Primavera Projects
The future of our sustainability efforts
Sustainability has always been at the heart of Primavera’s mission. From the very beginning, we have recognized that the future of coffee depends on responsible stewardship of both the land and the people who cultivate it. As we look ahead to the next decade, Primavera Green Coffee is deepening our commitment to sustainability by placing a stronger emphasis on environmental responsibility—without losing sight of farmer’s economic priorities.
The need for collective action to combat climate breakdown is here, now. In 2025 we're kicking off a decade dedicated to solving the world's most urgent issue: the protection and restoration of our natural world. To accomplish this, we are looking closely at our own value chains, focusing on environmental concerns with more in-depth risk analysis and investing in exciting new projects.
To ensure their full support, we are in constant conversation with our producer partners to create systems that not only protect natural resources but also help farmers save time and reduce costs. Additionally, we are engaging with a trusted third party charity, The Chain Collaborative, to provide due diligence and development support.
Vermicompost & Biochar
Guatemala's coffee farms are facing significant challenges due to the changing climate. A historic reliance on chemical fertilizers has led to greenhouse gas emissions and soil degradation while also squeezing farmers’ profitability.
Composting, with proper management, can result in a valuable fertilizer with none of the risks associated with chemical fertilizers. The addition of worms, nature's digesters, speeds up the process and increases soil biodiversity and available nutrients such as nitrogen. Biochar, which can be made from coffee pulp, sequesters carbon while also increasing soil humidity and nutrient uptake, making it a perfect companion to vermicomposting.
In 2025, our new vermicompost project will kick off with 20 demo farms, each given materials and training throughout the season - free of charge - to test the efficacy of worm compost and biochar on improving soil health, reducing chemical fertilisers, and reducing farmer costs.
Aguas Mieles: Water Treatment
Water is essential for coffee production in Guatemala, but the wastewater from coffee processing, called aguas mieles ('honey water') in Spanish, can be harmful to the environment. Aguas mieles contain high levels of sugars, acids, and enzymes, which can be harmful to aquatic and human life, and can damage municipal water systems.
One solution to this problem is the use of biodigesters, which break down harmful organic matter through anaerobic digestion using naturally occurring microorganisms. Primavera's Aguas Mieles project will install lagoon-style wastewater treatment systems on ten pilot farms in 2025, providing farmers with materials, training, and long-term observation.
These projects are part of Primavera’s ten-year strategy to improve environmental sustainability within our supply chain. They are being implemented in conjunction with The Chain Collaborative, a US-based non-profit which specializes in coffee communities.
We’re excited to share more updates as this project unfolds. Stay tuned for progress reports and ways you can support our sustainability efforts!
You can find more info on our 2025 sustainability projects here: