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T2 | People & Planet First

By Jennifer Galvin-Rowley

T2 took its first sip 20 years ago in Melbourne, Australia on iconic Brunswick Street. From over two hundred unexpected flavours like ‘Jade Mountain’ to beloved favourites like ‘French Earl Grey’ and ‘Melbourne Breakfast’. There is a T2 tea to suit every style, taste and mood.

T2 teas are housed in orange gift cubes, which over the years have become an iconic symbol of the T2 brand. Every T2 store is an invitation to taste, smell and touch—an immersive and sensory journey into all that tea has to offer. T2 now sells quality teas and eclectic teawares all around the world.

T2’s People

Its people, like their teas, are a unique blend, coming together to embrace their differences, celebrate their diversity and create a brewing force for good in every T2 community.

T2’s Product

T2 products serves up a modern twist on an ancient ritual. From single-origin pure teas and unique flavours to bespoke teawares and innovative brew tools, there’s something to suit every tea lover.

Sustainability

Since committing to its sustainability transformation journey, the Australian company has reached significant milestones including:

  • As of July, 100% of all teawares are ethically sourced, according to strict SMETA or BSCI auditing standards
  • By the start of 2020, 60% of all tea (Camellia Sinensis) was sustainably sourced, which is up from 36% in 2018. 100% of all tea will be sustainably sourced by end 2020;
  • Reduced carbon emissions by 8.2% in 2019, of which 100% was offset; and
  • Diverted over 250 tonnes of waste from landfill annually through the use of recyclable bags and compostable materials and this continues to be a focus through reduction of the use of bags and packaging in 2020

T2 has also become one of Australia’s largest B Corp Certified retailers joining the global culture shift to redefine business success to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.

“Retailers and customers alike are looking for brands doing the right thing. We’ve had to reconsider what it means to be a brand redefining success in business, and that required a complete overhaul of our operations to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy, that benefits people and planet first,” said Derek Muirhead, T2 Managing Director.

Environmental impacts have become top of mind for businesses, with an increased demand for transparency and accountability at every level. This last year has seen T2 invest in sustainability, from introducing compostable and recyclable packaging and consumables, to formally measuring carbon footprints to better identify reduction opportunities and set focussed targets.

In March this year, T2 opened the doors to its Green Eco Concept Store in Bondi, Sydney. Its Green Star Design Review’s 5-star rating means that the new retail space represents ‘Australian Excellence’ in environmentally sustainable building practices.

“Since 2017, T2 has continued to evolve plans to revolutionise the way we do business, ensuring we are as sustainable and environmentally friendly as can be for all communities,” said Amy Smith, Global Brand Director, T2.

The business has worked to improve the supply chain of the tea industry globally, sourcing from suppliers that treat workers fairly, supporting communities and switching to sustainably sourced blends. T2 has quickly grown this from less than 2% to 38% sustainably sourced Camellia Sinensis in 2018, to 60% in 2019, and on track to 100% by the end of 2020.

“We are committed to taking responsibility for our actions and business practices, enforcing rigorous testing and controls, and remaining compliant – and contribute to improving the health and wellbeing of the industry,” she continued.

The Melbourne-born brand’s commitment to redefining business success has been grounded in five of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a compass to help define their people and planet ambitions:

    • No poverty – end poverty in all its forms everywhere

Gender Equality – achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Responsible Consumption and Production – Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Climate Action – take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Life on Land – protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems

Continuing to be leaders and agents for positive change, T2 is committed to expanding the boundaries of social and environmental responsibility within the broader business community. The sustainability journey will continue to drive T2 to be a business that treads lightly on the planet, as the brand endeavours to brew up a world that benefits all.

About B Corp

Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. B Corps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.

Society’s most challenging problems cannot be solved by government and nonprofits alone. The B Corp community works toward reduced inequality, lower levels of poverty, a healthier environment, stronger communities, and the creation of more high-quality jobs with dignity and purpose.

By harnessing the power of business, B Corps use profits and growth as a means to a greater end: positive impact for their employees, communities, and the environment.

B Corps form a community of leaders and drive a global movement of people using business as a force for good. The values and aspirations of the B Corp community are embedded in the B Corp Declaration of Interdependence.

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