Is Dunkin’s Coffee Ethically Sourced? What You Should Know About Its Practices

As consumers grow more conscious of where their coffee comes from, Dunkin' has committed to sourcing 100% responsibly grown beans by 2025. The company’s use of Fair-Trade Certified coffee and partnership with the Rainforest Alliance highlights its efforts, but the path to full ethical sourcing is complex.

Dunkin' Aims for 100% Responsibly Sourced Coffee by 2025, But Challenges Remain in Global Operations

When purchasing a cup of coffee, many people want to ensure that their choice is not contributing to unethical practices or causing harm across the globe. Starbucks and Dunkin' are two of the largest coffee chains in the U.S., so it's essential to understand the ethical implications of spending money at either establishment. Fortunately, Dunkin is making strides in responsibly sourcing its coffee. According to Tasting Table, the company has committed to using 100% responsibly sourced coffee by 2025, but it’s crucial to assess its actions to verify the validity of this claim.

One of the critical steps Dunkin' has taken is using only Fair-Trade Certified coffee beans for its espresso. Its 100% Arabica beans come primarily from Central and South America, with significant sourcing locations in Honduras and Guatemala. Dunkin' has also supported initiatives such as planting 450,000 trees in 2021, sponsoring World Coffee Research, and joining The Sustainable Coffee Challenge to ensure that coffee is grown and traded sustainably and ethically. The company’s partnership with The Rainforest Alliance further highlights its commitment to improving environmental impact and working conditions in coffee-producing regions.

However, ethical sourcing is only sometimes straightforward. Dunkin' operates in nearly 40 countries through franchises, meaning that while branding and bean sourcing remain consistent, day-to-day operations are managed independently. This complicates the evaluation of the brand’s overall ethical practices. For instance, in 2016, two former employees in Chicago filed a lawsuit claiming they were not compensated for overtime, a reminder that Dunkin’s practices can vary from location to location. While the company’s sustainability efforts are commendable, consumers should remain mindful of broader labor issues within the brand’s international network.

Ethicality in business is a nuanced subject, and as consumers, it's crucial to scrutinize all available information. This goes beyond just the coffee itself—understanding the company's business practices, worker treatment, and environmental impact should all factor into one’s decisions.

Transparency Is Key: How to Evaluate Dunkin's Ethical Sourcing Amid Greenwashing Concerns

Evaluating the ethicality of any company requires a critical lens, especially given the rise of greenwashing—where businesses make exaggerated or misleading claims about their sustainability efforts. For example, in January 2024, Starbucks faced a lawsuit over claims that its coffee was ethically sourced, raising concerns about transparency in the industry. This situation underscores the importance of holding all companies, including Dunkin', to high ethical standards, much like we increasingly do with other industries like wine and fashion.

Transparency is one of the most vital indicators of a company's ethical commitment. Companies that are open about their sourcing practices clearly state the regions where they purchase coffee and show how they positively contribute to local communities and the environment tend to be more trustworthy. On the other hand, vague or ambiguous language around sustainability goals—like promising 100% ethical coffee by a specific date without providing clear steps on how they plan to achieve it—can be a red flag.

Look for specific, quantifiable measures to determine if a company practices ethical sourcing. General claims about sustainability should be backed up with concrete details, and third-party certifications such as Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance seals offer more credibility, as they indicate that external reviews have validated the company’s practices.

In sum, determining whether coffee is ethically sourced involves more than believing the marketing—it requires ticking several boxes, from transparency to third-party validation. And it’s not just about Dunkin'—evaluating the ethical practices of all the coffee spots you frequent can help ensure your choices align with your values.