Dunkin Donuts uses Sara Lee Coffee for both retail and foodservice outlets; despite this fact, they do not advertise the fact that their coffee is organic anywhere on their website.

DD does not use organic beans in its decaffeination processes and does not employ the Swiss Water Process which utilizes chemicals like methylene chloride for decaffeination.

Decaf

Dunkin Donuts is a trusted favorite with consumers due to its wide selection of coffee beverages and baked goods, fast service, affordable prices, and wide availability. In addition to coffee beverages and baked goods, this chain also provides espresso-based drinks such as cappuccino and lattes as well as other espresso-based beverages like cappuccino. Their products can be found both worldwide stores as well as online for purchase.

Prior to purchasing organic decaf coffee, it is crucial for consumers to fully comprehend its decaffeination process. Many companies employ chemical solvents such as methylene chloride in their decaffeination processes that could pose health risks; some labels fail to disclose this information, so it is crucial that this be checked prior to making a purchase decision.

The Clean Label Project conducted tests on popular decaf brands and discovered high concentrations of methylene chloride, an additive known to cause liver diseases and cancer. As a result, this organization filed lawsuits against several major decaf coffee manufacturers for using it in their manufacturing process – AmazonFresh, J.M Smucker’s Cafe Bustelo, Peet’s Coffee & Tea Holdco Inc, Keurig Green Mountain and Kraft Heinz Maxwell House among them.

Some brands claim they use shade grown beans, yet consumers have no way of verifying these claims. The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center certifies shade grown coffee; however, Dunkin Donuts doesn’t appear to participate. Their sustainability report does not mention shade-grown coffee specifically; instead it mentions their work with Rainforest Alliance as well as giving grants to three producer groups becoming Rainforest Alliance certified.

Regular

Dunkin’ Donuts regular coffee offers a creamy, satisfying flavor profile, while their decaf option offers those sensitive to caffeine or looking to reduce consumption a delicious yet caffeine-free beverage option. Dunkin’ Donuts uses the Swiss Water Process – an innovative chemical-free process which preserves flavor profiles of decaffeinated beans – when decaffeinating their beans for decaf production.

Dunkin Donuts’ website indicates they use shade grown beans, yet do not make clear whether these are organic or not. Furthermore, they do not claim to serve Rainforest Alliance certified coffee and their packaging does not bear their seal. According to Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center – an organization which certifies shade grown coffee – they approached Dunkin Donuts about using Bird-Friendly coffee but did not follow through on it.

In 2004, the company joined Fair Trade USA, an organization dedicated to sustainable agriculture and providing aid for farmers in developing nations. Through this partnership, the coffee company purchased coffee that supported both economic and environmental welfare for those farmers responsible. Farmers are vital components of any coffee industry’s sustainability, which allows the coffee company to purchase coffee that has this guarantee built-in.

This company has taken strides toward sustainability by purchasing renewable energy and recycling paper products, purchasing renewable energy credits, recycling paper products and eliminating Styrofoam cups which contribute significantly to landfill waste. While these efforts are encouraging, further progress must be made – for example instituting sustainable sourcing programs as well as using only paper or recycled plastic cups at their stores and roasters and investing in energy efficiency improvements.

Light

Dunkin Donuts’ corporate responsibility website features only a brief section about environment issues that does not mention shade grown or organic coffee. Furthermore, recently they started selling paper cups instead of the styrofoam they previously used, yet there is no indication they support Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee (which must abide by stringent environmental standards).

Dunkin’ Donuts and Sara Lee have collaborated since 1975, with Sara Lee serving as its sole coffee roaster by 2005 for their restaurants and foodservice outlets. However, in 2007 Procter & Gamble purchased Sara Lee and later spun off its coffee business to The Smucker Company.

Dunkin’ Donuts was the first national brand to introduce Fair Trade Certified espresso beverages, meaning they purchase beans from farmers who are paid a fair price while investing some of their profits into community development projects. Furthermore, this company uses Swiss Water decaffeination method – carbon dioxide-free process using solubility and osmosis – to decaffeinate coffee beans; although not organic in terms of production methods but better for both environmentalism and flavor preservation.

Medium

Medium roast coffee offers well-balanced caffeine levels to help you focus and stay alert, without producing the nervousness associated with lighter roasts. Many organic medium roasts are Fair Trade certified – meaning their beans were grown and harvested according to environmentally sustainable practices – while you may even find Bird-Friendly coffee that protects migratory bird habitat.

Dunkin’ Donuts was among the first national brands to introduce Fair Trade Certified espresso beverages back in 2004, and continues to purchase coffee that supports economic and environmental welfare programs of farmers who grow it. Unfortunately, however, they don’t make claims of serving or selling shade-grown or sustainably sourced coffee on their website.

The company’s website fails to mention that they utilize the Swiss Water Process – a chemical-free approach which relies on solubility and osmosis rather than methylene chloride or ethyl acetate for decaffeinating coffee – or that paper cups are being used instead of polystyrene (Styrofoam) containers to reduce landfill waste.

Dunkin Donuts began assessing their operations’ effects on the environment in 2008 and provided franchisees with an energy efficiency pamphlet to inform their efforts. Furthermore, reclaimed wood has been implemented into stores and cafeterias across their locations, while low-VOC cleaning products were made more readily available for cleaning services.

Dunkin’ Donuts has worked closely with Sara Lee since 1975 and, according to the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, was the first major retailer to use 100% Arabica beans throughout all stores. Procter & Gamble sold its coffee business to J. M. Smucker Company, which currently owns Dunkin’ Donuts, Folgers, Millstone Coffee brands as well as various beverage and food businesses.

Dark

Dunkin Donuts uses a custom blend and roast, created exclusively for them, to achieve its distinctive coffee experience. Customers can purchase this specialty coffee to use at home as it is also compatible with Cold Brew brewing methods.

Their coffee comes from South and Central America and primarily features Arabica beans renowned for their smoothness and flavorful profile among coffee enthusiasts. A portion of it has even been certified Rainforest Alliance to guarantee ethical harvesting practices during collection.

However, their Dark roast does not appear to contain 100% RA certified coffee as is stated on their website or packaging displaying an RA seal.

Dunkin Donuts’ Corporate Responsibility section details their assessment of environmental impact since 2008 and provides franchisees with an energy efficiency pamphlet. Furthermore, they were the first national coffee retailer to sell Fair Trade Certified espresso beverages in 2004 – helping support economic and social welfare programs within coffee farming communities around the globe. Furthermore, they use chemical-free decaffeination using the Swiss Water Process which preserves flavor while decaffeination takes place.