In an effort to combat rising prices and reduce waste, Starbucks is slimming down its plastic cold cups by 20% in the United States. The company hopes that customers won’t even notice the difference, as the cups will still feel sturdy. This reduction in plastic is part of Starbucks’ goal to have all packaging be reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2030, with a 50% reduction in waste. The current cups are made from polypropylene, which is easy to recycle but can still take 20 to 30 years to decompose.
An advocacy group known as the Plastic Pollution Coalition praised Starbucks’ efforts to reduce plastic waste but called for a shift towards plastic-free reuse in materials such as stainless steel, glass, or ceramic. Starbucks has been testing discounts for customers who bring their own mugs in select markets like California. Customers who bring a personal cup receive a $0.10 discount, with Starbucks Rewards members earning 25 bonus stars. This initiative aims to encourage customers to use reusable options and reduce their environmental impact.
The process of slimming down the plastic cups took four years of testing thousands of iterations to find the right balance of reducing plastic while maintaining cup sturdiness. As lids will now be one-size-fits-all, smaller cups are likely to be wider. Starbucks is making these changes in response to inflation and rising costs, as well as a growing consumer demand for businesses to reduce their environmental footprint. By making these changes, Starbucks is demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices.
In addition to slimming down its plastic cold cups, Starbucks is also working towards a broader goal of reducing its overall plastic waste. Customers reportedly discard 35 million pounds of plastic from Starbucks drinks each year. This move towards more sustainable packaging is part of a larger effort to address environmental concerns and reduce the company’s impact on the planet. While the exact details of the new plastic cups have not been revealed, Starbucks’ commitment to reducing waste and moving towards more environmentally friendly materials is a positive step in the right direction.
The Plastic Pollution Coalition wants to see Starbucks and other food and beverage retailers prioritize plastic-free reuse options in the form of stainless steel, glass, or ceramic cups. While the reduction in plastic cups is a positive step, the advocacy group is calling for even more significant changes to help combat the global plastic waste crisis. By shifting away from single-use plastic and towards more sustainable solutions, Starbucks and other companies can play a role in reducing plastic pollution and protecting the environment for future generations.
In conclusion, Starbucks’ decision to slim down its plastic cold cups is part of a larger effort to reduce waste and promote sustainability. By testing discounts for customers who bring their own cups and working towards more environmentally friendly packaging, Starbucks is demonstrating a commitment to responsible business practices. While there is still more work to be done to address the plastic waste crisis, Starbucks’ efforts are a step in the right direction towards creating a more sustainable future.
