Starbucks Coffee
By: Alexandra Smith
Sustainability Goals
- Their approach to reducing their environmental footprint is looking at all aspects of the business to create meaningful and sustained change.
Sustainability Efforts
-
They are working to shrink their environmental footprint and meet the expectations of their customers by reducing their waste, increasing recycling and promoting reusable cups.
- They’re creating more eco-conscious stores
- They are tackling water and energy use, which is a win-win proposition: it helps reduce their environmental impact and makes good business sense.
- They have worked with Conservation International to include climate-smart agricultural practices as part of their coffee buying guidelines
By the Numbers
- In 2004, 96% of their coffee was ethically sourced through C.A.F.E. Practices, Fairtrade, or another externally audited system
- In 2006 they began offering a cup with 10% post-consumer recycled paper fiber in North America. They also include 50% post-consumer, recycled paper fiber in cups used in European markets, and 15% in their Bistro boxes in the US.
- They have cut water consumption by over 23%
Environmental Concerns
They are working to create a postive change in the environment by:
- recycling and reducing waste
- water and energy conservation
- creating LEED certified stores
Cool Facts
- Starbucks believes in helping young adults develop into strong leaders by investing in leadership skills significant for changing global economy
- For 2014, they remained one of the Environmental Protection Agency’s top ten purchasers of renewable energy in the U.S.
-
Since 1985 they have rewarded their customers with a discount when they bring in personal tumblers