messageEnvironmental Defense’s partnership with Starbucks for 10% post-consumer cups
This is a positive thing, but Starbucks really needs to go a lot further.
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Peter Zelchenko replied on Oct 22, 2007More Corporate Greenwashing: Starbucks’ Cups, Eco-Friend or Eco-Foe? Recyclers won’t take chain’s cups because of plastic coating The Columbus Dispatch, September 17, 2007
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Peter Zelchenko replied on Oct 24, 2007
Most Starbucks don’t have a ceramic cup, and the ones that do don’t always use it. Hence the campaign.
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Samwise Holloway replied on Oct 25, 2007
So, just how many stores did you visit to determine that “most Starbucks don’t have a ceramic cup”? Because every store I’ve been to had had them when I’ve asked, and that’s at least fifteen or twenty. Maybe it is a geographical thing. Were the stores you visited operated by Starbucks, or were they licensed?
And also, why would you want to leave a dirty cup at the store? You do realize that you’ll get ten cents off your drink when you bring in your own cup, right? It doesn’t matter if it is a travel mug or whatever. Though I will warn you, the cups Starbucks uses will break down after being filled with hot liquid seven or eight times. You really might want to invest in a nice mug of your own to keep with you. Cheers!
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Rob Gardiner replied on Oct 26, 2007
I don’t think you guys really thought this through before posting.
First of all, leaving used paper cups in the store is unsanitary. Not to mention gross.
Second of all, Peter Z, would you care to provide a source for your statement, “Most Starbucks don’t have a ceramic cup…”? My experience is the exact opposite. I live in Seattle and go to as many as a dozen different Starbucks locations, depending on what neighborhood I’m in, and ALL the ones with seating areas have ceramic cups available.
Finally, I carry a travel mug with me in my satchel when I’m out of the house — Problem Solved!
This “campaign” sounds like a ridiculous stunt.
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J H replied on Oct 29, 2007
You cannot be serious. What’d you do? Walk into ONE Starbucks (probably not even company owned) and ask for an espresso shot “for here” and when the Barista didn’t hear or whatever, you assumed that it’s “nearly impossible” to get a “for here” mug? Because I agree with some of these other posters that I’ve NEVER had ANY problem getting for here mug. EVER. Besides, it’s actually to your benefit to drink out of your very own super special very sanitary mug! You save 10 cents! No barista in their right mind is going to keep those dirty cups!! Do you forgo your health for a ridicuous campain?!
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Alex MacLean started this discussion on Nov 4, 2007
Yes, please! I used to work for them and they NEVER HAD ENOUGH of those bloody mugs. They don’t even ask anymore if its ‘for here’.
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Alex MacLean replied on Nov 4, 2007
I think it’s a great idea. I used to work for Starbucks and my store had about 5 mugs. I really pushed people to use them by reminding it was an option, but this caused too much chit chat and Starbucks likes their cash registers to keep going. They waste a huge amount of paper while wrapping themselves in that west-coast hippie vibe. They need to be called on the carpet. I support this idea whole-heartedly.
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Brandon Schmittling replied on Nov 13, 2007
There’s no reason Starbucks has to continue to use throw-away cups in their stores for customers who order in. The Barrister should not only recommend it, it should be policy to use a real mug if the customer doesn’t specify “here " or "to go”.
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Cathy Bogaart replied on Nov 13, 2007
I carry around my paper venti cups because I always get TWO cups every time I order. I reuse my cups. I get strange looks whenever I go to reuse them. Sometimes they don’t even give me my cup discount.
I love Starbucks but I want to also make sure that their to-stay cups also come in Venti size!
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Ilana Stoler replied on Nov 26, 2007
No need for negativity on this campaign! I hope this helps to bring awareness to the ridiculous amount of reusable stuff we use everyday
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Marcie McMurray replied on Jan 2, 2008
Do you think that it might be more harmful to the environment to wash all those for here mugs? If you factor in the energy used to create the mug
ceramic mugs get fired in a kiln, then the energy to heat the water to wash the mugs, the detergent used to wash the mugs, then the fact that as soon as it breaks or is chipped it needs to be tosseda ceramic mug sits in a landfill a lot longer and takes up more space than a paper.Think about the amount of storage it would take to stockpile all those for here mugs for all customers staying in the cafe- your talking like a couple hundred for here mugs per store!
My Starbucks always has plenty ’o for here mugs for customer use- and we do keep a few customer mugs behind the counter too.
Bring your own dang cup
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Bruce Sarte replied on Jul 23, 2008
I understand the “Bring Your Own” philosophy, but Starbucks policy should be to use ceramic for “here” orders. Period.
Otherwise, stop making the company look like such an eco-friendly company. That’s all. It’s not dramatic, it’s actually good business. It should cost them less in the end and it would make customers feel more “welcome and at home”.
That being said, most of the Starbucks around me already do this.
