête de la Musique.
Through education, we empower our customers to make informed choices that support sustainability.

 

Continuous Improvement

Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. We are committed to continuously evaluating and improving our practices. We actively seek feedback from our customers and partners to identify areas where we can do better. Our transparency in this process ensures that we remain accountable and dedicated to our mission.
By choosing our specialty coffee and guayusa tea, you are not just enjoying high-quality products; you are supporting a business that prioritizes the well-being of our planet and the people who make it all possible.
Together, we can make a positive impact, one cup at a time. Thank you for joining us on this sustainable journey.

¡Bienvenido a iGUANA! 

We are pleased that you are interested in iGUANA and our products. iGUANA brings Ecuadorian speciality coffee and Guayusa tee to your table. 

You may be wondering why the focus on Ecuador? The answer is: iGUANA is about more than just coffee and tea. Our founder Carolina was born and raised in Ecuador before moving to Spain with her family at the age of 10. A formative childhood experience inspired her to support the people of Ecuador and especially children.

Fast forward to 2022, we founded iGUANA to make this a reality - starting with coffee...

About Our Partners

We currently work with two cooperatives and therefore only offer a small selection of specialty coffees. However, we are expanding our network and will offer more in the near future.

Here are stories about two people from these cooperatives.

Don Antonio

At the age of 85, Don António farms his fields, which he inherited from his grandfathers, alone. On these he grows coffee, guayusa, oranges, cacao and lemons in mixed culture. When he invited us to his finca we could see how strong he still is for his age and how well he knows his fields and the tools he needs for his daily work. Passing this knowledge on to the next generations is a challenge, because the craft of coffee growing is not very popular with the youngest generation.

Vicente

Vicente is a manager at the ACRIM cooperative, which has around 150 farmers as members. In addition to looking after the farmers and customers, he is responsible for quality management. Due to the high standards and excellent quality management, the cooperative delivers premium coffees.

While cultivating the fields and harvesting is in the hands of each farmer, through the cooperative they share the facilities for further processing, such as washing, sorting or drying.