Thursday, March 28, 2024

Starbucks outlines new initiatives to be more environmentally friendly by 2030

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Starbucks is making some big promises in an effort to become more environmentally friendly.

The coffee chain has detailed their plan to be a global leader in moving towards a “resource-positive future,” says a letter from Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson

“Like most things that are worthwhile, this will not be easy. It will require all of us to play a role, and so we invite you to join us,” Johnson wrote in an open letter on the company’s website. 

In the letter, Johnson and Starbucks outlined three goals they hope to achieve by 2030. These are as follows:

  1. 50% reduction in carbon emissions in direct operations and supply chain.
  2. Conserve or replenish 50% of water withdrawal for direct operations and coffee production with a focus on communities and basins with high water risk. 
  3. A 50% reduction in waste sent to landfill from stores and manufacturing, driven by a broader shift toward a circular economy.

Changes at Starbucks

In order to accomplish that, Starbucks is re-thinking aspects of their menu packaging, supply chain, and waste. They list five specific areas of change in the letter, though they note that more innovation is required to meet their 2030 targets. 

Among other things, Starbucks will:

  1. Expand plant-based options, migrating toward a more environmentally friendly menu
  2. Shift from single-use to reusable packaging. 
  3. Invest in innovative and regenerative agricultural practices, reforestation, forest conservation, and water replenishment in their supply chain.
  4. Invest in better ways to manage waste, both in stores and in communities, to ensure more reuse, recycling, and elimination of food waste.
  5. Innovate to develop more eco-friendly stores, operations, manufacturing and delivery.

See also: Starbucks is getting rid of plastic straws by 2020

Starbucks has been ramping up their environmental game in recent years, announcing in 2018 that the company was going to eliminate plastic straws by yearend 2020 — removing 1 billion plastic straws per year globally. 

The company is also investing in dairy alternatives for their drinks, with coconut milk and almond milk becoming more and more available at their stores. 

In his letter, posted to the Starbucks website on January 21st, CEO Johnson said the company is still determined to reach previously outlined business targets. 

Johnson said the decision to become more environmentally friendly won’t cost the business but instead will strengthen Starbucks as a global brand.

“Today is a milestone for our business as we declare our concern for our planet’s future and commit to do more,” Johnson wrote. 

“I invite you to join us.”

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