Guayaki Yerba Mate
Scanned March 2026 · beverages · high confidence
- Guayaki Yerba Mate scores 91 out of 100 — grade A+ on the GreenSpecs five-signal analysis, scanned March 2026.
- Primary claim on the label: "Organic, regenerative, carbon neutral" — no third-party certification found.
- Signal breakdown (each of 20): claims 17, certifications 18, packaging 20, ingredients 18, supply chain 18.
Guayaki backs its claims with robust third-party certifications for organic farming and carbon neutrality, reinforced by its B Corp status. Their commitment to regenerative practices supports biodiversity and farmer livelihoods in the South American forest ecosystems where yerba mate grows.
How do the five signals break down?
| Claims and disclosure | 17 / 20 |
| Certifications | 18 / 20 |
| Packaging lifecycle | 20 / 20 |
| Ingredient impact | 18 / 20 |
| Supply chain | 18 / 20 |
Each signal is worth 20 points — the method is public at how we score.
What is on the label?
Primary claim: "Organic, regenerative, carbon neutral" — a claim, not a certification. The difference is the whole game: see the cert guide.
What the claims cover
- USDA Organic certification ensures their yerba mate is cultivated without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
- B Corp certification means the company meets high standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability across its operations.
- SCS Global Services verifies their carbon neutrality, covering Scopes 1, 2, and significant Scope 3 emissions through verified offsets.
- Their 'forest-farmed' and regenerative agriculture practices aim to restore ecosystems and support smallholder communities in their supply chain.
What is still missing
- While 'regenerative' is a core practice, specific, quantifiable metrics on soil carbon sequestration or biodiversity increases from their direct farming are not always front and center.
- The full scope of upstream Scope 3 emissions, beyond what's included in their carbon neutral certification, is a complex story rarely detailed on any product label.
Where the footprint lives
Scope 1 — direct operations: Guayaki measures the emissions from their own facilities and the vehicles they operate to process and distribute their products.
Scope 2 — purchased energy: This covers the greenhouse gases from the electricity and other purchased energy used to power their processing plants and offices.
Scope 3 — the supply chain: The biggest piece, this includes emissions from yerba mate farming, packaging production, transportation of ingredients, and the end-of-life of their products. Guayaki includes a significant portion of this in their carbon neutral certification.
Most of a product's emissions sit upstream in Scope 3 — the scope breakdown explains why that decides the score.
Smart swaps and tips
- Look for B Corp certification on any product; it signifies a holistic commitment to people and planet, not just a single claim.
- While 'carbon neutral' is a good step, prioritize brands actively reducing emissions before relying on offsets.
- Aluminum cans are highly recyclable, but always check your local facility's capabilities for proper disposal.
Numbers from a scan of the real label, March 2026. Holding this product — or its shelf neighbor? Scan it and compare the five signals side by side. New to the method? Start with the rules of thumb.