Recycling is Coming to a Starbucks Store Near You
Mar 22, 2012
by Jim Hanna		   RSS

Requesting recycling in our stores has been one of the all-time top ideas from both our customers and our partners (employees) since My Starbucks Idea launched in March of 2008.  Offering front-of-store recycling in 100% of our company-owned stores has also been a public goal of ours since 2008. While our baristas have been recycling packaging and other materials behind the counter in the majority of our company-owned stores, recycling bins for our customers to use have been noticeably scarce.

We have worked over the years to identify the infrastructure and operational procedures needed to implement recycling in the front of our stores, and are now excited to announce that customer recycling in our stores has officially launched! Between now and our target date of 2015, you will start to see recycling containers show up in stores in your neighborhood.  Service should be similar to what you see at home in your curbside recycling (if you have it!), with one bin for recyclables, one for composting and one for trash.

A related journey is the evolution of our paper and plastic cups. We’re working hard to make sure our cups will be universally recyclable when we introduce recycling bins in our stores. Right now, some communities still don’t accept these cups for recycling. In those cities, we are working directly with recyclers, paper mills and local government officials to build a recycling market for our cups. Our aim is for you to be able to recycle your cup not just in our stores, but wherever you choose to dispose of them, because   regardless of the materials they’re made out of, our cups will only be truly recyclable when you’re able to recycle them wherever you live, work and play.

For these efforts to be truly successful, we need your help.  If the recycling bin gets full of garbage, unfortunately, it all becomes garbage, so take an extra second to make sure what you’re throwing away or recycling at your local Starbucks is going into the proper bin.

See our 2011 Global Responsibility Report and the updated information on Starbucks.com to learn more about our recycling programs.   And thank you, in advance, for recycling.

 

 

Inspired by your ideas:

Recycling
posted by deetfind

22 comments Launched, Social Responsibility


archena
3/22/2012 10:04 AM

Nice work Starbucks! Thanks! I still believe more folks should bring in reusable mugs and tumblers

1985
3/23/2012 9:41 PM

I like this.

Melody
3/24/2012 9:08 AM

This is really excellent! Congrats Jim and all of Starbucks!  Now if we could do more to get customers to use a personal cup/tumbler or for-here ware - Avoid throwing something in a bin at all, which ultimately will have to be sorted, reprocessed, trucked around ... etc...

Customer
3/30/2012 3:51 PM

We’ve crossed another milestone. Thanks to all the ideas, votes and comments from the My Starbucks

Teakay
4/9/2012 7:06 AM

Great idea, but what about all the people who leave the store with a new cup every day. Why not lower the prices of your reusable cups? I need a new one because they are such a hot commodity that my last one was stolen. Fifteen dollars for a cup is crazy!

fyrhouse
5/1/2012 4:52 PM

I would like to see the trash cans come back and also recycling our plastic cups...I think it would be a great idea...Because sometimes I dont bring my cup back for a refill...

ladyluna67
6/29/2012 2:46 PM

Many of the Starbucks do this... but the one near me has the duel lid... but... the trashcan is all the same. Disappointed in this particular SB...

Songster
6/29/2012 5:01 PM

Recycling bins, yes!  But do more to encourage people to use reusable mugs as well.  And it doesn't have to be simply a better discount (but I would like that too). It could be signs.  It could be some special recognition at the register.  Maybe an express line for faster service.  Maybe a free refill.

Bubisamongus
6/29/2012 8:56 PM

I recently bought a $25.oo stainless grande cup from starbucks. Several people thought I was crazy. I explained to them that I bought it because theres no Recycling bins in Starbucks and I did not want to keep using the plastic cups anymore. I recycled them at home but my vehicle should not have to be a recycling bin when I spend the kind of money I do at starbucks.

borderline
6/29/2012 9:07 PM

Great idea. Bring it on to Northern Cal. Have any ideas for yesterday's cup in the drive-through?

MishaF
6/30/2012 4:32 AM

Please get the recycling bins to the store in New Paltz, NY ASAP.  We are a very eco-conscious village and would appreciate Starbucks' cooperation in being a more sustainable, responsible business in our community.

cherylmamma
6/30/2012 8:11 AM

Fabulous, I have been recycling since I was preggers with my 41 year old. The more we,as a country, recycle the less trash  needing landfill area to dump in regularly. I am wondering if you will also have composting bins for the 'dirty' cups, I separate cup, lid and sleeve to recycle now? I love Starbuck's but to bring responsibility to the forefront is a huge step for a nationwide company. Congrats and keep up the good work!

GCR69
6/30/2012 8:12 AM

Recycling is a big thing in my home and I'm happy now it's at my favorite coffee location - Starbucks! Super job!

GCR69
6/30/2012 8:12 AM

Recycling is a big thing in my home and I'm happy now it's at my favorite coffee location - Starbucks! Super job!

NGrace
6/30/2012 9:03 AM

Thank you for these changes in recycling on the customer side.  When customers see that recoiling is going on, it also reinforces the fact that we need to reduce, reuse and recycle everything we can.  Post lots of signs too so people get it.  

NGrace
6/30/2012 9:03 AM

Thank you for these changes in recycling on the customer side.  When customers see that recoiling is going on, it also reinforces the fact that we need to reduce, reuse and recycle everything we can.  Post lots of signs too so people get it.  

poolmangmr
6/30/2012 10:42 AM

This is great, but can't you do more in your kiosks? I notice that only a few kiosks have employee recycling and compost. Very few have customer recycling containers set up. Since you control the area around the kiosks in stores and malls, couldn't you continue your good efforts and place recycle containers in that space for both the employees and customers? With all the non Starbucks foot traffic in these areas, it seems like it would be an easy way to self promote "Green" efforts, as well as show that you truly are making great efforts towards recycling.

LoveMyLattes22
7/15/2012 10:06 PM

FINALLY!  As others have commented, my car is a giant recycling bin with all the Starbucks cups I accumulate b/f dropping them off at the recycling station.

Note: I would indicate on the receptacles or on a sign above the receptacles what is recylable and what isn't.  For example, I'd assumed the plastic cups for iced beverages are recyclable, but what about the hot beverage cups?  Glass bottles and aluminum cans would be recyclable but what about plastic to-go utensils?

LoveMyLattes22
7/15/2012 10:11 PM

On a related note, I think Starbucks should advertise that customers can order their hot beverages "no sleeve".  This would save countless trees.  For example, I'd order a "venti soy latte, no sleeve".

stevensnewyork
9/20/2012 7:16 AM

Okay - way to go. Make it happen in NYC please! This place needs Starbucks to make a difference. 2015 is a long way away... any info on the location roll outs?

Customer
1/15/2013 4:55 PM

A top suggestion on My Starbucks Idea has been to focus on offering recycling in stores. We've made

greenriver315
1/22/2013 8:34 PM

"While our baristas have been recycling packaging and other materials behind the counter in the majority of our company-owned stores..."

What determines what stores recycle what packaging? Why isn't my Starbucks in that "majority"? I think it should be mandatory that all stores recycle all recyclable materials. At my Starbucks, baristas don't recycle milk jugs, cream cartons, plastic syrup containers, etc. Only cardboard. Almost all the waste going into the trash in recyclable. It's horrible. So why?


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