No one encompassing certification, logo or label accredits a business as “sustainable.” At Rishi Tea & Botanicals, we subscribe to being a conscious business where our entire ecosystem matters. From the farmers we work with overseas to our manufacturing conditions at home, we are steadfast in following our code of ethics and ensuring the well-being of all the parties involved. A conscious business is one that pays attention to both the raw materials and the human effort, recognizing it is the sum of these resources that creates a sustainable and resilient business.
One of our missions at Rishi Tea is to change the behavior of consumers, introducing them to the benefits of choosing organic food and beverages. With the support of local co-ops and national chains who share this calling, the availability of organic options is ever-increasing. We consider ourselves ambassadors of the organic movement – approximately 95% of our products are certified organic and we have been a leader in the market in North America since our inception in 1997. By creating demand for organic teas and botanicals, we are showing the origin farmers that there is a sustainable business opportunity in meeting this demand.
For years, we provided only loose leaf tea to the market, knowing full-well producing and offering tea bags held big financial opportunity. On a quest for a material that was compostable, BPA-free and allowed for an authentic infusion of our teas and botanicals, we researched and experimented with many variations of a sachet fabric. We refused to sell ourselves short just to participate in a market segment. In 2013, we finally found a sachet that met our quality standards and respected the environment.
We are also advocates of Direct Trade – by cutting out the middlemen we can work directly with the farmers in a collaborative effort. Throughout the year our buyers are in the fields consulting, tasting and developing authentic relationships with our farmers. The farmers we work with understand that in following elevated standards for farming and production, they will receive a committed partnership from us. At Rishi Tea & Botanicals, we believe that 100% of the price paid for tea should be left on the table of the farmers who worked to bring the product to us.
Our conscious culture was put on showcase in 2014, when Rishi moved into a 48,000sf headquarters in Milwaukee, WI. During the construction of this state-of-the-art facility, attention was given to mindful practices. Lighting is LED and motion-controlled in areas of low activity, all appliances are energy-saving and some of the materials were reclaimed from a few of Milwaukee’s former buildings. Our employees have initiated many philanthropic activities including volunteering in greenhouses, soup kitchens, energy fairs and other outlets. We also work with Milwaukee gardens to compost any excess product, thus feeding the next cycle of trees and plants in our community’s own backyard. A consciously sustainable culture is the very fabric of Rishi Tea & Botanicals.