Topaz: Driver Reviver and Fairtrade Coffee

Driver Reviver: This project is a joint initiative between Topaz and the Road Safety Authority. It was initially run over the Bank Holiday weekend in October 2008, and was such a success that it was decided to extend the programme. The official launch took place over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend in April 2009, and the project is set to run every Bank Holiday weekend for one year. The initiative involves Topaz offering a free cup of coffee to drivers on the Friday of each Bank Holiday weekend when they stop at a company owned Topaz station. Customers simply have to call in and show their car keys to claim their coffee. The primary aim of the project is to reduce the number of people killed or injured in accidents caused by driver fatigue. They aim to achieve this by making drivers more aware of the dangers of driving while tired. Topaz also want make people to change their behaviour if necessary and to educate them on how best to combat driver fatigue if they do experience it.

Fairtrade Coffee: In September 2008, Topaz signed a contract to source the equivalent of 4 million cups of coffee a year through Fairtrade Ireland – the organisation that promotes ethical coffee production.  The order – for 30 tonnes of coffee beans a year - is one of the largest orders ever secured through Fairtrade and will directly benefit local producers in Brazil. As one of the largest coffee retailers in the country, Topaz saw this as an opportunity to use their buying power for the benefit of Fairtrade certified producers in developing countries. Topaz have selected the specific farms and regions that the coffee they buy will come from and have been assured that the practices involved in the production are sustainable and protective of the local communities in the countries. It is also hoped that this project will further help to raise awareness among consumers of the importance to pay producers a fair price for their produce, and that it will stand as a prime example of how Irish businesses can support producers in developing countries. Topaz makes it simple for customers to aid those less fortunate than themselves in something as simple as buying a coffee.

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