Stories From the Trails: Banff Tea Co. Makes a Big Impact with Small Leaves
Running a tea store in the heart of the Canadian Rockies is rewarding. Owning and operating any business in a national park comes with responsibility. Protecting the ecological integrity of the park is a priority for all who work, live, and do business here.
For Siona Gartshore, Zero Waste Trailblazer, Tea Sommelier, and owner of Banff Tea Co., this commitment comes naturally. Born in the United Kingdom to “hippy parents” and raised with an organic garden, it seems inevitable that she would enter the world of tea and prioritize limiting her environmental impact. “Caring for the planet is in the heart of what we do,” she shared.
Infusing Sustainability into Every Cup
Nestled on Caribou Street, the Banff Tea Co. houses over 200 varieties of loose-leaf tea – the second-most drank liquid in the world. Before these blends reach the hands of visitors and locals, Siona says she makes decisions that, while seemingly small, have a significant impact on how her business contributes to the greater good.
“I think it’s about community involvement. You see things going on in the world, and it makes you think, what can I do? And so, what I can do is definitely control what’s going on within my business,” she says.
Siona pays attention to the small details like using tea bags made from rice paper - which is celebrated as an alternative eco-friendly packaging - ensuring every cup aligns with hers and her teams’ environmental values. The larger tea bags are compostable and can be brought back for a refill for 10% off. One of Siona’s top tips is to make recyclable and biodegradable products part of your operations.
Banff Tea Co. also supports Greenii, a company in Halifax, NS that makes paper bags from the Coffee News – a free weekly publication you may has seen dotted around local coffee shop like Evelyn’s. They collaborate with a Newcomer and Immigrant Women Employment Program, offering work to people with language barriers and difficulties finding jobs in Nova Scotia.
Small town businesses like Banff Tea Co., prioritize sustainability in every aspect – even with their commute. A trusty e-bike with a trailer full of tea helps the team travel between their Banff warehouse and store during the warmer months. The plan is to get a branded electric vehicle for winter. “We want to inspire others to switch to green too.”
Climate Change can Brew Challenges for the Tea Industry
“The biggest challenges worldwide are some of the environmental aspects that affect(tea) growing.” Siona explained. Tea-growing regions are impacted by unpredictable and extreme weather like heavy rainfalls and droughts.
Businesses like the Banff Tea Co. are seeing these challenges, which are leading to changes in ingredients and supply chains that directly affect beloved and popular tea blends. “This is something that I did not see before the last five years,” Siona noted.
Challenges like these encourage Siona and her team to continue looking at the bigger picture and inspire them to make small changes that they believe are building blocks to a better future.
“I'm just a tiny player in the midst of a lot of the bigger operators in town. Everyone has different logistics to handle, and everyone is making huge steps forward in different areas.”
Siona sits on the Town of Banff’s Environmental and Business Working Group. Her business practices and ideas are an example of taking leadership in reducing the impact of visitation to the national park. We all want to make a difference, but the enormity of the task can be overwhelming. We and Siona are here to say, it’s okay to start small. “Let’s be the trailblazers; let’s be the ones who do it first!”
Siona's Top Tips
- Support suppliers that align with your sustainability values and goals
- Use recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable products
- Think about your emissions and modes of transport
Stories from the Trails is a series sharing learning, success, and insights, from our members and partners as we journey together towards the 10-Year Vision for Tourism. This story embodies the Nature Positive & Climate Action Trail.
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Share your story! What initiatives are happening in your business or organization that support our shared vision for tourism? Email us! members@banfflakelouise.com