This sustainable coffee brand is tackling one of the industry’s biggest waste problems — and it starts with your morning cup
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Earth Day tends to bring out big promises from brands. But for Cambio Roasters Coffee, sustainability isn’t a seasonal talking point, it’s the foundation of their business.
'In 2017, we left our corporate jobs… to start something that was much more rewarding,' the founder, Kevin Hartley said.
Founded in 2018, the coffee brand set out to solve a problem hiding in plain sight: single-use coffee pods. According to the company, more than 40 million pods end up in landfills every day. So they set out to challenge those stats.
A bold, full-bodied dark roast made with 100% organic beans, delivering rich notes of dark chocolate and dried fruit in every cup.
Packed in recyclable aluminum pods and designed for Keurig machines, it offers a fresher, more sustainable take on your daily coffee.
So what was Cambio Roasters solution? Rethink the pod entirely.
Instead of plastic, Cambio developed aluminum coffee pods designed to be infinitely recyclable and compatible with existing Keurig machines, meaning consumers don’t have to sacrifice convenience to make a more sustainable choice.
The brand was launched by longtime coffee industry insiders who left corporate jobs in 2017 to address the environmental impact of single-use pods.
For me, this story hit even a little closer to home. I grew up in Vermont, where sustainability isn’t marketed, it’s expected. It’s something that quietly shapes how you see the world, even years later.
That same mindset is embedded in Cambio’s DNA, a company founded in Vermont. Hartley said: 'Growing up in Vermont… being thoughtful and sustainable is in the fabric of my being.'
Cambio’s coffee model focuses on eliminating single-use plastic entirely, while also incorporating organic beans and initiatives like ocean cleanup partnerships and farmer support programs!
Still, building a sustainable product that can compete with mainstream options hasn’t been without challenges.
Hartley noted, 'The real balancing act is closing that gap… sustainability only becomes impactful when it’s accessible enough for people to choose it every day.'
A smooth, medium roast Colombian coffee made with organic beans and packed in recyclable aluminum pods for a more sustainable daily brew. Designed for Keurig compatibility, it delivers rich flavor without the plastic waste.
And while sustainability might draw shoppers in, the brand says it’s the quality that keeps them coming back. 'People switch for sustainable reasons, but stay for the rich flavor!' said the founder. (And let us be the first to confirm — the coffee is downright delicious).
As Earth Month comes to an end, it’s a reminder that meaningful change doesn’t always require a complete lifestyle overhaul. Sometimes, it’s as simple as rethinking the products you use every day... like your morning cup of coffee!
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