As a national coffee supplier, Van Duijnen Koffie plays an important role in managing goods and waste flows. Director Paul Kragten sees circular entrepreneurship not only as a moral responsibility, but also as a practical necessity. "As a company, we have the opportunity to reduce our footprint and we must take advantage of this opportunity," he says.
A turning point
About a decade ago, Kragten was at a crossroads in his career. One Friday afternoon, he was confronted by his children: "You are always so grumpy at the end of the week." That comment hit him. He realised he got little satisfaction from his work. "I didn't feel like I really meant anything," he said. He even considered selling his companies to do "something sustainable", until he realised: why not become more sustainable precisely within my own companies?
Van Duijnen Koffie
That decision brought about a fundamental change in the operations of the Van Duijnen Group, which includes Van Duijnen Koffie and Van Duijnen Horeca Service. Since then, sustainability is no longer an afterthought, but a core part of the three-pillar strategy:
- Waste no more
- CO₂ neutral, quite normal
- With respect for everyone
Van Duijnen Koffie aims to be the most surprising workplace coffee supplier with complete hot beverage solutions. "By now, 100 per cent of our coffees are in recyclable packaging. We also see more and more customers opting for a refurbished coffee machine: 100 per cent of our machines are reused or recycled," says Kragten.
In addition, it has become increasingly clear in recent years that earnings in the coffee chain are disproportionately distributed. There is still much to improve in terms of sustainability and profitability in the countries of origin, including through regenerative agriculture. Kragten continues: "Van Duijnen Koffie wants to play an active role in this and is going to take steps to increasingly buy coffee directly from areas where it is grown in a sustainable way and where fair returns reach farmers. The ultimate step is having the beans roasted in the country of origin, thus increasing local employment and making the coffee chain fairer."
Van Duijnen Horeca Service
"At Van Duijnen Horeca Service, we focus on technical services, for example for large venues such as the Ziggo Dome, but also for smaller clients such as sports associations. And we now do that with an emphatic focus on sustainability. We help entrepreneurs with sustainable tap and cooling solutions that prevent waste, save energy and reduce costs on purchasing."
Sustainable entrepreneurship
Kragten emphasises that sustainability is not just idealism: it can also be financially attractive. An example is the investment in a press for commercial waste. "Where we used to need three trucks every week, we now only need one. That not only saves CO₂ emissions, but also costs." Still, he finds that sustainability in offices is not yet self-evident. "At home, people now often separate their waste, but in the workplace it remains difficult. It's all about awareness and a little extra effort."
" What you guys are doing is really inspiring. It's a huge motivation. "
Paul Kragten, Director Van Duijnen
Leading the market
The steps taken by Van Duijnen have given the company an edge in the market. "Sustainable business attracts not only environmentally conscious customers, but also talented employees. Where we used to struggle to get young professionals from Amsterdam to Almere, they now consciously choose us. I often hear during job interviews: 'What you do is really inspiring.' That's a huge motivation."
The future
Paul Kragten clearly articulates his mission: "To make a positive contribution to a better world for people and nature. This is a prerequisite for us to do business. Every decision we make is based on this, in all facets of our business. From our products and services we purchase and offer to our housing and our fleet of vehicles." For Kragten, circular business is more than a strategy: it is a philosophy. "With a strong focus on sustainability, Van Duijnen Koffie not only remains a pioneer in its sector, but also inspires others to do business responsibly. It's not just about delivering coffee, but about making a difference together."
More information: www.vanduijnen.nl and www.vanduijnenhoreca.nl
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