Starbucks: Multinational, multimillion dollar green corporation?

Starbucks: Multinational, multimillion dollar green corporation?
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19 comments

2009 marked a significant change for Starbucks. It's not just because of their net profit loss this year or the fact that they closed hundreds of stores. Starbucks has taken the initiative to build greener and more individualistic chains.

Environmental Controversies

While Starbucks has not been the center of many environmental debates, there are two notable cases where environmental advocates voiced their discontent. The first case was in regards to their cups. The hot cups are made out of 10% post-consumer waste, the plastic lining around the cup actually makes them non-recyclable. Where do all these cups go then? Into the landfill. In fact 2 billion Starbucks cups land in trash [Source: GreenDaily]. Even the plastic cups, which were modified in 2008, are not practical. Sure, they are made of polypropylene (PP), which uses 15 percent less plastic than the average PET cups and emit 45 percent less greenhouse gasses during their production. These PP cups are labeled with a No. 5 symbol at the bottom (recyclable) [Source: Starbucks], but many Starbucks don't even offer recycling.

The second major environmental issue includes the enormous amount of water that Starbucks uses. While the regular appliances like dishwashers and sinks use a large amount of water, the biggest waster is the use of the dipper well method. The method uses a continuous stream of fresh running water to rinse away food residue, to keep utensils clean and prevent bacterial growth [Source: Starbucks], however this method wastes about 6 million gallons of water a day [Source: ABC News].

Starbucks' Initiative

Earlier in 2009, Starbucks responded to these concerns. Partnered with EarthWatch, Starbucks is looking to make all of their cups completely recyclable and actually offer recycling in store [Source: Starbucks]. While it won't be until 2015 that all Starbucks offer these cups, many are taking the initiative to reduce the amount of paper and plastic waste. In fact, in Manhattan, seven stores took part in a cup recycling pilot program offered by the Green Global USA’s Coalition for Resource Recovery (CoRR). The paper cups will be collected and and combined with old corrugated cardboard for recycling [Source: Earth911]. For those planning to stay at Starbucks, the company plans on reintroducing "for here" ceramic cups in stores by 2010, and they also offer $0.10 to people who bring in their own mugs [Source: GreenBiz].

Starbucks has also addressed their water usage and in 2009 they plan to have a complete water footrpint audit to see how much water they are actually using. At the moment, while many stores are still using the dipper well method, many have converted to high pressure dishwashers that use a fraction of the water (less than one gallon per cycle) and train their employees to to keep the refrigeration coils on ice machines clean. This reduces the amount of latent heat that would make ice melt faster [Source: Starbucks]. The company has actually reduced their water usage from 26 gallons/SF in 2006 to 24 in 2008 [Source: Environmental Leader].

But Starbucks is going above and beyond the call of duty and has an entire environmental initiative to make their stores even more environmentally friendly. Earlier this year, three flagship stores, two in Seattle and one in Paris, set the standard for the store. Rather than demolishing and throwing out materials from the previous tenants, Starbucks is actually reusing these items to create chains that have individuality and reflect their respective neighborhoods. But it's not just about reclaiming the materials, Starbucks is seeking LEED certification for all new company-owned stores beginning next year and, in conjunction with 3Degrees, also buys wind renewable energy certificates for more than 211 million kilowatt hours. This actually makes Starbucks one of the largest purchasers of green energy in the US [Source: Environmental Leader]. But they don't stop there. In November of 2009 Starbucks announced that they would switch over standard bulbs to LEDs in over 8,000 locations, allowing them to consume 10% less electricity. This is part of a larger goal to cut energy consumption by 25% by the end of 2010 [Source: Treehugger].

While many consumers and environmentalists have denounced Starbucks in the past, it appears that they have answered almost all of their customers' concerns. It remains to be seen if all of they meet all of these goals, but Starbucks has definitely moved beyond their greenwashing methods of the past.

Read more: starbucks, environment & wildlife, starbucks green initiative, starbucks eco-friendly

Otto V. says
Nov 22, 2009 9:04 AM
If the service would improve, coffee sales would improve especially in the South Bay areas of California.

Natasha S. says
Nov 22, 2009 8:30 AM
Every little bit helps in restoring health to the planet. I especially like the $.10 discount for bringing one's own cup - for many that will be a savings of $.50/week - $2.00 per month - $24.00 per year - or more and 300 paper cups saved. "Pas mal", as the french say. So, I guess I can be thankful for the little things.
Could Starbucks do more? Sure. Will they? That would be very nice. At least they are taking steps in the right direction. Now, if they would pay their baristas more and accept lower corporate profits, that would be even better.
It's the old battle of finding a balance between money and humanity. Which one do we value more? And I say we, because where each of us spend our money determines which side of the balance carries more weight/importance/influence.

Freya The Wanderer says
Nov 22, 2009 8:20 AM
We need to thank Starbucks with our bucks. As long as they continue to go green, we should buy lattes, or at least cups of tea, there.

Wowsux S. says
Nov 22, 2009 7:25 AM
This is the same Starbucks that refused to donate coffee to our troops?

No, after having to read their political sayings on the sides of the cups, I have purchased my last Starbucks anything. They should have stuck to selling coffee and kept their politics off the product.

There are other places to get a cup of coffee, my kitchen for instance.

Jo Fuller says
Nov 22, 2009 7:19 AM
At least this is a start!! More companies should take heed.

PL T. says
Nov 22, 2009 7:07 AM
It's a good start, and I applaud their current and future efforts, especially the Fair Trade coffees. But until Starbucks expedites and actually manifests their green mission, my family and I will choose an independent coffee shop 8x/10.

I say this because we are not all that enamored with their service. It's too variable! Some baristas (and I use the term loosely, since they really don't pull the shots any more) are refreshingly cordial, while others are sullen and condescending - definitely not the OTC personality that belongs in the service industry. Generation X'er's may not care, but we Boomer's prefer a pleasant and polite affect with our expensive coffee.

And while we're on the topic of service - ENOUGH WITH THE UP$ELL! It's a transparent ploy to $ell $omething el$e, and it's obvious that we are not being informed about anything special, only being leaned on to buy more,more,more. So unless the customer is blind, the pastries, etc, are right there in plain view - if we wanted something other than what we ordered, we're capable of saying so.

I realize this annoying practice is not limited to Starbucks, but ditching the 'upsell' sure would be a great improvement there, because good service that backs up a good 'green' product will influence the decision as to where I buy my coffee - and anything else, for that matter.

Marthe B. says
Nov 22, 2009 5:44 AM
starbucks is my favorite place for having a fresh delicious coffee,workers there are nice and friendly and i really would participate more if they'd ask people to bring their own mug,tissues are now made from recycable paper,i wish more details on the coffee packs about fair trade,all their coffee should be from fair trade,i hope they'll do more and more,for peace too:)in palestine and israel

Chad M. says
Nov 22, 2009 5:36 AM
This a start, I guess. But why didn't they start this sooner? Yet another corporate company that is only concerned about profits and nothing else. Yes, profits are needed to stay in business but there are other concerns, as well. The environment is everything and companies like Starbucks need to pay more attention to this. Like most big companies, they'll just enough to shut people up. Sorry, Starbucks, but you haven't done enough to pull me away from my locally owned, much smaller, and much, much greener, coffee shop.

Vladimir Kotenev says
Nov 22, 2009 5:35 AM
Starbuch green strategies claims are fake since I know Starbucks corporate people. It is fishy!

Christoph Wuth says
Nov 22, 2009 5:23 AM
$tarbucks should offer an attractive discount to patrons who pour their coffee in their own cup, and clean up afterwards.

Comment

My local starbucks does allow me to have their old coffee grounds to put in my garden and on my lawn from time to time, but there is a LOT more they could be doing. All of their drink cups could, and should, be recycled. I have spoken to them and they say they really cant do any recycling until corporate okays it. Thats hard to understand because other Starbucks stores 5 miles away recycle regularly. The folks at Starbucks seem to be willing, as they say they have a lot of cardboard and plastic milk cartons that could be recycled, but arent.