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Starbucks will be getting rid of its logo-emblazoned paper and clear plastic cups used for its hot and cold drinks. They are considered iconic as people can instantly recognize the coffee chain's brand through these containers with the distinct and vivid SB emblem.
Starbucks is decided to phase out these cups because they are disposables that can easily fill up landfills after they are used and thrown away. Some even end up in streets as unsightly litter and can contribute to blockage of waterways as well.
Although some users may recycle the cups, the company said that recycling is good, but it is not a perfect option because some recyclable items will still eventually go to landfills.
"Our cup is ubiquitous and we love that but it is also this ubiquitous symbol of a throwaway society," CNN Business quoted Starbucks' chief sustainability officer, Michael Kobori, as saying.
He said that the best solution is to discard the disposable cups and call this option "the holy grail." in three years, Starbucks would like all its customers to bring their own mugs or borrow a reusable mug from the store and return it later.
The coffee chain will have to launch a borrow-a-mug program for this and would require a deposit from customers. Starbucks will slowly begin the elimination of its disposable cups by the end of next year by allowing customers to use their own mugs when buying drinks in the store.
This plan is set to be implemented by the company in outlets across the United States and Canada. It was said that the personal mugs can also be used in advance order arrangements or drive-thrus.
Since last year, Starbucks started testing returnable mugs through borrow-a-cup programs as it is also aiming for sustainability. Amelia Landers, Starbucks' vice president of product innovation, said that they are expecting this scheme will be followed and stick with customers compared to their other sustainability models.
"I think that will take the lead and we are testing a number of different programs around the globe including 20 different iterations and in eight different markets," she said. "We developed a new cup that had a very low environmental footprint, was lightweight polypropylene, ultimately recyclable and could replace 100 single-use disposable cups."
