Little Al’s Kitchen is a great example of sustainable hospitality in Worcester, proudly winning the 2022 Ethical, Responsible, and Sustainable Tourism Award from Visit Worcestershire. Their commitment to eco-friendly practices is evident throughout their operations. They use plant-based, compostable takeaway cups and have eliminated single-use plastics, choosing canned water and plastic-free cold drinks instead. Waste reduction is a key focus—used coffee grounds are offered to customers for composting, and all packaging materials are either upcycled or recycled. Uniforms are sustainably sourced, made from organic cotton and recycled plastic bottles. Local sourcing is central to their values, with partnerships including family-run businesses like Coffee Masters and Mawley Town Farm. Beyond their cafés, Little Al’s has also planted over 22,000 trees, supporting broader environmental restoration. Their comprehensive approach makes them a leading example of green business in the region.
Local Ethical and Sustainable Cafe's
In 2022, we were proudly awarded the Ethical, Responsible, and Sustainable Tourism Award for our dedication to implementing the best ethical and environmental practices in our business.
Little Al’s Kitchen has made significant strides in reducing plastic waste. They have completely eliminated single-use plastics from their operations, opting instead for sustainable alternatives such as plant-based, compostable takeaway cups. Cold drinks are served in plastic-free packaging, and they offer canned water instead of bottled. These steps help reduce the environmental impact of their cafes and align with a growing demand for greener consumer options.
Minimising waste is a core part of Little Al’s sustainability strategy. Used coffee grounds are not discarded but are instead offered to customers to use in their gardens as compost. Packaging materials from their suppliers are either recycled or creatively passed to people who need them, helping to divert waste from landfill. These efforts reflect a proactive approach to environmental stewardship in day-to-day operations.
Little Al’s Kitchen prioritises local and ethical sourcing. They work with nearby, family-run suppliers such as Coffee Masters and Mawley Town Farm to ensure that their ingredients are fresh, responsibly sourced, and support the local economy. This reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation and reinforces their commitment to community-based sustainability.
Their sustainability ethos extends beyond their cafés. Little Al’s has planted over 22,000 trees as part of their wider environmental initiatives. Owner, Al, also dedicates time when possible to speak to other businesses to share best practice and easy steps to become a greener independent business, speaking at events such as Visit Worcestershire’s ethical, sustainable, and responsible business networking event at West Midland Safari Park. These efforts show a dedication to both environmental restoration and responsible business practices that extend into every aspect of the brand.
A benefit of using green suppliers is that many provide information on the environmental impact of your choices. This can effectively demonstrate your dedication and attract a green-conscious customer base. Even if you don’t get this information from your suppliers, it can be a great idea to track the impact of even the smallest of changes as it all adds up!
