Starbucks Trash: Behind the Scenes

I always order mine in a "here" cup. you just ask for them. They have them.

While I like the idea that Starbucks has paper cups, whats sad is the plastic cold drink cups they use. I don't know why Starbucks and some other big name fast food stores don;t stop this use of plastic cups and stick with the paper. engineeringarecycablesociety@blogspot.com

I live in Virginia.   The local Starbucks has 'for here' mugs and glasses available upon request, and has the mugs displayed with a sign that says "ask for a for here mug." This summer, they put in a trashcan with both a recyclable and non recyclable option, with what materials are recyclable clearly illustrated on the lid.  While this is only one can, and only inside the store, I know that the recycled side is emptied much more often than the waste side.   Which is better than nothing.  I think it also makes us consumers more aware of how much we doom to the landfill that could be recycled instead.  

Try a KeepCup.  These are reusable cups that are "Barista Standard." They should fit under any Starbucks machine.

KeepCup.com

Starbucks will only use a durable cup IF IT IS ONE THEY HAVE SOLD.  Don't expect to get the ceramic cup your daughter made filled there.

Thank you Beth, it was an interesting (but depressing) post.

I believe in recycling (although I also think it doesn't completely make up for using so much plastics in the first place).

I believe the companies like Starbucks or McDonalds will actually do it only if it makes economical sense to them (or at least if it doesn't cost them too much money)

I think it works only for a few companies (Coca-Cola, Danone...)

For the food containers for example, a good recycling system requires:

- making containers that are easily recyclable in the first place 

- separate bins (for at least paper & plastics, possibly more)

- having people use those bins properly

- collecting and conveying those to plants where they can be recycled properly

- subsidizing those recycling plants, and in return getting recycled raw materials to make new containers

And I think it is difficult to meet all those together.

The waste collection system varies by country (and sometimes even by city in those countries). The Starbucks stores I went to Japan had separate bins for plastics, paper, compost, food&beverage waste. But in some cities, paper & plastic wastes are collected together.

Does that mean that Starbucks should have their own waste collection trucks? That would be way too expensive.

And it is (mostly?) about how environmentally responsible people are in the country you live in. In Hong Kong, I am shocked to see how poorly people sort their trash (if at all). I don't think putting the right bins and signs in stores will change much if you don't educate people first.

In the end, I think it is part Starbuck's fault, but also part ours.

I usually avoid Starbucks, but I know that, at least in Switzerland and Germany, they serve hot beverages in ceramic cups unless you order for take away.

Surely having recycled glass measuring jugs for making the drinks would make sense? It is often green in colour too.. perfect for Starbucks' branding.

That way they could ensure that it was freshly washed for each coffee, not contaminated, and then pour the drink into customers' reusable cups whatever their size.

And for training, they can be used again and again and again.

Or is that just too simple?

I used to work next door to a Starbucks and would pop in for an iced tea every now and then. At that time (2009), they offered refills on the tea for around .50cents and ALWAYS used the original cup. Then one day, I presented the cup for refill and they said they'd have to toss it and use a new one. I was pretty shocked and asked why and they said it would be a health code violations otherwise. Seriously?! Now that I'm plastic-aware, I avoid Starbucks big time. However, a person who tries to carry along reusable everything, I recently had a run in at Whole Foods. I tend to buy lots of things in bulk and bring my own cloth bags and was told I would not be permitted to do so anymore because of the health code. This pisses me off to no end. I keep those bags very clean (duh, I'm eating out of them).  

I think that it's important for Starbucks to know that people are watching. I have an espresso machine at home which I use religiously but a few months ago it started acting up. While it was being repaired, I stopped at my local Starbucks every morning for my latte (which, living in Seattle, means it is a truly local business for me). After the first few days something occurred to me - I'm betting that Starbucks doesn't use organic (non-rBst) milk. Sure enough, I checked the website, and their milk is not something I would normally use at home or feed to my family. When I left a note on their website over six weeks ago, I have yet to receive a response. When I asked an employee, she shrugged her shoulders and said she figured it was way too expensive.  Starbucks has shown themselves to be responsive to customer pressure, so I say we bring it on and help educate them that their customers want a truly green company!

 @awakeatheart 

"There's no reason starbucks can't create reusable measuring cups for hot drinks.  Though I would place bets that if they did so they'd be made of plastic, just from a breakage standpoint."

The Second Cup, a Canadian franchise, uses stainless steel measuring cups that they rinse. Easy peasy!

I've only been to a Starbucks a few times. I've been boycotting them since I found out that they  are the official coffee shop of Guantanamo Bay. When I got out a megaphone in Ottawa as part of the Campaign to Stop Canadian Involvement in Torture, and read out the allegations, well, they kinda barred me...

My hub worked for starbucks for 3 years.  That meant I was at the store a lot, so I got to learn quite a bit about their practices.  The "measuring cup" is one thing that does annoy me, though it's mostly new people who tend to use them.  To say that there's no other way to do it is just completely false.  Cold drinks with multiple parts are measured in a reusable cup that is then quick-washed and used again.  There's no reason starbucks can't create reusable measuring cups for hot drinks.  Though I would place bets that if they did so they'd be made of plastic, just from a breakage standpoint.

The thing that bothered me the most from our local store was that there was NO recycling.  This is something that's currently starting to be implemented front of house on a store by store basis in starbucks around our area (and is entirely based on that local store being able to secure local recycling pickup services), but it doesn't mean it's being implemented behind the counter.  The sheer amount of plastic milk jugs used and tossed daily was just shocking to me.

I have had very positive experiences at my local Starbucks.  All the Starbucks that I've visited in Maryland and Kentucky offer "For Here" mugs, you just have to know to ask.  I use them whenever I forget my own mug.  I have also watched them fill my personal cup and they don't use a paper cup, except for one barista who was new.  I mentioned it to the manager (a friend) and she said she'd bring the new girl up to speed.   They don't get absolution for all the junk and waste that they and the customers produce, but, I can, with minimal effort, get my drink without involving any disposable cups.

Great post, Beth! I visit Starbucks every week just because it's perfectly between me and my circle of friends who like to meet and knit on Sunday mornings. I always bring my own cup, but cringe whenever the baristas walk by with bags of trash - which seems to happen every hour or so.

I was inspired by this post to start a social media flash mob on Twitter and Facebook. Hope people here will join in! http://fiveseed.wordpress.com/2012/07/21/flash-mob-starbucks/

I'm in the UK & have been to various Starbucks in London & Manchester. I'm always automatically given a ceramic mug when I drink inside as is everyone else.

Wow. Just wow. This is heartbreaking but important to know. Thank you to the brave barista who wrote this...

Love and light,

Sue

I wrote on to them and this is the response that I got back.  Starbucks response to me: 

Thank you for contacting Starbucks Coffee Company.

Starbucks white paper cups, used for hot beverages, are made of paper fiber and the industry standard liner (low-density polyethylene plastic). The paper provides the rigidity for the cup, while the plastic layer keeps the paper layer intact by protecting it from the hot beverage. This plastic layer also makes the hot beverage cups unrecyclable in most paper recycling systems. We are continually evaluating alternatives to the current plastic coating, and are currently conducting life cycle assessments for bio-based plastics.

Other actions taken by Starbucks to reduce the environmental impacts of our disposable cups include:

Working to eliminate most double-cupping by utilizing corrugated hot beverage sleeves made of 60 percent post-consumer recycled fiber.Offering customers a $0.10 discount when they use their own reusable cups. Customers in the U.S. and Canada took advantage of this offer more than 17 million times in fiscal 2006, keeping 674,000 pounds of paper from going to the landfill.Providing "for here" mugs for customers who choose to enjoy their beverages in-store. Customers enjoying their beverage in-store can also request that it be served in a ceramic mug where available.

For more information, please visit us online at http://www.starbucks.com/responsibility

WOW. I cant believe that Starbucks does not even bother to recycle. What about NOT going to Starbucks? That seems to be the only real solution. I make my iced tea at home (sportea) and carry it with me wherever I go. 

Im Very Old fashioned- coming form the end of the Earth (australia/NZ) I wouldnt dream of patronising  Star Bucks or any like it. Once and only once to be dissappointed. Coffee is meant to be SERVED in a ceramic cup and  bought To you (as in a La carte) To Wait In Line then have some one YELL at you is Not service!! Its American. (sorry thats the way we see it) When I abandoned my Fearsome looking boyfriend at a similar venue- Boost juice ( where smoothys are served) here in Aus- the staff were too scared to call out a Female name at him, and so left the drink on the counter!  Any way, back to the issue. We as a society have embraced Conveinence as a given when its not hard to figure out it only multiplies our waste. People spend more time and fuel emmissions sitting in the drive in line- than it wld take to just stop, walk in, order. reduce carbon output (fractionally- but every bit will help)  I LOVE walkin to my cafe, waitin as long as it takes and sharing the place with only one or two others.

I was in Mexico City and all of the Starbucks I went to had recycling bins so you could put compostable, organic material, paper, and plastic. I noticed that no one threw anything in the trash. Napkins went into compostable and people took the tops off of their coffees/espressos and put in plastic and the paper cup in the paper bin. But Mexico as a country has a longer history of recycling in public places than the U.S.

Thanks to this person for exposing the truth...I'll definitely think twice before getting another coffee from them.

I've been reading all of your comments and am dying to chime in. I manufacture cosmetics, and I package only in metal and glass, preferably that my clients provide. What you need to know as consumers is that behind the scenes - behind everything you buy ready made - is a tragic pile of plastic. That is why the focus of my business is teaching people how to make things themselves. There is always less waste on the back end when you buy ingredients and DIY. Let me reveal to you the tragedy of my waste count. I am using the term tragedy consciously - it is an avoidable, bad thing. Let's say I order 25 kgs of natural soda. I will repackage it by the kilo in reused jars and bags, so there's no harm there. But the giant double layer paper bag is shipped to me in a cardboard box lined with 2 plastic bags. For strength? Apparently not because these are the flimsy now banned in China ultra light bags. It's that way because of perception aesthetics alone. People feel that plastic is "clean" apparently, although to me it's filthy, and likely contaminated with lead and radioactive particles. So I reuse the flimsy bags to pack excess recycling because they are clear and I would never ever buy plastic recycling bags. And I politely ask my supplier to stop. And they tell me people like it. I am persistent. I am loved. I am worth tens of thousands of dollars to them every year. I got them to agree to refill their jugs at the warehouse. I have, by teaching monthly for them, increased their sales of glass and metal packaging exponentially. But *sigh* the double bagging persists. Another apparently innocent example: I order a case of metal bottles. they are 100% recyclable, 99% recycled aluminum. That saved 14,000 times the energy it would take to make new; so far so good. And they come packed in a corrugated cardboard box. Excellent. Without warning, the manufacturer took out the cardboard separators and replaced them with individual plastic bags inserted over the open tops of every bottle. 20 bottles = 20 bags. So I reuse the bags to package the dry bulk items people order - clays and minerals etc. I donate excess bags to Arts Junktion for educators. But alas, behind every metal bottle is a bag. And back at the warehouse of my supplier, the cases of bottles were in bigger boxes that were wrapped top to bottom on skids with plastic strapping and cling wrap. Interestingly enough, most of that 2% of plastic that is recycled in North America is that violently toxic cling wrap used to secure pallets of stuff. And I am saying all this because I want you to know that there is always a back end to what we are consuming. The supplier could be a freak like me who asks, cajoles, complains and embarasses her suppliers, but ultimately we need our whole society to put its collective foot down. Flimsy plastic bags that are used to keep products "clean" cost billions of dollars worldwide as they clog up machines in recycling and waste processing plants, all the way to clogging sewers and leading to flood damage. This is why China has banned the flimsy bags. Take that in. CHINA HAS BANNED WHAT WE CAN'T SEEM TO GET ENOUGH OF. And I know that waste management here in Toronto would love to get plastic bags out of the waste stream. Virtually every stoppage in the plants is due to bags stuck in the gears and thing-ys. People always say - what is the alternative? I say human beings have existed for tens of thousands of years eating, drinking, storing and trading. Look to what we used before plastic became the norm. It's not so long ago. Bring back the world of the jelly jar with the crimped metal lid, the crates insulated with saw dust, local manufacturing and the realization that if it came all the way from the other side of the planet it will rightfully cost more. Bring back the knowledge of how to make our own cleaning products and delicious foods! Okay, rant over. Complain persistently and lovingly. Thanks for listening.

WHOA... this is ridiculous.  Though, the more I think about it... I'm not overly shocked about some things.  I think that there (obviously) is A LOT of room for improvement.  BUT... what is irking me the most is that if people are trying to do the right thing by bringing their own mug... they are completely blind to the fact that Starbucks is creating the trash anyway!!  What's the point of telling people to "BYOM" ??  To appear environmentally conscious??  To make people feel all warm and fuzzy for doing the right thing??  I don't get it.

Ok... so I don't frequent Starbucks.  The only time I go there is when we're traveling and there's nothing else.  They do have ceramic mugs... BUT... you have to specifically ask for them.  Same goes for a spoon... when asking for a spoon use the term "metal spoon" otherwise you are sure to get single-use plastic.  How come they don't ask, "for 'here' or 'to-go'"??  You answer "here", you get reusables.  How much money could Starbucks save on product and trash service by making a simple change??  (I'd venture to say a lot).

Another thing that isn't in this post that bothers me is their little honey packets.  When I go to Starbucks (which isn't often because of this), I only get hot green tea (which I should say that, as a "high-end" coffee shop, they should do bulk tea in the paper pouches).  Anyway, every time I get a tea there, I do so without honey because those packets are so stupid!  Honey is sticky... you'd be lucky to get a half a teaspoon from a packet.  Every other place that I have gotten tea from has a little honey carafe (and some even have agave in a squeeze bottle).

 Oh, and here's a pic of the very rare reusable mug at Starbucks ;)  http://statigr.am/p/338837001_9844788

One of the reasons I believe that Starbucks failed in Australia (apart from the perception of poor quality coffee) was the use of disposable cups.  As a general rule, most Australian cafes use ceramic cups and wash them for in-store service, and I think that's what most people prefer.  Unfortunately, like everywhere else, takeaway coffee is usually served in disposable cups unless people bring their own.

Thanks for posting this.  I don't frequent Starbucks but go there periodically and had more importantly bought many gift cards for others from Starbucks.  I'll definitely be writing to them now.  I have been into a few non-name brand coffee shops and cafes where I order an iced coffee in my reusable mug and they make it in a disposable and tell me I can pour it into my mug if I want.  They don't tell me this upfront when I hand them the mug so I can't stop it - incredibly frustrating!  I wonder why they think I want the drink in a reusable mug in the first place?

@EcoCatLady I commend your attitude to just live away from convenience foods. I personally really like strong Starbucks coffee, it makes me happy, I don't drink it to medicate. :) I also cold brew my own coffee at home, but the local Starbucks charges me 53 CENTS for a big coffee refill with 2 espresso shots. That's a score!! I think because 'Bucks is so big and SO ingrained in the day to day lives of many people including the very rich and powerful, that adopting efforts to improve its shade of green would have a ripple effect on society. It's true that a bandaid isn't going to stop an artery from bleeding, but it's better than nothing, and Starbucks is here to stay. :( I feel like its a responsibility of us consumers to at least try meekly to staunch the blood flow.

This sort of post leaves me with such mixed feelings. On the one hand, I'm so glad that there are people looking at this sort of thing and trying to think of ways to improve the status quo. On the other hand, to me this entire topic strikes me as the equivalent of trying to make a healthy brownie or putting a band-aid on an amputation.

I guess from my perspective, the problem isn't really that Starbucks isn't green enough, it's that we live in a crazy culture where a concept as ludicrous as take out coffee can flourish. I realize that I'm operating several standard deviations away from the norm here, but I just can't help it.

I mean just look at it from a Martian's perspective for a moment. We live in a society where everybody is overworked and sleep deprived, so we rely on instantly and readily available liquid stimulants in order to keep everything running. And don't even get me started on the fact that the beans to create this beverage are shipped in from half way around the planet... And what we're worried about is the fact that the cups aren't recycled - never mind the fact that recycling them generally entails shipping them half way across the world again...

I dunno... I know my perspective is radical and not likely to catch on, but personally, I'd rather put my efforts into helping a few people open their eyes a bit, and realize that they don't have to participate in the craziness of our culture which allows places like Starbucks to thrive in the first place. Seems to me that if people just started getting adequate amounts of sleep, and refused to take on such busy schedules where they're "out and about" all day long and need a quick "pick-me-up," we'd all be so much better off.

Sorry to rant. I wish you all the best of luck in your efforts to hold Starbucks to their green claims. But since I've never set foot in one of their shops, and have no intention of ever doing so, I think I'll just keep plugging away at trying to change the bigger picture - lofty, impractical and idealistic as that may be.

so frustrating; although, I must admit I've had good luck just asking for a ceramic mug to stay.

I wrote them a message and made it clear that I won't be spending my money there without an earnest attempt at change. I'll let you know if I get a response.

In India, most of the local coffee(and tea-shops) used to provide steel or ceramic glasses for tea or coffee, but these days even the street side shops in cities use plastic glasses because they are dirt cheap and they can just throw it away. The other problem is there is water scarcity in most Indian cities which prevents them from washing those glasses(steel or ceramic) and re-using it. Water may be far more expensive than plastic cups for them. But the root cause IMO is the urban living which is based on fast-food and eating out most of the time. And plastic is big part of urban living - your lives in cities would stall if they stop producing plastics. I think we are definitely on a downward spiral of destruction of nature so far down the line  that we will not be able to arrest  with any kind of efforts.

Down here in texas they have ceramic mugs too. Always a little confused when my Dutch friends and I (Brit) ask for them, but they're getting used to it.

Their contact form was a pretty easy way for me to say "I really really want to be able to recycle the cups from Starbucks. Would you please get recycling bins at all of the stores?" If they hear this often enough, change will happen.

I see durable mugs at Starbucks. The larger ones-maybe not the corner financial district types. Also, it seems that what the writer is talking about is more of a failures of the state/local legislation. I have lived in nj and ca and recycling was mandatory in both places. also, technically the cups arent recyclabl, they are compostable. It's my understanding that soiled paper and cardboard are not recyclable. I'm not saying that Starbucks is some bastion of greenery, but the biggest problem for the writer seems to be the local culture, recycling laws and also consumer education.

I love coffee, but I love the environment more. Personal boycott aside, I'll be sharing this post to help get the word out that the only thing "green" at Starbucks, is their logo.

I always ask for a ceramic mug for "here" and I have never had a problem with availability, though sometimes you have to be explicit and state you want a reusable mug from the store--especially if the barista isn't used to receiving the request. I find a lot of my issues are geographical. If you live in a place that isn't used to requests for reusable mugs, and their default is a paper cup. More explicit communication and explanation is required with the barista verses when I used to live in Seattle, reusable mugs are the norm. Same goes with using my own reusable to go tumbler. I have not had issues with baristas using paper cups for measuring at places that are used to people bringing their own cup (or if you are a regular at the store--the baristas begin to expect your reusable cup). However, when I went to a Starbucks at an obscure Midwest town that seemed to not be on the green "up and up," the barista wasted a paper cup in order to use it for measurements for my plastic tumbler. It seems a lot of it is community culture.

its not just stbx, its any chain! funny thing is that it would save them money not being so wasteful

such waste. the cups can be composted and if you drink on site, why the cup to begin with?

Go to site below and make a suggestion to buy some reusable measuring cups already! http://mystarbucksidea.force.com/

I have never worked for any sort of large company that didn't produce ungodly amounts of trash, & never recycle at that. Bed bath & beyond, dollar tree, Victoria' Secret.. Everything shipped to them comes in boxes of boxes of boxes. It's no surprise that starbucks is "not green".

Packaging of all types in this country is a huge issue....

Thanks to the brave employee who shared this.  We don't have a Starbucks in my town, though I do patronize them when I travel.  But much of what is shared here I see to be true in other coffee shops.  For Starbucks in general I can see us all writing to them and encouraging others to do the same.  (Rather than general e-mails, it might be more effective to wait until you visit a Starbucks and can then write something regarding the specific location you were at and very specific things you saw there.)  I am a strong believer in each one of us having to speak up and stick our necks out.  If you go into a coffee shop and are staying, ask for a ceramic mug.  If they don't have them, then tell them, "okay, no thanks, I'll go somewhere else!"  Or if it is a place you go to often, ask for the manager and say that as a regular customer you'd like to see them make certain changes.  I pick and choose my times for speaking up and taking a stand -- I don't always do it.  But when I have the time and energy, I do (much to the dismay of my 11 year-old!).  The other day I went into Home Depot in search of large compostable paper trash bags to use for our garden waste (the twiggy stuff that doesn't work in our compost pile).  I asked the two young employees stationed by the front door where they might be.  They looked at each other and both said that they hadn't had those in a few years, they only had plastic bags.  I told them that, during the summer in our town, there is city compost pick-up, and if you put your yard debris out in a paper compostable bag it will be picked up with the compost.  They both raised their eyebrows and said, "really?"  I suggested they mention this to their higher ups as I didn't want their plastic bags and then walked out of the store.  I don't expect that will change anything at this point, but if enough people did it. . . (I did find the bags I was looking for at our locally owned Ace Hardware store.) 

Hi Beth-

Great post. I really appreciate this. As a Seattle native, I see way too much Starbucks trash.

Although I don't really intend to stand up for Starbucks, I do want to say that they do offer ceramic mugs for in-store drinking. If you ask for your order "for here", they will write your drink order on a small slip of paper instead of a single-use cup, and the barista will make sure it goes into a ceramic mug. Most stores don't have them displayed, but you just have to ask.

In Seattle, where we consider ourselves green and have a Starbucks on 50% of all commercial blocks, I'm absolutely appalled at the waste. Yes, we can recycle the lids and cups here, and compost the drink sleeves, but it rarely gets done. We have a mix of stores with and without recycling, and I am unclear if outside Seattle city limits if it was for both hot and cold cups. Sure the hot cups are recyclable, but that is assuming your city accepts these types of containers. We all know that having arrows and and a number on a plastic item doesn't mean anything about it's ability to be recycled in most areas.

That garbage can looks like it could be from downtown Seattle on a Saturday afternoon.