The Green Cup Cafe has no plastic cups or lids, and customers who bring their own mugs receive a 15 percent discount. How seasonal work in the UK inspired a Kazakh couple to open an eco-cafe Economic development
When Dmitry and Yulia Volkov left Kazakhstan for seasonal work in the UK, they saw it primarily as a short-term opportunity to earn extra money.
At that time, the couple had a small flower shop, and the plan seemed simple: work, save money, return and grow their business. They didn’t think that living on British farms would change their idea of what they wanted to do in Kazakhstan.
“What struck us most while working abroad was how common eco-friendly habits were,” recalls Yulia. “People by default came with their own mugs, sorted waste without reminders, and the business simply followed the same principles.”
Working on farms, Dmitry and Yulia saw how environmentally friendly practices are organically woven into everyday life. The couple not only earned money, but also learned how to conserve resources, reduce waste, maintain clear standards and pay attention to detail.
“On the farm, you see how much work goes into every berry and every leaf of lettuce. This teaches you not to throw anything away. We apply the same principle now in our business,” says Yulia.
By the time they returned home, the spouses already knew for sure: they did not want to return to the previous format of work.
In Kazakhstan, instead of continuing to develop the flower business, Dmitry and Yulia invested their savings accumulated abroad in a new dream. They also received a grant from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
In the center of Astana they opened a cozy eco-cafe “Green Cup”. For them, this became an opportunity to introduce their compatriots to a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.
“Green Cup” is a welcoming space where visitors can enjoy aromatic coffee and fresh pastries. There are already similar cafes in Astana, but there are still few of them.
“We believe in friendly teaching about environmentally friendly habits, not moralizing,” say the Volkovs. “We want to show our guests that implementing green habits can be easy and enjoyable.”
The Green Cup Cafe sorts waste, uses recyclable and biodegradable packaging, offers a 15 percent discount to those who bring their own cup, uses no plastic products, and sources ingredients locally.
“From the very beginning, we committed to using only biodegradable and recyclable materials,” explains Yulia.
Dmitry and Yulia received a grant from IOM to develop a new business.
“We strive to ensure that all waste generated in the cafe is recycled as much as possible,” she adds.
Despite the fact that “Green Cup” opened only recently, the cafe already attracts many people who care about caring for the environment. Dmitry and Yulia plan to develop their business and organize social events that will help make the transition to more environmentally friendly habits simple and natural.
