Starbucks [SBUX:US] has announced a pathbreaking initiative to allow customers to use personal, reusable cups at all company-operated stores and participating licensed stores in the US and Canada, in an effort to reduce its waste output, as reported by CNN on January 3. The reusable cup option is now available for both drive-thru and Starbucks app orders. Specifically, customers can bring their own clean mugs (no larger than 40 ounces), which will be collected by the barista using a contactless vessel to ensure hygiene and safety. This option marks a milestone move, as Starbucks had previously limited the option to in-person cafe orders since 1985. Notably, drive-thru and app orders now together account for about 70% of sales at Starbucks’ stores in the US.

The move makes Starbucks the first US national coffee retailer to accept reusable cups for mobile and drive-thru orders. It also supports the company’s circular economy target set in 2020, namely reducing waste sent to landfill from stores and manufacturing by 50% by 2030. Starbucks’ traditional hot cups are made of both plastic and paper, making them difficult to recycle. Therefore, the shift to personal cups presents a significant potential to curb the consumption of single-use plastics. Furthermore, the company has also introduced a goal for 2025, aiming to provide customers worldwide with access to a reusable cup option for every order.

Sources:

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/03/food/starbucks-reusable-cup-expansion/index.html

https://www.esgtoday.com/starbucks-enables-customers-to-use-reusable-cups-for-drive-thru-and-mobile-orders/

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2024/starbucks-becomes-first-national-coffee-retailer-to-accept-reusable-cups-for-drive-thru-and-mobile-orders/

https://www.wastedive.com/news/starbucks-waste-goals-2030-landfill-diversion-single-use-plastics/570810/