Tea worker gathers tea leaves

Sustainability Strategy

New tea plant is growing from the soil

Today our environment and our society are facing some serious challenges. Climate change presents the single biggest threat to development, its widespread, unprecedented effects disproportionately burden the poorest and the most vulnerable. We will soon face a global shortage of vital resources. Many people are already living in extreme poverty, and issues such as forced labour and discrimination prevent millions of people from living a good life. These challenges are compounded by the size and growth of the world’s population.

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Today our environment and our society are facing some serious challenges. Climate change presents the single biggest threat to development, its widespread, unprecedented effects disproportionately burden the poorest and the most vulnerable. We will soon face a global shortage of vital resources. Many people are already living in extreme poverty, and issues such as forced labour and discrimination prevent millions of people from living a good life. These challenges are compounded by the size and growth of the world’s population.

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A group of smiling school kids gathered around the table

We believe that our industry needs to increase the pace of change in addressing these global environmental and social issues. Dilmah owes its success to the quality of Ceylon Tea and our business was founded therefore on an enduring connection to the land and the communities in which we operate therefore we have a responsibility – and an opportunity – to create this acceleration and facilitate the right collaborations for success. We believe in moving the whole market forward, for our own business and for other businesses that share our values. Built on lessons learned, our sustainability strategy will guide us in the next phase of our journey towards sustainable tea.

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We believe that our industry needs to increase the pace of change in addressing these global environmental and social issues. Dilmah owes its success to the quality of Ceylon Tea and our business was founded therefore on an enduring connection to the land and the communities in which we operate therefore we have a responsibility – and an opportunity – to create this acceleration and facilitate the right collaborations for success. We believe in moving the whole market forward, for our own business and for other businesses that share our values. Built on lessons learned, our sustainability strategy will guide us in the next phase of our journey towards sustainable tea.

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Tea leaf teal background pattern

“There should be no greater priority than ensuring that the quality of the air we breathe, the rainfall that provides our sustenance, and the host of ecosystems that make human life possible are protected for our children and their generations.”

Merrill J. Fernando, Founder of Dilmah Tea

Leading the Way in Sustainable Packaging

Dilmah Tea has been a pioneer in sustainable packaging, integrating eco-friendly practices into its operations since 2000. Dilmah’s approach to sustainable packaging focuses on reducing plastic use, adopting biodegradable materials, and implementing circular economy principles to minimise environmental impact. The company has made significant strides in reducing plastic use, including eliminating 488,420 kg of plastic from its packaging. Innovations such as the introduction of tear strip designs and the transition to 100% PLA-based filter paper (a compostable plant-based material) have contributed to these reductions. Currently, 98% to 100% of Dilmah’s tea bags are compostable, reflecting the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

Beyond packaging, Dilmah has embraced a circular economy approach by upcycling waste materials. The establishment of the Dilmah recycling facility in 2018 aimed to convert a significant portion of the company’s tea packaging waste into reusable items, with a target of achieving a 10% successful upcycling conversion. This initiative not only reduces waste but also generates revenue, demonstrating the economic viability of sustainable practices.

Innovation is central to Dilmah’s sustainability strategy, with the company continuously researching and implementing new materials and processes to enhance the environmental performance of its packaging. Furthermore, Dilmah has introduced the MJF Group’s Supply Code of Conduct, which lays out policies and codes, procurement best practices, supplier engagement, and verification, and disclosure protocols to ensure sustainable practices across its supply chain.