Another Reason to Love Dunkin’

Dunkin’ has created the End of Day Donation and composting programs to support positive environmental change.

It was back in 2005 when I did a taste test of over a dozen leading brands of coffees – and Dunkin’ was declared the ‘best coffee in America.” But now there is another reason to love Dunkin’ – and its all about environmental stewardship. Dunkin’ has created the End of Day Donation and composting programs to support positive environmental change.

What you may not know is that the chain is a 100% franchise system, and they are committed to providing franchisees with the resources they need to serve local non-profit community service and hunger relief organizations by donating surplus food from their restaurants. I do have to share that this program is voluntary and not mandated by the company; but it is a model I wish every coffee, fast food and QSR would follow. In 2020, Dunkin’ and National DCP (NDCP), the supply chain management company serving Dunkin’ restaurants, made a number of product donations during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. These donations to partner organizations, including Feeding America, amounted to more than 205,000 pounds of food and over 4,360 gallons of dairy. In addition to Dunkin’s End of Day Donation program, Dunkin’ has also developed a composting program as an option for franchisees who wish to compost coffee grounds and other organic waste. More than 80% of the brand’s guests consume their Dunkin’ orders outside of the restaurants. 

One example is Dunkin’ Franchisee, Kim Wolak, of Portland, Maine, who currently has 10 locations in the area and has been composting for more than eight years. Her team’s composting efforts have diverted nearly 1,879 tons from landfills, amounting to approximately 3.7 million pounds. Kim works with We Compost It!, a local company founded in 2009, to compost leftover food scraps. After completing the composting process at the We Compost It! plant in Auburn, Maine, the compost is then donated to local schools each spring for their school gardens. The compost is also shared as part of a give-back program with We Compost It! residential partners and the balance is sold in large shipments to garden centers and landscapers in and around Southern Maine.

Great coffee and a great commitment to Planet Earth.