Hi, I’m Sue, from the Global Responsibility team, and a new moderator here on My Starbucks Idea. I’m really excited to join this team and work on bringing some of the great ideas that are posted to life. I wanted to talk a little about where we are on recycling. “Recycle!!!” is still a top idea, and we are looking at ways to increase recycling in every aspect of our business.
If you are an avid follower of this site, one thing we have done recently is introduce a new cup for our VIVANNO™ blended beverage. Jim Hanna posted a great blog entry about the new cup in July, please go check it out. The cup is made from #5 plastic, or polypropylene, which has less environmental impact that a #1 (PET) cups – it’s got 15% less plastic, and generates 45% less greenhouse gases to make than the same size PET cup. Be sure to ask your local recycler first, but #5 cups should be recyclable with yogurt, butter, and margarine tubs – it’s the same material and is recycled through the same processes. Usually the #1 cups are not recyclable – even when #1 bottles are!
An update on actions we can take together:
We are working on ways to increase recycling in the stores, and reviewing where recycling is available periodically to make sure we keep up to date. When recycling becomes available in an area, we are letting the stores know. Many stores do recycle a lot of things in the “back of the house” – such as milk jugs, whipped cream chargers, and cardboard. But in some locations there isn’t recycling service. This is an area where you can help us. If there is no recycling at all in your area, contact the local government and demand it. Not only will this help us get commercial recycling in the area, but it will give you an opportunity to recycle at home, and really reduce the amount of trash going to landfills!
High impact take-away idea:
Finally, you can also help by asking for a “for here” ceramic cup if you are staying at the store, and bringing your own mug if you are on the go (and if you use your own cup, you’ll save a dime, which is nice). Don’t forget to take some Grounds for Your Garden with you, because they are great for your plants and also really cut down on the amount of waste from the store. Some stores give most of their grounds away to their customers – there are lots of happy plants in the neighborhoods around those stores!