Sustainability at Sacred Society
Quiet, continuous care. We make fewer, better choices—sourcing close to home, minimizing waste, and designing for longevity.
Last updated: January 1, 2024
Principles
Our Principles
Six elemental commitments guide our daily decisions and long-term vision.
Earth
Materials matter. We choose durable, repairable, and low-toxicity materials that age gracefully.
Water
Conservation and respect for flow. Every drop is considered in our daily operations.
Fire
Energy used thoughtfully. Equipment maintained for efficiency, spaces heated and cooled with care.
Breath
Low-scent policy throughout. Indoor air quality prioritized with natural ventilation and filtration.
Stone
Longevity over replacement. Timeless design that transcends trends and serves for generations.
Light
Transparency in reporting and progress. Honest about our journey, open about our challenges.
Practices
Our Practices
Concrete actions across our operations, from energy use to community engagement.
Energy
- LED lighting throughout
- Induction cooking equipment
- Occupied/unoccupied HVAC schedules
- Energy Star certified appliances
- 40% renewable energy mix
Water
- Low-flow fixtures (1.0 GPM)
- Intentional dishwasher cycles
- Greywater system research phase
- Native drought-tolerant landscaping
Materials
- Natural materials: stone, wood, linen
- Low-VOC paints and finishes
- Durable ceramics and glassware
- Repair-first maintenance policy
Waste
- Three-stream sorting: compost, recycle, landfill
- Back-of-house composting program
- Day-old pastry donation to local shelter
- Supplier packaging take-back program
Sourcing
- Partners within 400 miles when possible
- Organic prioritized for dirty dozen
- Direct farmer relationships
- Seasonal menu adjustments
Packaging
- Compostable cups and lids
- 25¢ discount for reusable cups
- Minimal ink on labels
- Returnable glass jar program
Community
- Monthly staff volunteer days
- Quarterly local vendor pop-ups
- Sustainability education evenings
- Community garden partnership
Transport
- Employee EcoPass subsidy
- Secure bike parking and repair station
- Electric vehicle charging (2 spots)
- Delivery consolidation program
Metrics & Targets
Metrics & Targets
Tracking our progress with transparency. Updated quarterly.
Waste Diverted from Landfill
Local Sourcing (≤400 mi)
Reusable Cup Uptake
Energy Intensity
"Less, but better. With care."
Suppliers & Partners
Suppliers & Partners
Building relationships with producers who share our values. Distance matters, but so does practice.
Fieldhouse Grains
Organic Grains
Pine & Steam Roasters
Coffee
Canyon Botanicals
Herbs & Teas
Mountain Valley Dairy
Dairy
Urban Harvest Co-op
Produce
Average distance: 156 miles ·Local (≤50mi): 40% ·Regional (≤400mi): 100%
Guest Guidance
How you can participate in our sustainability efforts.
- Bring a reusable cup for a 25¢ discount
- Use our clearly marked sorting bins—ask if unsure
- Honor our low-scent policy for sensitive guests
- Consider biking or transit (we're on the 32 bus line)
- Return glass jars for our deposit program
- Join us for monthly sustainability workshops
Roadmap
Roadmap
What we're working on next. Timeline estimates, subject to refinement.
Switch to closed-loop milk containers
Q4 2024Partnering with local dairy for returnable glass
Expand cup library + return bins
Q1 2025Free borrowable cups for in-café use
Install smart sub-metering
Q1–Q2 2025Track energy use by zone for optimization
Solar panel feasibility study
Q2 2025Exploring rooftop solar with battery storage
Zero-waste certification
2025Working toward TRUE Zero Waste certification
Questions & Feedback
Share ideas, concerns, or partnership opportunities. We typically respond within 2 business days.
You can also reach us directly at care@sacredsociety.com or call (720) 706-6509
Policy & Review
Reviewed quarterly; v1.0 published January 1, 2024; v1.1 metric update pending. This page is versioned and updated as operations evolve.
Standards: We follow TRUE Zero Waste principles, B Corp assessment framework, and LEED operational guidelines where applicable.
"The earth does not belong to us. We belong to the earth."
— Chief Seattle