message
i hear ya sister, and i read all that you had to say. you did go on and on but i totally get it and it is sad (to say the least) that others don’t get what they are doing or just don’t care. parents need to be the teachers. i will not get a drink unless i remembered to bring my cup, and we try not to take a bag (i usually have one) or ask for a plate. i tell my children i will not purchase a milk in a container that does not recycle, they ask for one almost every time so it takes repetition but they will get it and pretty much do at the young ages of 5 and 7. and i tell them it is a treat to go to starbucks, not something we are going to do every day like they see their aunt and grandmere do… two more of those individuals who just don’t care. (i gave them re-usable starbuck mugs.. do you think they could actually use them? that would be inconvenient now wouldn’t it?) the whole inconvenient truth. keep suggesting to your customers ways to save the planet. i love it when i see a sign on the sleeves. sometimes all it takes is someone pointing it out for others to “see”.
- OBJECTIVE
- Starbucks Corporation must commit to reusable cups for all "for here" orders
- TERMS
-
If we reach exactly 102,950 people, then we will begin insisting that stores save our labeled cups
- JOIN NOW
- You only act if we reach 102,950 people!
- put this campaign on your site
- THE PITCH
-
According to starbucks.com, “Starbucks’ philosophy is to continuously seek ways to reduce waste from our system in the first place, whenever possible. In addition to increasing recycling efforts, we take the following measures to reduce waste from our operations.” The site goes on to describe a 10-cent discount for people that use “commuter mugs” and the “Grounds for Your Garden” program, which “encourages” the reuse of used coffee grounds for composting.
While these may seem like noble efforts, Starbucks can make a great difference by starting with the basics. In 2000, the company announced its plan to partner with the Alliance for Environmental Innovation to begin using reusable cups for in-house coffee – like most non-chain coffee houses – but today, one cannot get coffee in a ceramic cup at all Starbucks stores, and in many cases one cannot Read More
- ORGANIZER
- TAGS
- CHANNELS
-
Recent Discussion
According to starbucks.com, “Starbucks’ philosophy is to continuously seek ways to reduce waste from our system in the first place, whenever possible. In addition to increasing recycling efforts, we take the following measures to reduce waste from our operations.” The site goes on to describe a 10-cent discount for people that use “commuter mugs” and the “Grounds for Your Garden” program, which “encourages” the reuse of used coffee grounds for composting.
While these may seem like noble efforts, Starbucks can make a great difference by starting with the basics. In 2000, the company announced its plan to partner with the Alliance for Environmental Innovation to begin using reusable cups for in-house coffee – like most non-chain coffee houses – but today, one cannot get coffee in a ceramic cup at all Starbucks stores, and in many cases one cannot get an espresso shot in anything but paper. While “purchasing paper with higher levels of post-consumer recycled content and unbleached fiber is a measure Starbucks is taking to minimize [its] environmental footprint,” setting a target of ”30% post-consumer content in our paper purchases,” the reduction of unnecessary paper usage is, plainly, the simplest solution to this problem! According to Alyssa R. with the Starbucks Customer Relations Department, “there is not currently a policy requiring our stores to have” reusable cups.
We have an action that is guaranteed to draw Starbucks’ attention to the obvious solutions to this major problem. With 10,295 Starbucks stores in the United States, the numbers stand to make a difference. (According to the Starbucks company fact sheet, there are 6,566 company-operated stores and 3,729 licensed stores.) If an average of only 10 customers per store commit to action, we will have an army of 102,950 consumers!
When 102,950 people join this campaign, we will begin writing our names on our paper cups in our future Starbucks “for here” orders we receive and insist that they remain on a shelf, to be reused the next time we return to the store.
The object of this is not to antagonize the baristas! They are our friends and they have their own problems with Starbucks. We want Starbucks corporate to wake up to this problem.
Related links:
Wikipedia entry on Starbucks
Alliance for Environmental Innovation 1997 statement
Starucks/Alliance for Environmental Innovation 2000 plan
Starbucks Corporation
About Starbucks
Starbucks company fact sheet
-
Anonymous replied on Sep 29, 2008
-
ellen stout replied on Nov 18, 2008i have not had coffee at starbucks in about 4 years .they should try to sell reusable travel cups and give a discount to any one who brings the cup back to be reused
-
Anonymous replied on Nov 20, 2008
What about compostable cups?
If Starbucks were to switch to compostable cups in place of the plastic cups, on-the-go customers would not be faced with the dilema of staying in to enjoy a cup of joe in a ceramic cup or having to leave with a one-time-use plastic cup.
More Info: http://www.worldcentric.org/biocompostables/cup…Although in order to be completely sustainable Starbucks should see to it that the cups are then composted, but at least on-the-go customers have the option of composting the cup themselves and feel good about supporting the compostable technology industry.
I would be thrilled if Starbucks had ceramic cups for “for here” orders because I do not always have my coffee mug with me and sometimes I spontaneously drop in for a cup of coffee. I wish that coffee shops would be more innovative coffee like Kean Coffee!!!!
-
Mindy replied on Dec 1, 2008I was stunned to learn that Starbucks will not sell ceramic & metal reusable mugs for coffee & tea. I had always taken my coffee to go & was pleased to learn that their paper to go cups were made primarily of recycled materials. Not so happy to find out that it could not be recycled after consumer use. Close only counts in a game using a horse shoes. It got worse when I found that Starbucks won’t even let you get your coffee in a coffee mug you bring in “for here.” It really is a case of my way or the highway. OK. it is easier for Starbucks to use only one type of container in terms of washing cups they own & in terms of the quantity of coffee or tea that goes into the various cups used “for here.” That’s actually pennies. The cost is in the number the paper cups used. Not using those would save Starbucks money, so I’m confused. Guess it’s a matter of qty control. My Starbucks friends & I will try for a set period of time to ask Starbucks to fill our “for here cups;” if it doesn’t work out, we will move on to a place that encourages use of the consumer’s cup or free coffee if you buy new mug/
‘’’;
-
Mindy replied on Dec 1, 2008
I was stunned to learn that Starbucks will not sell ceramic & metal reusable mugs for coffee & tea. I had always taken my coffee to go & was pleased to learn that their paper to go cups were made primarily of recycled materials. Not so happy to find out that it could not be recycled after consumer use. Close only counts in a game using a horse shoes. It got worse when I found that Starbucks won’t even let you get your coffee in a coffee mug you bring in “for here.” It really is a case of my way or the highway. OK. it is easier for Starbucks to use only one type of container in terms of washing cups they own & in terms of the quantity of coffee or tea that goes into the various cups used “for here.” That’s actually pennies. The cost is in the number the paper cups used. Not using those would save Starbucks money, so I’m confused. Guess it’s a matter of qty control. My Starbucks friends & I will try for a set period of time to ask Starbucks to fill our “for here cups;” if it doesn’t work out, we will move on to a place that encourages use of the consumer’s cup or free coffee if you buy new mug.
‘’’;
-
Lydia Boykin replied on Jul 23, 2009
uh…
they do sell reusable / travel mugs in every store i’ve been in.
they do give a discount for using your own cup in every store i’ve been in.
the store i worked at had cafe style mugs ready to serve in- customers just had to specify that it was “for here”. that’s right. all they had to do was ask.
don’t get me wrong. i’m not a starbucks fan – they get PLENTY wrong.
but in every single store i’ve been in, the opportunity to reduce cup waste has been one the customer or consumer should have taken some responsiblity for.
-
Sarah Clark replied on Mar 26, 2010
Interesting reading the comments.
Maybe it’s so different because I’m in Canada? Or maybe we just have a good Starbucks.
We have ceramic mugs and plates and everything at every Starbucks I’ve ever been to.
In our city we can now recycle the cups.
Also interesting what Lauren said about not being allowed to hand out cups without lids. I’ve never been given a cup with a lid, or a sleeve. I always have to go get everything myself at the condiment table.
Basically I think it really depends where you are and the type of Starbucks.
I’m not sure this plan will work, Lauren is right – there’s no where to keep the cups. They’ll probably just get thrown out.
Maybe if customers take the cups with them and bring them back the next day? But then it might just be easier to bring in your own ceramic mug.
Though I have to admit the thought of a line of cups with names on them is a much more visible protest.
Post Reply
I recently set up glassrootsmovement.org to provide GLASS to-go cups for iced coffees, teas, etc. The cups are nearly indestructable thick glass, with tight-fitting lids, and the option of adding a reusable indestructible glass straw. They are dishwasher safe as well and should last forever unless you drive over it. It is another option to paper and plastic as well as being a healthy alternative as there is nothing that will leach into your drink. I use mine at Starbucks and any “to go” restaurant for all my drinks and it works wonderfully!
Post Reply
Just like their “dipper wells” which are a blatant waste of water..
Water to burn at fussy Starbucks – Sydney Morning Herald
I called up the Brisbane City Council AQAP after reading this seeing as we are strict water restrictions and after quite a bit of to-ing and fro-ing, I was informed that they could do nothing about it..
Just feel like walking straight into every Starbucks (the ones that are still open :) ) and turning off the inane tap..
Post Reply
Corporate policies that do not favor the fight against global climate change need to be taken to task for it!
If you’d like to know more about reducing your carbon footprint, what the government is doing about it, new sustainable resources, etc. consider these links:
Post Reply
