From our beginnings, Starbucks has always, and remains committed to, using our scale to positively impact the communities we serve around the world. 

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Since 2004, Starbucks has been implementing a climate change strategy that focuses on<a href="https://www.starbucks.com/responsibility/environment/water-and-energy"> renewable energy, energy conservation</a>, and climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. We will continue to be the world’s leading builder of green stores with more than <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/responsibility/environment/leed-certified-stores">1,200 LEED-certified stores</a> in 20 countries and the largest U.S. purchaser of <a href="https://news.starbucks.com/news/starbucks-renewable-energy-strategy">renewable energy</a> in our sector.

Our partners remain one of our most important assets in executing our climate change strategy. From our first “Green Team” created in 1994 to help identify environmental opportunities and solutions to our current Partners for Sustainability network of over 1,800 partners globally, our partners believe that sustainability is central to Starbucks. In response to partner requests for more sustainability programs, we created the <a href="https://ivx.video/greener-apron#/home">Greener Apron program</a>, an online sustainability education offered through our partnership with Arizona State University. To date, over 4,000 partners worldwide have signed up to learn how they can make a difference in their communities, stores and homes.

For decades Starbucks has invested in sustainable coffee production through open-source agronomy, <a href="https://1912pike.com/guest-post-conservation-international-talks-coffee-and-climate-change/">climate-smart agriculture</a> and a nearly 20-year partnership with Conservation International that has resulted in an industry-leading 99% ethically sourced coffee and the development of the <a href="https://news.starbucks.com/news/making-coffee-the-worlds-first-sustainably-sourced-agriculture-product">Sustainable Coffee Challenge</a>, a coalition dedicated to making coffee the world’s first sustainable agricultural product.

Starbucks remains committed to using our scale for good to positively impact communities. On Earth Day we released our latest set of ambitious goals that help us redefine the role and responsibility of a for-profit, public company. Making our products more recyclable, increasing our purchasing of renewable energy, and operating our stores greener than ever will have increasingly positive impacts on our carbon footprint. Starbucks will not waiver in its commitment to these initiatives.

From our beginnings, Starbucks has always, and remains committed to, using our scale to positively impact the communities we serve around the world.

Starbucks Commitment to a Sustainable Future

Stories to inspire and nurture the human spirit

Starbucks Stories

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Starbucks Corporation

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https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2017/starbucks-commitment-to-a-sustainable-future/

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For more than 30 years, Starbucks has been working to reduce the environmental impact of its paper cups, with teams of partners (employees) focused on addressing this challenge head-on. With more than 80 percent of cups leaving the stores with customers, the company is more committed than ever to make its cup recyclable.

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In 1997, the company launched a cup sleeve as an alternative to double-cupping to further reduce waste. This was followed by the 2006 move to hot cups made with 10 percent post-consumer recycled fiber, the first of its kind to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“We’ve tested various sustainable paper cups, but have yet to find one that meets our standards,” said Andy Corlett, Starbucks director, Packaging Solutions. “We’re actively looking for a high-quality paper cup that can hold our coffee and beverages.”

The recyclability of Starbucks® paper cup varies significantly by city, state and municipality and is based on recycling services that are offered. The company continues advocating to key policymakers to invest in these services to address this challenge.

Starbucks has even crowd-sourced the search for a solution – enlisting support from other companies and academics and hosting three Cup Summits, one at the company’s Seattle headquarters and two at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston. This resulted in a partnership with the Food Service Packaging Institute (FPI) to form the Paper Recovery Alliance (PRA), an industry coalition aimed at recycling and composting paper cups and other foodservice items across the U.S. and Canada.

“Today, there are limited locations for recycling our cup in curbside programs,” said Nicki McClung, Starbucks senior specialist for Global Responsibility. “Our work with FPI is growing those options, working with communities, recycling facilities and paper mills.”

“As a founding member of the PRA, Starbucks has shown its commitment to getting more paper cups recycled,” said FPI President Lynn Dyer. “Today, we are seeing a growing number of communities accepting paper cups for recycling, and that’s thanks, in part, to Starbucks.”

Inside a 200,000-foot product development center outside of Chicago, a 100-member team of designers, engineers and scientists assembled to invent a new hot cup lid for Starbucks. Five years later, the team had created a lid made with polypropylene, the first of its kind in the U.S.

“We started with a few sketches on paper and once our engineers had developed the ideal blend of polypropylene, we cut a series of prototypes for Starbucks review - one lid at a time until we arrived on the best size and shape,” said Frank Petlak, Commercial Director, Pactiv Foodservice. “Starbucks has a very thorough testing process. We supplemented this by conducting focus groups to make sure the new lid did not impact the coffee drinking experience for its customers.”

The change to polypropylene allows for the lid to be recycled in a growing number of U.S. markets. Distribution of the hot cup lid to all Starbucks stores in North America is in progress and expected to be complete by June 2017.

"This is a big step for us,” said McClung. “With the development of the new lid, we open up more recycling options for our packaging.”

“Starbucks investment in a recyclable lid is a big deal,” Petlak said. “There is already a big recycling stream for polypropylene in the U.S. This lid is going to have a positive impact on that stream and hopefully encourage other major retailers to follow suit.”

“We are proud to have partnered with Starbucks to develop its new polypropylene hot cup lid,” said Craig Glaser, Marketing Director, International Paper Foodservice Division, part of the team that worked alongside employees at Pactiv. “We look forward to future innovations with Starbucks and other companies that help protect our environment.”

Beyond recycling, Starbucks overall waste reduction strategy includes global efforts to encourage reusable cups, offering a discount to customers who bring in a personal tumbler. Each store also has “for-here” ware, for customers who would like to enjoy their orders while in store.

Four years ago, Starbucks launched a reusable cup and has sold more than 16 million units to date. The $2 reusable polypropylene cup, designed to look like the company’s paper cups, is sturdier than paper, but thinner than a typical tumbler with a lifespan of about 30 uses. Customers receive a dime discount for each refill in the cup, so it pays for itself after 20 uses.

The company annually shares its goals and progress in its <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/responsibility">Global Social Impact Report</a>. The 2016 Report will be released later this month.

Starbucks Continues its Quest for a Greener Cup - Starbucks Stories

Starbucks Continues its Quest for a Greener Cup

For more than 30 years, Starbucks has been working to reduce the environmental impact of its paper cups.With more than 80 percent of cups leaving the stores with customers, the company is more committed than ever to make its cup recyclable.

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2017/starbucks-continues-its-quest-for-a-greener-cup/

No retail company has pioneered more innovative benefits for full- and part-time employees. Starbucks benefits package is available to eligible partners (employees) who work at least 20 hours a week and includes comprehensive and affordable health insurance, a tuition-free college degree program, equity in the form of stock, paid parental leave, and more. 

<a href="https://globalassets.starbucks.com/assets/d92383f7c65c474bb2e3f6b7d0219d68.pdf">Our benefits</a> are reflective of our mission and commitment to be a different kind of company and put our people first. We consistently evolve our benefits based on ongoing conversations with our partners as we learn more about their different benefits needs and preferences. We want to always meet and exceed the expectations of our partners who make Starbucks successful and lead across our industry.

Our parental leave benefits exceed what most retailers provide full- or part-time workers. Unlike many retailers there is no tenure requirement beyond initial benefits eligibility, which is also industry leading at 90 days. Here are the details of our parental leave benefit:

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For more information about the history of Starbucks partner benefits, please review our <a href="https://news.starbucks.com/views/starbucks-commitment-to-partners">Starbucks Commitment to Partners</a>.

Starbucks Parental Leave Benefits - Starbucks Stories

Our full benefits package, which is always evolving based on ongoing conversations we have with partners, is reflective of our mission and commitment to be a different kind of company and put our people first, recognizing the different benefits needs that our partners have.

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2017/starbucks-to-expand-parental-leave-benefits/

Starbucks Parental Leave Benefits

As an American grown business, with stores in over 7,000 communities across our country, we are proud of the fact that our 150,000 partners (employees) reflect the diverse communities we serve. Inclusion and humanity are fundamental to who we are as a company and to how we approach our communities. We strive to be a place where everyone, from our partners to our customers, feels welcome and valued.

That is why I am writing in recognition of your work to support “Dreamers”, including those young men and women who are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. There are now close to three quarters of a million hardworking young women and men who are contributing to our communities and our economy because of that program. They represent the values of hard work, patriotism and hope that define America. At Starbucks, we are proud to call them our partners. 

Our DACA partners are going to school, taking care of their families, and working toward realizing their own American dream. Our goal is that they feel as welcome and included as any other partner and we strive to provide them the same opportunities. That is why we reimburse them for the biennial fee they must pay to stay in the program and why we have offered DACA related services at our Opportunity Youth fairs. Still, we know this population faces many barriers, even with DACA. For example, legal impediments prohibit our DACA partners from taking advantage of our college tuition program with Arizona State University. It is thus critical that we voice our support and concern for these special young women and men. Without the ability to lawfully live and work in this country, hundreds of thousands of patriotic young people will be pushed back underground, unable to serve their communities, our economy and, most importantly, their own futures. 

We experienced a long and sometimes divisive election; that does not need to define us going forward. Now is the moment to remember what unites us as Americans, including the belief that all people should be treated with dignity and humanity. Dreamers deserve no less. They were brought as children to our country by immigrants determined to give their children a better life, like generations of immigrants before them. As one Dreamer college student said, “I’m thankful for what this country gave me.” We should celebrate and honor that belief, and their enduring courage, by ensuring that Dreamers, including our partners, may live, work, and dream in the country they call home.

I am writing in recognition of your work to support “Dreamers”, including those young men and women who are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Letter from Howard Schultz to Senators Graham and Durbin

Letter from Howard Schultz to U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Durbin

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2017/letter-from-howard-schultz-to-senators-lindsey-graham-and-richard-durbin/

Starbucks chairman and ceo Howard Schultz sent the following message to partners (employees) on July 8.

I write you today in the wake of yet another series of tragedies paralyzing our country. As I woke up each morning this week to the all too familiar news of senseless violence and the faces of grieving family members, I couldn’t help but think about how common these events have become.

I have been searching for words to provide some comfort and assurance that this will end. But I remain at a loss. 

As we all try to find some sort of normalcy in our day-to-day lives amidst these tragedies, I can only hope that, as partners, we continue take care of one another and remain in pursuit of greater unity and humanity. As I have said before, let’s all strive to choose compassion and courage, not only in times of crisis, but every day.

Choosing Compassion and Courage - Starbucks Stories

As we all try to find some sort of normalcy in our day-to-day lives amidst these tragedies, I can only hope that, as partners, we continue take care of one another and remain in pursuit of greater unity and humanity.

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2016/a-message-from-howard-schultz-on-choosing-compassion-and-courage/

Choosing Compassion and Courage

Following the Brexit vote, Starbucks chairman and ceo Howard Schultz sent the following letter to all partners (employees) on June 24, 2016.

Last night’s vote to leave the European Union was a historic moment for the UK and the world. The long-term ramifications of the vote's "leave" outcome will not be known for months or possibly years, but today the collective emotional toll is very real: Some people, customers, partners, friends and family are embracing the results, feeling optimistic, while others are disappointed, even angry, and feeling anxious about their future.

Amid the inevitable uncertainty, our own goals remain clear: Today, Starbucks leadership, together with our UK and EMEA leadership team, want to assure all Starbucks partners that we are completely committed to the UK market. Our European headquarters is in the UK, and it is our largest market across the whole of the region. In fact, the UK remains one of our very top global markets. To reiterate what has already been communicated to our UK partners earlier today, we’re in the UK for the long game. The UK is a vital part of our business and we are 100 percent focused on our growth strategy and continuing the momentum we’ve built in our UK market. As we often say, we have never been more optimistic about our future in the UK and in Europe.

The UK, of course, is not the only source of uncertainty. The incivility of the U.S. election process, slowing economic growth, worldwide political instability, in addition to the ongoing shadow of global terror, also color the mood of consumers everywhere and impact events here at home. I believe we must do all we can to rise above the noise and go back to the core of what we at Starbucks believe is most important for our long-term success.

Our beliefs and commitment to respect, inclusion and diversity must remain steadfast. Never have Our Mission and Values been more important. We have always celebrated our differences, and we will continue to respect and honor each other as partners and customers and as people. Regardless of where you are from or what you believe, honoring our shared humanity is a hallmark of our culture. 

In these times, we also have a responsibility not to be bystanders, but rather, to be upstanders and to act in ways that can ease the collective anxiety inside and outside the company. Let’s do everything we can to empathize with our customers’ and one another’s concerns and aspirations. Starbucks role as a source of familiar comfort and supportive community is most important during times of inevitable change in the world beyond our stores. 

And, as we look ahead, my confidence in our own aspiration and collective success have never been greater. We recently completed our five-year strategic plan with the Starbucks Board of Directors. Within that plan, I’m pleased to report that there are key initiatives and investments in our people and our business, as we continue to put our partners at the center of all that we do. 

From time to time, challenges will emerge – just like the moment in which we now find ourselves – and how we choose to lead during these uncertain times is critical for our future. Let’s continue to stay true to our principles and take nothing for granted. Given our learning, experience and recent performance, I am incredibly optimistic about the future of our company and the opportunities ahead. We’ve proven more than once that Starbucks can determine its own destiny, regardless of external circumstances. And this moment in time is no different.

Thank you for understanding this environment and for all you do every day to serve our customers and connect with one another. 

Leading in Uncertain Times - Starbucks Stories

Amid the inevitable uncertainty, our own goals remain clear: Today, Starbucks leadership, together with our UK and EMEA leadership team, want to assure all Starbucks partners that we are completely committed to the UK market.

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2016/leading-in-uncertain-times/

Leading in Uncertain Times

Starbucks is aware the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) updated classifications to coffee. To evaluate any research on the health benefits or risks of coffee consumption, we work closely with the <a href="http://www.ncausa.org/Newsroom">National Coffee Association (NCA)</a>.

The NCA is a trusted resource for <a href="http://www.ncausa.org/Portals/56/NCA%20Release%20-%20IARC%20Report%20-%20FINAL.pdf?ver=2016-06-15-085628-547">current research and studies on coffee health</a>, their website at <a href="http://www.ncausa.org/">NCAUSA.org</a> is a great resource for information on coffee.

Update on the Health Benefits of Coffee - Starbucks Stories

Starbucks is aware the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) updated classifications to coffee. To evaluate any research on the health benefits or risks of coffee consumption, we work closely with the National Coffee Association (NCA).

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2016/news-on-the-health-benefits-of-coffee/

Update on the Health Benefits of Coffee

Lucy Helm – Starbucks evp, general counsel and secretary, Law &amp; Corporate Affairs and chair of the Starbucks Inclusion Council – shared the following letter with all partners (employees) on May 9, 2016.

Across the U.S., we are witnessing the introduction of local and state legislation condoning discriminatory treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons. As partners, we share the same concerns about the impact this legislation has on the lives of our fellow partners and our customers. 

At Starbucks, our Mission and Values are at the heart of everything we do. We treat each other with respect and dignity, and we embrace diversity and inclusion in order to create a place where each of us can be ourselves. Discrimination of any kind has no place in our company. As reflected in our Global Human Rights Statement, "Starbucks is committed to support and uphold the provision of basic human rights and to eliminate discriminatory practices."

Consistent with our Mission and Values, and our long-standing policies and principles, Starbucks opposes any legislation or other similar policy initiatives at the municipal, state or national level that would have a discriminatory impact. This includes recent legislation that discriminates against the LGBT community, as stated in a recent letter released by the Human Rights Campaign and Equality North Carolina and signed by numerous CEOs, including Howard Schultz. In our stores, we continue to welcome partners and customers to use Starbucks facilities that correspond to their gender identity. In addition, we are looking into opportunities to have more gender-neutral signage in our restrooms.

We have always believed in equal treatment of all individuals and have a long history and commitment to our LGBT partners, including those who are transgender or transitioning. 

From our very earliest days, we have strived to create a company and culture that treats everyone – partners and customers alike – with respect and dignity. We will continue to champion these values and to stand for our partners, our customers and our communities.

Starbucks Commitment to Inclusion - Starbucks Stories

At Starbucks, our Mission and Values are at the heart of everything we do. We treat each other with respect and dignity, and we embrace diversity and inclusion in order to create a place where each of us can be ourselves. Discrimination of any kind has no place in our company.

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2016/starbucks-commitment-to-inclusion/

Starbucks Commitment to Inclusion

Our partners represent different backgrounds, cultures, experiences, religious affiliations, political views, thoughts and ideas. It is the inclusion of our partners’ diverse experiences and perspectives that create a culture of empowerment, one that fosters innovation, economic growth and new ideas. It is a culture of partners who want to make a positive difference – within our company as well as outside our stores.

At Starbucks, the opportunity to nurture and inspire the human spirit is, for so many of us, what the iconic green apron represents. We have a history of elevating our voices, sharing our aspirations and our concerns, and asking ourselves, “What is our role and responsibility as a for-profit company, and as citizens in a wider world?”

At recent <a href="https://news.starbucks.com/news/Starbucks-Partner-Open-Forums-on-Citizenship">Starbucks Partner Open Forums</a> in the U.S., China, and India and across our social platforms, our partners have shared their dreams and their worries, including inequality, homelessness, access to education, safety, food donation and frustration with local and national governments. The concerns raised go beyond what is good for our company to what is needed in our communities and countries.

These are not only the voices of Starbucks partners, but they are the voices of citizens as well. Citizens who care about their neighbors, not just their customers. Citizens who see complex problems, and care enough to find solutions. Citizens who refuse to be bystanders. 

For decades Starbucks has created meaningful connections with our customers and communities. More recently, in partnership with like-minded organizations, we’ve come up with creative solutions to open doors for veterans, Opportunity Youth, and students seeking debt-free college degrees. 

Most recently we, along with Marriot International, the Boys &amp; Girls Club of America, and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, demonstrated <a href="https://news.starbucks.com/views/bpc-leading-national-effort-to-improve-the-electoral-process">our support of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s initiative</a> to improve the voter experience for all Americans.

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This is not the first time Starbucks has addressed voting. In 2012, we celebrated National Voter Registration Day by providing our partners a way to register using a digital tool. In 2008 we raised awareness of Election Day with customers in our stores. But given that fewer that 60 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in the 2012 national elections, helping to increase voter turnout at the local and national level seems another meaningful way to use our scale for good. So, we will.

It does not matter if a ballot is cast for a Republican, a Democrat, or an Independent, for a local city council seat or for the 45th President of the United States. This is not about pushing a particular political agenda or candidate. And it is about far more than just the 2016 election. Our intention is nonpartisan, and it is simple: by helping to increase voter registration and participation, we believe more people will have an opportunity to make their voices heard.

We will not stop here. Promoting the importance of voting is but one way to elevate citizenship. Civic engagement and community service are also essential, and Starbucks is also in a unique position to positively affect these areas. And we will continue to encourage corporations, non-profits and other enterprises to consider what they can do to responsibly promote civic engagement as well. Soon, we will have more initiatives to share. 

Starbucks Encourages Civic Engagement - Starbucks Stories

Embarking on a multi-year effort to strengthen our democracy, Starbucks is making a digital tool from Turbovote accessible to all partners in the U.S. This tool makes registering to vote fast and secure from computers and mobile devices. Through Turbovote, anyone who is eligible to vote in the U.S. can register to vote and sign up for important reminders to stay engaged in local and national elections throughout the year.

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2016/starbucks-encourages-civic-engagement/

Starbucks Encourages Civic Engagement

“A nation, as a society, forms a moral person, and every member of it is personally responsible for his society." — Thomas Jefferson

Washington, D.C. – Roughly a year from now, our nation will inaugurate the 45th president of the United States. Our democracy confers great authority to our president, but this power flows from the people and relies on active civic engagement. Today, the <a href="http://bipartisanpolicy.org/">Bipartisan Policy Center</a> announces a nationwide initiative to strengthen our election process. In concert with leading national employers, nonprofit organizations, and government officials, BPC is announcing an effort to encourage employees to register, to vote, and to work as volunteers at polling places.

Starbucks, Marriott International, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce join BPC in launching this effort. BPC will be providing guiding principles for participating organizations and technical support to connect organizations with local election administrators.

“We’re pleased to partner with BPC on this important initiative. Marriott was founded 89 years ago in our nation’s capital, so encouraging associates to be involved in the democratic process has long been part of our culture,” said Marriott International President and CEO Arne Sorenson. “We’re proud of our history of supporting civic engagement and election volunteerism and look forward to sharing best practices and learning from others to foster a more active electorate.” 

In the 2012 election, fewer than 60 percent of eligible voters cast ballots. Compounding the problem, mail-in registration forms and inadequate staffing and support at polling places present burdens even for those who try to participate. The <a href="http://www.supportthevoter.gov/">Presidential Commission on Election Administration</a> (PCEA), led by Ben Ginsberg and Bob Bauer, was created as a bipartisan effort to improve the voting experience. Ginsberg and Bauer were instrumental in drafting the principles BPC is releasing today and will remain involved in this effort through its duration.

“As the Presidential Commission on Election Administration recommended, employers can play an important role improving professionalism in the administration of American elections,” said PCEA co-chairs Ginsberg and Bauer. “We are delighted to see leading institutions encourage their employees to volunteer at polling places and support the democratic process.”

“Our democracy suffers if only half the eligible voters participate in national elections,” said former Senator Olympia Snowe, a co-chair of BPC’s Commission on Political Reform, which advocates for greater voter engagement. “BPC is thrilled to be joining with major companies and great institutions to encourage participation in the democratic process.”

Participating organizations see this effort to engage their employees in the voting process, through registering, voting, and volunteering as poll workers, as a natural extension of their commitments to engaging in the community.

"Serving nearly 4 million youth annually, Boys &amp; Girls Clubs enable young people to reach their full potential and achieve great futures," said Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of America President and CEO Jim Clark. "Through our good character and citizenship programs, Clubs help young people acquire skills to participate in the democratic process. We encourage all Clubs, including staff and volunteers, to get involved in their local communities."

“Today there are 27.3 million Hispanics eligible to vote in this nation—making up a record-high 12% of all U.S voters. Concurrently, there are 4.1 million Hispanic-owned businesses contributing to the American economy,” said Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Javier Palomarez. “It is important now, more than ever, that our community effectively participates in the political process. The USHCC is proud that this initiative will help more enterprises and institutions do their part to encourage their employees, and others, to become engaged and help restore a healthy democracy.”

Quotes from Participating Organizations and Elected Officials

“Voting is a right, a privilege, a freedom and occasionally a hassle,” said Bipartisan Policy Center President Jason Grumet. “BPC is thrilled to be working with leading corporate and nonprofit organizations to improve our election process and make voting easier for their employees, customers and communities.”

“Increased civic engagement is the solution to many of America’s pressing problems,” said former Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman, a co-chair of BPC’s Commission on Political Reform. “The more citizens are encouraged to get involved, the more likely they will trust the election process. The leadership of our corporate and nonprofit partners is a major step towards improving our political system and creating a sense of community.”

“The election officials of America should welcome the creative, powerful and forward-looking strategies the Bipartisan Policy Center is launching,” said Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman, who has spent most of her adult life in election administration and working on reforms at the county, state and national level. “It is the job of all of us to work tirelessly to remove barriers, promote civility, and encourage people to vote and get engaged in democracy. We are a better nation when that happens. We desperately need better civic dialogue and involvement by each and every qualified voter.”

Companies to encourage employees to register, vote, and volunteer as poll workers.

BPC Leading National Effort to Improve the Electoral Process

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2016/bpc-leading-national-effort-to-improve-the-electoral-process/

Starbucks takes the social and environmental conditions on coffee farms very seriously and that’s one of the reasons we developed C.A.F.E. Practices in partnership with Conservation International over 10 years ago.

Our comprehensive approach includes regularly auditing farms in our supply chain with third party verification organizations that have been vetted by SCS Global Services to ensure our sourcing standards are being met. When information is brought to our attention regarding zero tolerance practices on any coffee farms that Starbucks sources from, we immediately conduct the necessary investigations and take appropriate actions. This includes requesting a written commitment to correct the issue and the development of a work plan describing how the issue will be corrected. Implementation of the work plan and correction of the zero tolerance is then evaluated by a third party verification organization. 

This process ensures that any issues are addressed immediately in addition to offering the farm and supplier the opportunity to implement the expected environmental, social and economic conditions when growing our coffee. This model of continuous improvement is necessary in order to demonstrate the impact good farming, living and financial conditions can have on the overall health of the farming communities so that they can prosper, long-term.

Carmo Coffee has a supply chain participating in C.A.F.E. Practices which was last audited between May – June 2015, however Starbucks has not purchased or received coffee from the two farms mentioned in your questionnaire and they are no longer in the Carmo Coffee supply chain. 

Cooxupe has a supply chain participating in C.A.F.E. Practices which was last audited between June – September 2015, however Coffee from the specific farm referred to in your questionnaire has not been included in any shipments to Starbucks. We have once again deployed third party verifiers to this supply chain in order to evaluate current conditions and ensure compliance to our standards before making any purchasing decisions.

Because Starbucks sources 99% of its coffee through C.A.F.E. Practices we know the names of all farms that may potentially supply to Starbucks. 

We believe the standards set forth by C.A.F.E. Practices are aligned with the mission and principles of the National Pact and Starbucks Coffee Company commitment to 100% participation in the program demonstrate our support and action. 

Starbucks Response to Sourcing Questions in Brazil - Starbucks Stories

Starbucks Response to Sourcing Questions in Brazil

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2016/starbucks-response-to-sourcing-questions-in-brazil/

Starbucks shares the concern with NGO’s and activists that because tropical forests are being cleared for oil palm cultivation, destroying habitat and biodiversity and impacting communities, more must be done. Although Starbucks is a comparatively minor purchaser of RSPO Palm Oil (.009% of the world’s supply and would rank 65th of 100 companies that are publicly reporting), we believe it is important for our company, suppliers and the industry to work together to address environmental and social impacts.

With a 40-year effort to ethically and sustainably source coffee, Starbucks has – through implementation of our Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) practices – helped farmers increase their yields without encroaching or destroying forests land (<a href="http://www.conservation.org/publications/Documents/Starbucks_Ethical_Sourcing_Factsheet_2008_2010.pdf">Conservation International Executive Summary of Starbucks Ethical Coffee</a>).

Starbucks is committed to sourcing deforestation free, peat free, and exploitation free palm oil. This approach is consistent with our C.A.F.E. and Cocoa Practices programs, and is a stronger focus on preserving high carbon stock and remaining peat areas and managing existing plantations on peat according to best practices. As members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), we are engaging the organization and other industry stakeholders regarding sustainable production practices and support efforts.

To further demonstrate this commitment and encourage greater transparency, Starbucks will begin publicly reporting total tons of RSPO palm oil purchased through the RSPO’s <a href="http://www.rspo.org/members/acop">Annual Communication of Progress</a> (ACOP) reporting mechanism in February. Starbucks will also announce, along with other sustainability and ethical sourcing commitments for 2020, a timeline for achieving our zero deforestation commitment in company owned, licensed and joint venture stores globally.

Since making our commitment in 2013, we have worked with suppliers to ensure they use only RSPO certified palm oil for Starbucks-branded products in company-owned stores globally by the end of 2015. We are now in the process of working with our licensed and joint-venture partners to encourage them to adopt this same commitment. Only palm oil with a traceability level of Mass Balance, Segregation, or stronger is acceptable. GreenPalm Certificates are not accepted as they do not provide supply chain traceability.

July: Make commitment to use only Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certified palm oil from Mass Balance or Segregation traceability systems for Starbucks branded products in company operated stores. Follow best practices established by major purchasers and the traceability they provide, we require suppliers to use RSPO certified palm oil from Mass Balance and Segregation systems. Determine that because GreenPalm Certificates do not provide traceability, they do not meet Starbucks transparency criteria.

April: Join RSPO Roundtable, the only recognized certification for responsibly sourced palm oil, and support efforts to improve industry standards.

June: Join 15 likeminded companies, investors and NGOs to become a signatory of the <a href="http://greencentury.com/investors-major-brands-call-for-stronger-standards-from-palm-oil-certification-group/">Green Century letter</a> which calls on RSPO to deepen and broaden its work on traceability and community impacts.

July: Expand Palm Oil Policy to include our zero-tolerance approach to deforestation, preserving high carbon stock and peat areas.

January: Consistent with Starbucks initial publically-stated commitment, we will report on our progress toward our 100% goal through RSPO’s Annual Communications of Progress reporting process.

March: Announce a time-bound commitment to extend our palm oil policy beyond company-owned stores as part of Starbucks Global Responsibility 2020 Goals.

Starbucks and Sustainable Palm Oil - Starbucks Stories

Starbucks shares the concern with NGO’s and activists that because tropical forests are being cleared for oil palm cultivation, destroying habitat and biodiversity and impacting communities, more must be done.

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2016/starbucks-policy-on-palm-oil/

Starbucks and Sustainable Palm Oil

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