Starbucks, Alliance for Environmental Innovation Release Report Regarding Environmental Impacts Of Serving Coffee

(26 May, 2000 — Seattle) Starbucks and the Alliance for Environmental Innovation today released the results of a partnership that began in August 1996 to reduce the environmental impacts of serving coffee in Starbucks retail locations.

Research was conducted on three initiatives: increasing the use of reusable in-store serveware in retail locations; increasing the use of carryout tumblers and commuter mugs; and developing a new disposable hot-cup as an environmentally preferable solution to double-cupping.

The partnership:

Verified the environmental and financial benefits of reusable cups and glasses;
Developed and tested a new, environmentally preferable hot cup;
Demonstrated customer interest in and preference for cups with environmental attributes;
Paved the way for other environmental initiatives at Starbucks.
Consumers interested in seeing a copy of the report can view a report summary or download the report (263k pdf, requires Adobe Acrobat).

The Alliance for Environmental Innovation (the Alliance) is a joint initiative of Environmental Defense and The Pew Charitable Trusts. The Alliance works cooperatively with businesses to reduce waste and build environmental considerations into business decisions. By bringing the expertise and perspective of environmental scientists and economists together with the business skills of leading companies, the Alliance creates environmental solutions that make business sense.

Starbucks Coffee Company is the leading retailer, roaster and brand of specialty coffee in the world. In addition to its more than 2,800 retail locations in North America, the United Kingdom, the Pacific Rim and the Middle East, Starbucks sells coffee and tea products through its specialty operations, including its online store at Starbucks.com. Additionally Starbucks produces and sells bottled Frappuccinoâ coffee drink and a line of superpremium ice creams through its joint venture partnerships and offers a line of innovative premium teas produced by its wholly owned subsidiary, Tazo Tea Company.