Waterford-based Blue Butterfly Coffee has been named the winner of this year’s Glas Award.

The award, organised by the Local Enterprise Office Waterford in association with Waterford City and County Council, recognises micro businesses which have incorporated green principles into their operations.

Founded in 2020 by Fintan Stanley, Blue Butterfly Coffee was named Green Micro Enterprise of the Year.

Judges highlighted the company’s approach to sustainability across sourcing, production, packaging and delivery.

Around 60% of the coffee currently sourced and roasted by the business comes from regenerative agriculture or agroforestry systems in countries including Brazil, Ethiopia, Colombia, Sumatra, El Salvador and Rwanda.

The company has also invested in a new coffee roaster using heat-recycling technology, while reusable coffee drums are replacing around 350 single-use cardboard boxes and 2,100 coffee bags each month.

Coffee chaff from the roasting process is donated to GIY and Orchardstown Garden Centre for composting, while used coffee grounds are also repurposed as organic compost.

Fintan Stanley said the company’s sustainability approach begins long before the roasting process.

‘For us great coffee starts long before the roast,’ he said.

‘It begins with the land, things like regenerative practices, agroforestry systems, healthy soil, and the right farmers tending it.’

Blue Butterfly Coffee received a €4,000 prize made up of cash and Local Enterprise Office supports, alongside a trophy created by Irish Handmade Glass.

Acting Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office Waterford Jacqui Gaule said the award aims to recognise businesses investing in sustainable practices and encourage others to follow suit.