Green Mountain Coffee Roasters

To Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (GMCR), a cup of joe is more than a drink. It’s an experience—one that a growing customer base looks forward to every day. Founded in 1981 as a small café in Waitsfield, VT, GMCR is now a leader in specialty coffee and coffee makers.

Along with its award-winning coffees and innovative brewing technology, GMCR is also known for its socially responsible business practices. The company incorporates energy efficiency into designs and strategies for its new buildings and expansion projects, including upgrades in: 

• compressed air systems - variable speed compressors and dryers, efficient pipe design, and control strategies that optimize performance HVAC technology - high efficiency heat exchangers and chillers 
• roasting technology - variable speed fans 
• lighting systems - high efficiency fluorescent and LED technology

GMCR has collaborated with Efficiency Vermont on over 27 projects during the last five years. They include office space renovations that achieved Gold and Silver certification under the LEED for Commercial Interiors Rating System, as well as the 80,000 square foot expansion of its Waterbury, VT manufacturing plant and a newly-expanded 215,000 square foot facility in Essex, VT. As a result, the company’s annual energy savings total more than $725,000.

GMCR plans to install sub-metering to achieve real-time efficiency metrics. The company will also continue using LEED as a guide when building office space.

In keeping with its deep environmental commitment, GMCR includes energy efficiency in job descriptions for roles impacting its energy footprint. Company managers provide efficiency goals to all manufacturing facilities. Their efforts are tracked monthly and reported quarterly to the entire organization.

The company’s sustainability commitment extends far outside its walls. GMCR invests in sustainably grown coffee, allocates a portion of its pre-tax profits to socially and environmentally responsible initiatives and has reduced its climate impact by offsetting greenhouse gas emissions.

GMCR is one company whose sustainability success is as rich and deep as its famous java. No wonder its motto is “Brewing a Better World Together™.”