Things we care about.. people & the planet!
Solar Power, Eco Roasting, Sustainably Sourced Coffee, Compostable & Reusable Cafe Items.
RoosRoast is committed to the local eco-system: the community, the people who work here everyday, and the planet earth we call home. It's not so easy being a small business in Ann Arbor, these days, but we are going on 20 years strong!
Many thanks to all our amazing fans in Ann Arbor and all over the country, who order from our webstore, you have allowed us to do what we love here at RoosRoast.
It starts by going back to what John Roos was raised on: industrial arts & common sense. Get a good night's sleep, conserve energy (turn off the lights when you leave a room, put on a sweater and turn down the heat, AC is a luxury), don’t carry debt, wash with soap and hot water, don’t use toxic chemicals (no Drano please!. Look carefully at things if there is an issue, treat the equipment you use day after day with respect. And love your team & your work.
Keep reading for all the things we are doing to be a smart, ethical and a sustainable business.
RoosRoast Enviro-Ethics
Roasting! Meet the RooosRoast Roaster! In 2015 we were the first roaster in Michigan to invest in the eco-friendly Loring Smart Roaster™. This roaster was damn expensive, yes, BUT after we tasted Lobster Butter Love, Cowboy, Rich French Neighbor, our other Ann Arbor niche blends, & our single origins roasted with the Loring Roaster we couldn’t NOT re-invest & purchase this fine piece of coffee machinery. Plus it’s energy efficient too. It uses 80% LESS energy than an equivalent roaster of its kind! So, yes, it was a no brainer game changer.
Certified Compostable! We pay more for compostable cups and bags!! Styrofoam should just not be a thing. So if you MUST use a to-go cup (do you really though???) you can rest assured your single-use cup will NOT last till the end of time. Thank you, worms.
Pulp-Paper Tea Tubes! Our latest sustainability upgrade!! Our loose leaf teas come in 100% pulp paper tubes that are compostable, recyclable, reusable AND completely biodegradable. Plus they are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified, which means you're using a tube that came from a very happy, sustainably grown forest. Commence joyful tree hugging.
Bring Your Own Container! What John Calls “Pre-cycle” the thing we can all do before the process of recycling. You don’t even need a permit or license. All this means is reusing a package or cup or anything. Did you know we give you a discount when you: Bring back your coffee bags for coffee bean refills and bring your own travel mug for drinks (50 ¢ off this is the best deal on specialty fresh roast coffee in town!) Buy a growler and fill it with our Ann Ann Arbor famous Lobster Butter Cold Brew ($2 off). You feel good, we feel good. You save $ & there's just less plastic & waste. All the energy used to make the packaging or even recycle the packaging, can be used for something more important.
Where We Get Our Beans! Through long time relationships with importers, coffee growers & logistics people around the world. Ethically sourced coffee, from farms that serve their communities. Through these long-term relationships we are able to continue to bring consistent high quality coffee to you and your friends and family day after day.
Employee Sustainability! We care about the RoosCrew. Our people stay with us because this is a great team of hard working people who are treated like the professionals they are. We offer health insurance, matching-401K, paid time off, paid holidays, and HR services.
RoosRoast Goes Solar
Soak up the sun
RoosRoast has been running on solar power since the summer of 2020! Every inch of the Rosewood HQ building is covered with solar panels. Solar power powers (hehe) our Rosewood cafe and all those espresso drinks you love!
RoosRoast on Rosewood stays open during power failures!
With solar panels, a generator, & the improv of the RoosCrew we will be open & get you a hot strong cup of RoosRoast when you need it most!
No Power? No Problem! See you at 1155 Rosewood Street.
Solar roof tour
Climb up on the RoosRoof with us and check out the panels! With bonus snowball throwing content.