At Chaiiwala, community has always been at the heart of everything we do. From the very first cup of our signature Karak Chaii to the hundred millionth, we’ve been humbled and inspired by the loyalty of our customers. It’s thanks to you – the chaii lovers, the foodies, the friends and families who gather in our stores – that we’ve grown from a single humble site to more than 127 stores across five countries, with many more set to open in the years ahead.
Now, we believe it’s time to give something back. Not just to our community, but to the planet we all share. That’s why we’ve launched our Green Tea Initiative – a long-term commitment to making every cup of chaii a greener one.
Our boldest pledge yet? To ensure that 100% of our packaging will be recyclable by 2030.
It’s an ambitious goal, but ambition is nothing new to Chaiiwala. Just as we transformed the British high street food scene with South Asian street food culture, we’re now ready to lead the way in sustainable dining.
Why Sustainability Matters to Us
Tea has always been a symbol of togetherness, warmth, and hospitality. Across cultures and generations, it’s a ritual that brings people closer. But in the modern world, we must also recognise that our everyday rituals have an impact on the environment.
Think of the millions of cups, lids, straws, boxes, and containers that move through our stores each year. Every item has a lifecycle – from the raw materials used to make it, to how it’s transported, used, and ultimately disposed of. For too long, food packaging has been a major contributor to landfill waste and environmental damage.
At Chaiiwala, we know that small changes on our end can lead to big changes for the planet. If we can make the experience of enjoying chaii and street food more sustainable, we’ll not only reduce waste but also inspire our community to embrace greener choices in everyday life.
Progress Already Underway
A pledge to be 100% recyclable by 2030 might sound like a mountain to climb – but we’re already halfway up. Today, over 70% of our takeaway packaging is fully recyclable, and we’re investing in new solutions every year to push that number even higher.
Here are some of the steps we’ve already taken:
Switching to Wooden Cutlery and Paper Straws
Plastic straws and cutlery are among the most notorious single-use plastics, often ending up in oceans where they cause devastating harm to marine life. At Chaiiwala, we’ve phased out these plastics and replaced them with wooden cutlery and high-quality paper straws (yes, the good ones – no soggy mess halfway through your drink!).
Training Staff in Waste Minimisation
Sustainability isn’t just about products – it’s about people too. Every member of our team, from baristas to managers, is being trained on waste minimisation techniques. That means smarter use of resources, better recycling practices, and a culture of mindfulness about how our everyday actions affect the planet.
Reducing Energy and Water Use
You may have noticed that in some of our stores, we’re serving meals in takeaway containers even when dining in. This isn’t just to capture the authentic street food vibe; it also helps reduce our reliance on dishwashers, which are energy- and water-intensive machines. By cutting down on dishwasher use, we’re conserving natural resources and making every meal just a little bit greener.
The Big Goal: 100% Recyclable by 2030
So what does “100% recyclable” really mean? Simply put, by 2030, every single piece of packaging we provide – from cups and lids to boxes and bags – will be designed to be fully recyclable within existing waste management systems.
For a company of our size, with over 127 stores (and growing), this is no small feat. Packaging technology is evolving, supply chains are complex, and customer expectations are high. But we believe that with the right innovation and partnerships, we can lead the way.
Already, we’re working closely with suppliers to source eco-friendly materials, trialling new types of biodegradable films, and exploring closed-loop recycling systems that keep materials in use for longer.
By setting a clear timeline of 2030, we’re holding ourselves accountable – and we invite our customers to hold us accountable too.
Beyond Packaging: Other Ways We’re Going Green
Of course, packaging is only part of the story. Our Green Tea Initiative is about much more than cups and straws. Here are a few more ways we’re helping to make a difference:
Smaller, Smarter Stores
One of our most exciting innovations is the launch of shipping container stores. You may have already spotted one at Watford Gap service station – a unique street food format that’s just one-tenth the size of a traditional store.
These compact spaces reduce our reliance on virgin building materials, take up less land, and use energy more efficiently. Plus, they give us the flexibility to bring Chaiiwala to new locations without the environmental footprint of a full-scale store.
Fighting Food Waste with “Too Good To Go”
We’re proud to be working with Too Good To Go, an app that helps businesses sell surplus food at reduced prices instead of throwing it away. At selected stores, this partnership has already saved over 10,000 meals from going to waste – and we’re only just getting started.
Food waste is one of the biggest contributors to climate change, and by finding homes for meals that might otherwise be binned, we’re not only cutting emissions but also helping our community enjoy Chaiiwala at a more affordable price.
Smarter Energy Use
From LED lighting to energy-efficient cooking equipment, we’re continually upgrading our stores to reduce energy consumption. Every small step adds up – and with more than 127 stores, the cumulative impact is significant.
What This Means for Our Community
Our Green Tea Initiative isn’t just about what happens behind the scenes – it’s about you, our customers. Every time you pick up a cup of Karak Chaii or tuck into a street food classic, you’re part of this movement. By supporting Chaiiwala, you’re supporting a brand that is actively working to protect the planet.
We also believe in education through experience. When you see recyclable packaging, wooden cutlery, or smaller store formats, we hope it sparks conversations about sustainability in your own life. Together, these small shifts in culture can add up to meaningful change.
Looking Ahead
By 2030, our vision is clear: every Chaiiwala product you hold in your hand will be recyclable. But our ambition doesn’t stop there. We want to keep pushing boundaries, exploring biodegradable alternatives, investing in renewable energy, and supporting causes that align with our mission to make chaii truly green.
Join Us on the Journey
Change is always more powerful when it’s shared. That’s why we’re inviting you – our loyal chaii lovers – to join us on this journey.
- Recycle: Dispose of your Chaiiwala packaging responsibly whenever you can.
- Spread the word: Share our Green Tea Initiative with friends and family to inspire more people to make sustainable choices.
- Stay connected: Follow us on social media for regular updates on our progress, behind-the-scenes stories, and tips on how you can help the planet too.
Together, we can prove that enjoying a cup of chaii doesn’t have to come at the cost of the environment.
Final Sip
At Chaiiwala, we’ve always believed in the power of chaii to bring people together. Now, we’re harnessing that same spirit of community to protect the world we all share.
With over 100 million cups of chaii already enjoyed and many more to come, we’re determined to ensure that every single one contributes to a greener, brighter future.
By 2030, all of our packaging will be recyclable. That’s our promise. But the journey starts now – one cup, one container, one small change at a time.
So next time you sip your Karak Chaii, know that you’re part of something bigger. Together, we’re making every cup of tea a green tea.
