Big changes underway at Starbucks

 

Starbucks has announced it intends to significantly reduce its carbon footprint over the next decade. 

According to a news release, Starbucks is making science-based changes to reduce their carbon emissions, water use and waste by the year 2030. 

“As we approach the 50th anniversary of Starbucks in 2021, we are looking ahead with a heightened sense of urgency and conviction that we must challenge ourselves, think bigger and do much more in partnership with others to take care of the planet we share,” Kevin Johnson, CEO of Starbucks, said in the release. 

In order to ensure the company meets its goals, it has outlined a five-part strategy: 

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

Additionally, by 2030, Starbucks wants to reduce carbon emissions from Starbucks direct operations and supply chains by 50 per cent, reduce the waste they create that gets sent to landfills by 50 per cent, and reduce their water usage by 50 per cent. 

Further, Johnson announced Starbucks be performing comprehensive market research and trials during the new year to better understand consumer behaviour and incentives to encourage more use of reusable containers.

Cover photo courtesy of Starbucks Canada’s Twitter