New round of investments, part of collective private and public sector collaboration, is a major step to scale innovative solutions to advance water access and reduce waste sent to landfill&nbsp;

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Ahead of its 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Starbucks announced over $50 million in planned investments to advance its ambitious target to cut its water and waste footprints in half by 2030.

“At Starbucks, it’s our role and responsibility to protect our planet and give back more than we take. These investments will help us make significant strides toward our sustainability commitments while building a business that scales for good and is driven by innovation,” said Starbucks executive vice president of global coffee, social impact and sustainability, Michelle Burns.

Driven by the passion of its partners, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2021/starbucks-expands-commitment-to-water-and-outlines-comprehensive-strategy/">Starbucks is committed to building a more equitable, resilient and sustainable</a> future for communities and the planet. This latest round of investments showcases the power of collective impact across sectors and Starbucks role as an industry-wide model for how thoughtful partnerships can drive environmental stewardship and long-term business goals.

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Mexico: Subsidized water delivery allows Gloria and her husband to have regular access to affordable water for drinking, bathing, cleaning, and growing fresh food in their garden. (Photo credit: Water.org)

Building a Water Positive Future

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At present, two billion people around the world are living in water-stressed areas. Investing in water and climate projects can be a solution for advancing equity and human rights, alleviating the impacts of climate change and securing resilient supply chains.

In support of our expanded water commitment of 50% of water withdrawal conserved or replenished across our direct operations, stores, packaging and agricultural supply chain by 2030, Starbucks has committed to prioritize action in high-risk basins through collective action and support watershed health, ecosystem resilience and water equity.

To achieve this target, Starbucks is leveraging its global reach and partnering with other leading companies who are members of the United Nations Water Resilience Coalition and the public sector to unlock critical capital for making progress against UN SDG 6. Starbucks <a href="https://unglobalcompact.org/news/5046-03-16-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced an initial anchor investment of up to $25 million into WaterEquity’s Global Access Fund IV</a> in partnership with other corporate peers and the United States International Development Finance Corporation. Through such an investment, Starbucks is helping lead the way in an innovative approach to water stewardship with the hope of catalyzing additional companies to invest in water action. Starbucks is exploring additional investments that would bring our total investment intended to advance water access, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) to $50 million.

Starbucks recent investment with WaterEquity will support improvements in water access and quality for low-income populations in countries across South and Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America through microfinance loans for the purchase of WASH products and services such as household toilets, water filters and tap connections. Innovative investments like this build on The Starbucks Foundation’s long history of investments in WASH around the world and help meet the company’s new commitment to enhance WASH for 5 million people. The company is complementing its investments with ongoing programmatic work in high-risk basins with leading NGO partners including WWF, TNC, Water.org and WaterAid.

Brazil: Since getting access to safe water at home, Cirliane can spend her time baking cakes to sell rather than walk to collect water. (Photo credit: Water.org)

Investing in a Circular Economy

In another key step to reduce its environmental impact and bolster a more robust recycling industry, Starbucks <a href="https://www.closedlooppartners.com/global-corporations-join-brookfield-to-invest-nearly-a-billion-dollars-in-closed-loop-partners-operating-company-circular-services-the-leading-developer-of-circular-economy-infrastructure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced a $10 million investment in Circular Services</a> to reduce landfill waste and drive innovative efforts to shift towards a circular economy in the United States.

Circular Services is the largest privately held recycling company in the United States, and Starbucks investment will support their work helping U.S. municipalities and businesses reduce the amount of valuable recyclable material sent to landfill. Circular Services uses advanced technology to improve sortation, processing and reuse of valuable commodities, including consumer packaging, organics, textiles, electronics and more, for continual reuse in domestic supply chains.

This investment will not only bring recycling access to Starbucks stores, but also creates a partnership with leading waste industry stakeholders to collaborate on recycling solutions for packaging types with limited access to recycling programs such as Starbucks hot cup.

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Sims Municipal Recycling (SMR), a Closed Loop Partners investment, produces hundreds of thousands of tons of recycled metals, plastics, paper and glass for sale to mills, smelters, refiners, re-claimers and secondary material processors. (Photo credit: Michael Anton | Sims Municipal Recycling)

“Now is the time for bold action to transform the recycling infrastructure in the U.S. Starbucks is excited to join with Microsoft, Nestle, PepsiCo, SK Group, Unilever, Brookfield and the Partnership Fund for New York City to help generate nearly a billion-dollar investment in Circular Services. This builds upon our long-standing work with Closed Loop Partners, whose NextGen Consortium has made significant strides in advancing sustainable packaging, including bringing hot cup recycling to more communities,” said Starbucks chief sustainability officer, Michael Kobori.

Starbucks investment is part of a collaborative collective including Microsoft, Nestlé, PepsiCo, SK Group, Unilever and Brookfield Renewable, all working to scale circular economy infrastructure with a goal of catalyzing further corporate capital and accelerating growth of innovative partners that will champion the circular economy of the future.

As we look to the future, we are challenging ourselves to think bigger and do much more in partnership with others to take care of the planet we share. With the help of our partners, customers, industry experts and advocates, we are innovating – testing, learning and scaling – new ways to help protect our planet.

Ahead of its 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Starbucks announced planned investments to advance its ambitious target to cut its water and waste footprints in half by 2030.

Starbucks Commits Over $50 Million to Sustainable Waste and Water Funds Toward a Resource-Positive Future

Stories to inspire and nurture the human spirit

Starbucks Stories

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The coffee you order helps support our commitment to farmers and their communities. From donating disease-resistant coffee trees to investing in sustainable agricultural practices and conserving water in coffee processing, we’re working to empower communities and improve livelihoods.

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The Starbucks approach to ethical sourcing

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A collage of three images: On the left, a closeup of a basket of red coffee cherries with people's hands picking them up. In the center, a male Starbucks barista handing a ceramic cup of coffee to a customer. On the right, a female coffee farmer in Brazil standing in a field of coffee trees wearing a hat and red plaid shirt.

From donating disease-resistant coffee trees to investing in sustainable agricultural practices, we’re working to empower communities.

Uplifting communities with every cup

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From donating disease-resistant coffee trees to investing in sustainable agricultural practices and conserving water in coffee processing, we’re working to empower communities and improve livelihoods.

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As part of our planet positive commitment, we’re eliminating single-use cups in our Seattle office’s Starbucks café

We set a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/starbucks-solidifies-pathway-to-a-planet-positive-future/">bold aspiration</a> to become a resource positive company – to store more carbon than we emit, to eliminate waste, and to conserve and replenish more freshwater than we use. This aspiration included setting ambitious targets to cut our carbon, water and waste footprints in half by 2030. Making it easier for customers to use reusable cups is one part of our plan to reduce single-use cup waste. At SODO 8, the Starbucks café located in Starbucks Seattle office, we are leading the way by eliminating single-use cups—100% of beverages served will be in reusable cups.

Introducing the SODO 8 Reusable Cup Program

All beverages served in SODO 8 will now be provided in a reusable cup, helping to eliminate the single-use cups that are sent to landfill. Customers have the option of bringing their own cup or participating in the Borrow-a-Cup program.

The Borrow-a-Cup program works as follows:

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These reusable cups are suitable for both hot and cold drinks, and are available in Tall, Grande and Venti sizes. Not only are these cups 100% recyclable, but due to the innovative material, they do not require a cardboard sleeve, further reducing waste.

Why is Borrow-a-Cup at SODO 8? SODO 8’s unique location in the Starbucks Seattle office is a great way for us to live our values and for us to get rapid feedback so that we can make changes to improve the program. The Borrow-a-Cup program helps reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill while maintaining the Starbucks Experience that our customers expect. By 2030, we anticipate reducing our landfill waste by 50%.

Is Borrow-a-Cup a test? While the program is a test, Borrow-a-Cup is anticipated to be a permanent feature at the SODO 8 store. We’re interested in feedback from store partners (employees) about how well Borrow-a-Cup fits into existing operations and what adjustments are required. We are also eager to learn about customer habits and opinions about the cup itself, such as: How quickly are they returned? Do customers rinse the cups prior to return? Do they enjoy drinking from the cup? We are also testing the impact on operations of retaining an external company to sanitize the cups offsite.

When will Borrow-a-Cup be available across the country? The program is still in its early stages while we refine the process. So far, Borrow-a-Cup is only being tested in a few Starbucks locations around the world. Meanwhile, customers may bring clean, personal cups to our cafés and receive a discount on their beverage.

How are the cups cleaned? Once the cups are returned to the store, they are commercially washed and sanitized to Starbucks high standards. They are then visually inspected for a final check.

Find out more about our planet positive commitments to cut our carbon, water and waste footprints in half by 2030.

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As part of our planet positive commitment, we’re eliminating single-use cups in our Seattle office’s Starbucks café.

Starbucks Launches Innovative 100% Reusable Cup Program Inside Seattle HQ

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Today, Starbucks is launching a collaborative effort with dairy farmers and <a href="https://www.nature.org/en-us/">The Nature Conservancy</a> to help refine and scale an approach to sustainable dairy and environmental stewardship for the betterment of people, planet and animals.

Supporting the long-term health of the dairy industry is the latest effort in Starbucks <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/starbucks-solidifies-pathway-to-a-planet-positive-future/">commitment to a resource positive future</a> – giving more than we take from the planet.

Since Starbucks introduced its first handcrafted beverage, the Caffè Latte, in 1984, cow’s milk has been an integral ingredient for the company. And while Starbucks will continue to expand <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/plant-based-menu-innovation-at-starbucks/">plant-based menu options</a>, dairy is part of more than half of Starbucks core beverage offerings.

At the same time, dairy is the biggest contributor to Starbucks carbon footprint and the second highest contributor to water withdrawal. To reach our planet positive goals, we must innovate and work with others to source dairy responsibly and sustainably.

“As a company that works with and relies on the farming community every day, it’s our responsibility to help drive solutions that support both people and our planet,” said Kelly Bengston, Starbucks Chief Procurement Officer. “We hope to combine the best knowledge and resources to help farmers increase their productivity, quality and profitability while decreasing their environmental footprint. More than anything, our success depends on how we work together.”

Collaborating with farmers to support a sustainable future is <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/building-a-sustainable-future-for-coffee-together/">work we’ve done before</a>. In 2004, Starbucks introduced <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/cafe-practices-starbucks-approach-to-ethically-sourcing-coffee/">Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices</a>, Starbucks approach to ethical sourcing. Developed with Conservation International, these guidelines provide comprehensive social, environmental, and economic criteria that if followed, can help sustain and strengthen communities that grow coffee while maintaining Starbucks high-quality standards, now and into the future.

Just as with our coffee, Starbucks goal is for the dairy we buy to be produced under high quality, sustainable and responsible practices. With the same collaborative spirit that inspired our C.A.F.E. Practices nearly two decades ago, Starbucks will learn from and work with dairy farmers and The Nature Conservancy to refine and scale our collaborative approach.

“Starbucks and The Nature Conservancy have a shared commitment to a more regenerative, lower-emission dairy industry,” says Stewart Lindsay, Managing Director, Corporate Engagement at The Nature Conservancy. “Starbucks has set compelling goals, and we look forward to working with the company, with producers, and with other partners to achieve better outcomes for people, animals, and the planet.”

The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit that has grown to reach 75 countries and territories. Their team consists of more than 400 scientists on staff dedicated to addressing our planet’s biggest challenges: climate change and biodiversity loss. They have a long history of working with the agriculture industry – from farmers to ranchers – to advance conservation and promote climate and water smart practices.

Read on for an at-a-glance look at milestones in Starbucks journey to sustainable dairy:

Launches our first on-farm pilot through U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative with Alliance Dairy, a farm that is woman-owned and operated, and has a strong record of sustainability, including water reuse and converting methane into biogas. Alliance Dairy was an early adopter and has been producing renewable energy from manure since 2012. As part of this pilot, a full suite of technologies, like evaporative nutrient recovery, will be explored with the goal of helping Alliance Dairy to become a source of renewable and organic fertilizer and water reuse, while significantly reducing GHG emissions.

Begins work with Agolin in the U.S. to source milk from cows fed Agolin Ruminant, a plant-based feed additive certified by the Carbon Trust to improve feed efficiency and reduce enteric methane, ultimately reducing dairy’s carbon footprint while also helping dairy farmers increase financial returns.

Starbucks UK launches a pilot with Arla cooperative farmers around the UK. The program seeks to identify innovative new farming practices to help reduce the emissions associated with dairy production that can be scaled across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Announces a collaboration with The Nature Conservancy to help refine and scale Starbucks collaborative approach to sustainable dairy and environmental stewardship. This foundational effort includes working with farms and co-ops in Starbucks supply chain to perform baseline assessments against social and environmental practices that we believe can help propel the industry towards a more sustainable future – helping to reduce emissions and protect water resources.

Joins the U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative (NZI), a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/starbucks-solidifies-pathway-to-a-planet-positive-future/">partnership</a> of the U.S. dairy community seeking to enable progress toward the industry’s goals of achieving greenhouse gas neutrality and improvements in water quality on farms. Through a $10m investment, Starbucks is providing more farmers access to effective environmental and economically viable practices and technologies – from feed production to manure handling, cow care and on-farm energy efficiency.

Joins the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance as a <a href="https://vanguardrenewables.com/vanguard-renewables-launches-farm-powered-strategic-alliance-as-a-call-to-action-for-food-manufacturers-and-retailers/">founding member</a>, repurposing food waste in Starbucks supply chain into renewable energy via farm-based anaerobic digesters. The process produces low carbon fertilizer that host farms use to support regenerative agriculture practices, while Starbucks, in turn, helps contribute to a low carbon economy.

Invests $100m in <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/starbucks-commits-100-million-as-cornerstone-investor-in-valor-siren-ventures/">Valor Siren Ventures</a>, a growth driver for the next generation of food and retail start-up technology companies like Blue Ocean Barns – which is focused on curbing methane emissions through all-natural feed additives.

Photos courtesy of Alliance Dairy

Starbucks is launching a collaborative effort with dairy farmers and The Nature Conservancy to help refine and scale an approach to sustainable dairy.

Starbucks Journey to Sustainable Dairy

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Starbucks journey to sustainable dairy

As Starbucks turns 50, Michelle Burns, who leads coffee at Starbucks, and her team are working to ensure the best outcomes for coffee farmers and the land it’s grown on.

Michelle Burns remembers vividly the trip she took to Colombia in 2018. As the sun broke through the clouds, she trekked into a rugged mountain region in Caldas, one of the country’s main coffee-producing regions – a two-and-a-half-hour ascent up through steep terrain, then down into a valley. There, she and her group were greeted by about 15 local farmers, mostly young people who’d returned home and recently started coffee farming after decades of armed conflicts in the area had subsided.

“They shared their stories with us,” recalls Burns, now Starbucks <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/leadership/michelle-burns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">executive vice president of Global Coffee, Tea and Cocoa</a>, “stories about conflict and all the challenges that happened in Colombia, stories of moving away after losing family members who were in coffee farming.

“They’d come back to reclaim that land. And we asked them, ‘What can we do to help?’”

The moment – and her subsequent takeaway: “the incredible possibility to positively impact the lives and support the next generation of farmers” – led to the Starbucks Colombia Initiative, called “Granos de Esperanza” (grains of hope), a kind of real-time agricultural and economic innovation lab.

Today, 100 local farmers in Nariño, Colombia are learning the latest climate education, soil and fertilizer analysis techniques and coffee cultivation and business practices. They’re applying innovations gained at Hacienda Alsacia, the Starbucks research farm in Costa Rica. And they’re incorporating new technologies like eco-pulpers that use less water in the coffee-production process.

The moment also widened Burns’ perspective on the bean-to-cup journey and drove home the importance and urgency of making sure that Starbucks is committed to doing the work and making the investments to ensure a sustainable future of coffee for all, especially for those who grow it and the land they work on. 

To that end, Starbucks has opened <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2021/starbucks-opens-farmer-support-center-in-brazil-for-coffee-growing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10 coffee farmer support centers</a> around the globe, the latest in Brazil; committed to provide 100 million healthy coffee trees to coffee farmers by 2025; provided access to low-interest loans to coffee farmers in regions where traditional banks are not an option; and piloted programs in Guatemala to help coffee-farming families diversify their income streams.

A commitment to take less and give more to the planet

Starbucks has also <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/starbucks-announces-coffee-specific-environmental-goals/#:~:text=In%202020%20Starbucks%20committed%20to,50%25%2C%20both%20by%202030." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">set goals</a> to achieve carbon-neutral green coffee and conserve water usage in green coffee processing by 50 percent, both by 2030.

“That is bold,” Burns says. “The effort that needs to happen on methodology and technology and bringing all the pieces together, it’s somewhat uncharted territory. We’re very ambitiously out there, not yet having all the answers, but trying to find the solutions.”

Specifically, Starbucks is focusing on reducing its carbon and water footprints at “the first ten feet” – starting on the farms – and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by equipping farmers with precision agronomy tools, promoting and distributing climate-resistant tree varietals and protecting and restoring at-risk forests in key coffee landscapes.

As part of its water conservation strategy, Starbucks is investing in ecological wet mills that can save up to 80 percent of water in coffee processing. To date, Starbucks has helped install 12,000 such new mills around the world.

“You think about the magnitude of water scarcity around the globe. Are there potential ways to innovate and identify and use equipment that is better for the environment? There are over 200,000 wet mills currently in our supply chain. We’ve only scratched the surface on scaling this technology.

“I am seeing the possibilities, and I get excited about the overall positive impact we can have. I feel the best knowing we’ll never hold this as our own. We’re working with others in the industry, so this work is in service to the entire coffee sector – and hopefully beyond, into the broader agricultural industry – because we’re committed to build on open sources of sharing.”

Burns still has the large handmade red ceramic mug that a fellow partner (employee) gifted her 26 years ago, her first at Starbucks. When it’s cradled in her hands, she feels familiarity and friendship, comfort and warmth. Like so many others who have a coffee ritual, this mug is part of hers.

These days, when she drinks coffee out of this mug, she’s reminded of the need to slow down and savor the moment.

For 50 years, coffee has been the core of Starbucks, and Burns always comes back to that, especially as a highly visible leader during intensely complex times – a climate crisis, crop diseases like coffee rust, a highly charged political landscape, an aging farmer population, supply chain disruptions due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, labor and staffing shortages.

“It is important to stay true to the heart and the mission of our company, and the love for coffee, and your experience with it.

“I believe that by honoring our heritage, staying true to where and why we started as a company – strongly rooted in our mission and values, with an aspiration to make sure that in the end, we're giving more than we're taking – then we can really go after the biggest, boldest aspirations.”

That thinking led Starbucks to develop one of the coffee industry’s first ethical sourcing standards, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/cafe-practices-starbucks-approach-to-ethically-sourcing-coffee/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices</a>, a verification program that allows Starbucks to ensure it gets high-quality, ethically sourced coffee while also gaining insights into the challenges faced by farmers and supply chain operations in the more than 30 different coffee-producing countries around the world – and then to share that knowledge back.

C.A.F.E. Practices measures more than 200 criteria – as scored by an independent third-party auditor – in the categories of economic transparency, environmental leadership, social responsibility and quality. Starbucks pays premiums above commercial market price to help ensure coffee farmer profitability, and also financially rewards supply chains that reach the highest performance levels.

That commitment to stay rooted in Starbucks mission and values continues to drive Burns in her work – especially as a woman leading in the coffee industry – whether it’s planet-first initiatives, farmer support or increasing awareness among customers of the entire coffee-making process.

“You just think about the magnitude,” Burns says. “How many hands actually touch the coffee along the way, how many miles are there from a field to one of our stores? It’s incredible… That has to be integrated into all the ways we work, think and act. We work in support of 400,000 farmers, just like we work in support of 400,000 partners.”

Given that Starbucks buys about 800 million pounds of coffee every year, or about 5 percent of the world’s coffee, Burns says, “the potential to positively impact the lives and livelihoods of farmers and their communities is tremendous.

“People have watched us working hard to do the right things, find solutions and take great care of farmers and their communities, for decades. They grant us an amount of trust and opportunity to help lead the discussion around ensuring a sustainable future of coffee for all. That is a privilege as well as a responsibility, but it's so important that we follow through. “When I think about that challenge, and I look at what is required, and the journey ahead, my sense is, we must. We must be brave, and we must lead, and set out aspirations that are bold to take the path that can create a better future for those that grow coffee and their families, and to ensure that the beauty and art and ritual that's coffee remains in all of our cultures, for decades and decades to come.”

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As Starbucks turns 50, Michelle Burns, who leads coffee at Starbucks, and her team are working to ensure the best outcomes for coffee farmers and the land it’s grown on.

Working to create a more sustainable future of coffee for all

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By 2030, 50% of water withdrawal will be conserved or replenished across our direct operations, stores, packaging and agricultural supply chain from FY19, prioritizing action in high-risk water basins while supporting watershed health, ecosystem resilience and water equity.

In January 2020, Starbucks set an ambitious goal to conserve or replenish 50% of water used in green coffee production in our direct operations, as part of the company’s multi-decade commitment to become a resource positive company. In August 2021, Starbucks expanded this goal to include global operations, agricultural supply chain, and packaging, increasing the projected water conserved or replenished and addressing some of the biggest impacts on Starbucks water footprint. In addition, Starbucks will also prioritize action in high-risk basins to support watershed health and actively address ecosystem resilience and water equity. This approach aims to achieve sustainable water security for our business and works to reliably provide clean, safe water to high-risk communities.&nbsp;

Our approach to meet this updated target will include efforts to:

By 2030, 50% of water withdrawal will be conserved or replenished across our direct operations, stores, packaging and agricultural supply chain.

Starbucks expands commitment to water

Starbucks expands commitment to water and outlines comprehensive strategy

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Greener Stores allow Starbucks to test solutions for scale to help the company realize its Planet Positive goals to reduce carbon emissions, water usage and landfill waste by 50%.

The company will open its first Greener Store outside North America in Shanghai, China with a focus on circularity.

Over the next year, Starbucks to continue the international expansion of this program with Greener Stores opening in Japan, the UK and Chile.

As Starbucks celebrates its 50th Anniversary, the company is expanding its open-source Greener Store Framework to help reduce its environmental impact and leverage its scale for good to accelerate the global movement towards a more sustainable future.

Announced in 2018, the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/starbucks-announces-global-greener-stores-commitment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greener Store Framework</a>, co-developed with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), is designed to accelerate the transformation of retail towards lower-impact stores that achieve reductions in carbon emissions, water usage and landfill waste. Starbucks has more than 2,300 Greener Stores in the U.S. and Canada and will begin using the framework outside of North America to achieve its goal of building and retrofitting 10,000 Greener Stores globally by 2025.

“Our work to become planet positive begins with coffee at origin, and carries through to our stores, right to our customers’ hands,” said Michael Kobori, Starbucks chief sustainability officer. “I’m proud to say that our partners’ energy and passion for sustainability pushes us every day and is the reason why we’ve seen great adoption of our Greener Store standards.”

With performance-based standards that incorporate design and extend throughout the life of a store, Starbucks Greener Stores in North America have reduced energy consumption by 30% compared with the company’s prior store designs. That equals the electricity use of more than 30,000 homes per year. Additionally, state-of-the-art technologies treat and conserve water, reducing annual water use by more than 30%, saving more than 1.3 billion gallons of water annually. Meanwhile, 90% of company operated stores have adopted waste diversion and circular practices, including recycling, composting, Grounds for Your Garden, and Starbucks FoodShare. 

“We’ve proven designing and building greener stores is not only responsible, but also good for business,” said Andy Adams, Starbucks senior vice president, Store Development. “In 2018, we created a new benchmark in retail that goes beyond construction and design to address long-term, eco-conscious operations. Today, we expand the Greener Stores benchmark globally to accelerate our progress toward our Planet Positive goals.”

Now, Starbucks is opening its first Greener Store outside of North America in Shanghai,China with a focus on circularity. The Shanghai Greener Store has been designed and built to reduce waste, repurpose goods and serve as a platform for future innovation.

Starbucks will open two additional experiential Greener Stores, like in Shanghai, designed to immerse customers in Starbucks Planet Positive commitments -- the next is planned for Southern California and Starbucks hometown in Seattle, Wash. Looking to the future, Starbucks will extend its commitment beyond company operated stores to licensees, joint venture partners and licensees to innovate and expand sustainability programming to deliver more robust energy, carbon, water, and waste reductions.

Scaling around the globe

Over the next year, Starbucks will continue the international expansion of this program with Greener Stores opening in Japan, the UK and Chile.

Starbucks is also expanding test and learn capabilities for sustainability with innovation test stores that are part of the ecosystem at the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/starbucks-announces-new-planet-and-people-positive-research-facility-in-partnership-with-arizona-state-university/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ASU-Starbucks Center for the Future of People and the Planet</a>. The ASU-Starbucks Center, slated to open in December, will include work to inspire others to design, build and operate portfolios of buildings that minimize environmental impacts throughout their life cycle. This includes developing a roadmap for Greener Store education efforts, including a toolkit, and learning library, to be open-sourced and available for Starbucks stakeholders and others via <a href="https://www.starbucksglobalacademy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starbucks Global Academy</a>.

“Starbucks expansion of the Greener Stores program demonstrates a continued commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation,” said Sheila Bonini Senior Vice President, Private Sector Engagement, World Wildlife Fund. “By making this program open source, and expanding it globally, Starbucks is creating a path toward a resource positive future within their own four walls and beyond.”

Greening the supply chain

Starbucks commitment to environmentally responsible design, construction and operation extends beyond retail and into its supply chain as well.

As a progression against Starbucks resource-positive goals, the company recently committed to <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/starbucks-announces-coffee-specific-environmental-goals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carbon Neutral Green Coffee</a> and to conserve water usage in green coffee processing by 50%, both by 2030. This work focuses on Origin – or what Starbucks refers to as “the first ten feet” (farm to port).

Key to our Greener Stores framework are efforts to accelerate the clean energy transition through onsite solar, and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/starbucks-solidifies-pathway-to-a-planet-positive-future/#:~:text=Starbucks%20has%20sourced%20100%25%20renewable,stores%20that%20use%20the%20energy." target="_blank">new innovative renewable energy investments and contracts</a>. Earlier this summer, Starbucks completed the installation of a 1-megawatt solar array at the Starbucks Carson Valley Roasting Plant and Distribution Center, one of the largest in the world suppling Starbucks products domestically and internationally. On-site solar energy will provide nearly a third of the Roasting Plant and Distribution Center’s electricity for the year.

“At the Carson Valley Roasting Plant, we see the cycle come full circle. Starbucks coffee is both grown by and roasted from the sun,” said Kobori.

Across Starbucks roasting plants, as current roasters reach end of life, the company is replacing them with new roasters that are 40% more energy efficient.

The Carson Valley Roasting plant also leverages electric vehicles to help with daily operations, and in the year ahead, Starbucks will scale electric vehicle fleets throughout its supply chain.

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Greener Stores allow Starbucks to test solutions for scale to help the company realize its Planet Positive goals to reduce carbon emissions, water usage and landfill waste by 50%.

Starbucks Greener Stores accelerate global movement towards a more sustainable future

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Michelle Burns, svp of Global Coffee, Tea and Cocoa, shares new 2030 coffee sustainability goals to achieve carbon neutral green coffee and conserve water usage in green coffee processing by 50%.

It is no secret to any of us that climate change is making it harder and harder to grow coffee. We’ve seen the research. We’ve spoken to experts. We’ve witnessed it first-hand. And, even more so, we’ve heard directly from farmers. If we want to ensure a sustainable future of coffee for all, if we want farmers to thrive, if we want coffee to continue to flow, then we must do more with a greater sense of urgency.

Last year, our ceo, Kevin Johnson, made a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/message-from-starbucks-ceo-kevin-johnson-starbucks-new-sustainability-commitment/">bold aspiration for our company to be resource positive</a> – giving more than we take from the planet – and outlined ten-year goals to achieve 50% reduction in carbon, water and waste. With the entire company rallied behind this vision, the coffee team set off to build upon our long-standing programs and initiatives, research and development work, and partnerships with so many others in the industry, to outline a clear path forward for coffee to contribute to these goals, knowing it was equally important for farmers that we take on and solidify this work.

So today, in support of the company’s resource-positive aspiration, to support farmers and to protect the longevity of our supply chain, I’m excited to share our goals to achieve carbon neutral green coffee and conserve water usage in green coffee processing by 50%, both by 2030. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Our carbon strategy will focus on three primary strategies:

For water conservation at origin, we will:

More details about our goals and roadmap can be found <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/starbucks-announces-coffee-specific-environmental-goals/">here</a>. But even more so, it’s important to re-emphasize this isn’t new for us. With coffee at our core and sustainability always a part of our philosophy, this has been a journey fifty years in the making led by the passion of our Starbucks leaders and partners who believe in our mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit. And it’s because of our strategic partners, our industry allies, our like-minded suppliers who have also made sustainability a priority and who have helped us, as well as the industry, to think bigger, hold ourselves accountable and reimagine what’s possible.

The journey is long from over, but together, the future is looking bright. We know we don’t have all the answers and much of the work ahead is uncharted territory. But we stand more firmly now than ever in our commitments and our continued work together to support farmers, their communities and our planet.

I also wanted to share with you how we continue to bring this great work to our customers and partners, as we know sustainability is also a meaningful topic for them. Last week, we launched a new, <a href="https://coffeeexperiences.starbucks.com/">immersive virtual experience of Hacienda Alsacia</a>, our coffee farm in Costa Rica. As the center of our research and development efforts, Hacienda Alsacia plays a pivotal role in testing new farming practices, tools and techniques as well as breeding more resilient tree varietals – work that has helped inform our sustainability strategies and will continue to play an important role moving forward. With the new virtual experience, people around the world can now get closer to how their coffee is grown and have a deeper appreciation for the many farmers who make it possible. I invite you to grab a cup of coffee and take a trip to the farm.

A Message from svp of Global Coffee, Tea and Cocoa on 2030 coffee sustainability goals - Starbucks Stories

A Message from svp of Global Coffee, Tea and Cocoa on 2030 coffee sustainability goals

Michelle Burns, svp of Global Coffee, Tea and Cocoa, shares new 2030 coffee sustainability goals to achieve carbon neutral green coffee and conserve water usage in green coffee processing by 50%.

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Starbucks affirms commitment to resource positive future with new investments in eco-friendly operations, regenerative agricultural practices, and&nbsp;an&nbsp;environmentally friendly menu.&nbsp;

Earlier this year, Starbucks shared its multi-decade commitment to become a&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/starbucks-announces-multi-decade-aspiration-to-become-resource-positive/">resource positive company</a>&nbsp;by storing more carbon than it emits, eliminating waste,&nbsp;and replenishing more&nbsp;freshwater than it uses.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Today,&nbsp;at its&nbsp;2020 Biennial Investor Day,&nbsp;Starbucks president and ceo Kevin Johnson reaffirmed Starbucks Planet Positive Future. Now the company&nbsp;has&nbsp;formalized&nbsp;its 2030 environmental goals&nbsp;to cut its&nbsp;carbon, water, and waste&nbsp;footprints by half.

These global goals are rooted in science, grounded in Starbucks Mission and Values, and informed by comprehensive market research and trials.&nbsp;Since January,&nbsp;the company&nbsp;has expanded&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/plant-based-menu-innovation-at-starbucks/">plant-based menu options</a>,&nbsp;found better ways to manage waste with&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/starbucks-strawless-lids-now-available-across-the-u-s-and-canada/">greener cups and lids</a>,&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/starbucks-furthers-commitment-to-sustainability-goals-by-joining-transform-to-net-zero/">joined arms with others across industry</a>&nbsp;on its journey to be a more sustainable company.&nbsp;

“Our Planet Positive initiatives have a central role in our long-term business strategy, and directly address what our customers are asking for,” said Kevin Johnson, Starbucks chief executive officer. “We are moving toward a more circular economy, and we are doing so in a very intentional, transparent, and accountable way.”&nbsp;

The now confirmed 2030 goals will not only reduce the company's environmental impact but also strengthen the entire supply chain from agriculture practices, to how stores are powered, and an environmentally friendly menu.&nbsp;

Diversified Renewable Energy Portfolio&nbsp;

Starbucks has sourced 100% renewable energy for its more than 9,000 U.S., Canada and EMEA company-operated stores since 2015. The company has rapidly expanded its roster of renewable energy projects in the United States, supporting the growth of green energy onto the grid&nbsp;close to the stores that use the energy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Today,&nbsp;Starbucks&nbsp;announced new&nbsp;investments&nbsp;around the country including&nbsp;the company’s&nbsp;first next generation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHqF_ysJqPY/">on-site solar store in California</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As&nbsp;Starbucks&nbsp;embarks&nbsp;on the next chapter of&nbsp;its&nbsp;renewable energy strategy,&nbsp;the company will&nbsp;use&nbsp;its&nbsp;scale to drive innovation across the energy sector, applying a climate justice&nbsp;lens&nbsp;to new&nbsp;investments.&nbsp;

Sustainable Coffee&nbsp;

Over the past five years, Starbucks has donated nearly 50 million coffee trees that are resistant to coffee rust diseases to farmers as part of its 10-year, 100 million tree commitment.&nbsp;In addition, this past year Starbucks launched pilots in Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Rwanda, and Kenya to reduce water usage by up to 80% in coffee processing through investments in new mills.

Today,&nbsp;Starbucks&nbsp;announced&nbsp;further&nbsp;support&nbsp;to help ensure a sustainable, profitable future for coffee farmers globally by&nbsp;increasing&nbsp;its&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2015/starbucks-more-than-doubles-global-farmer-loan-commitment/">Global Farmer Fund&nbsp;</a>to $100 million, which represents an&nbsp;additional $50 million&nbsp;investment&nbsp;in this program.&nbsp;Coffee growers&nbsp;can use these funds to renovate and strengthen their farms and farming practices to be even more productive and sustainable.&nbsp;

Looking&nbsp;toward&nbsp;to&nbsp;the company’s resource-positive future,&nbsp;Starbucks&nbsp;will continue&nbsp;seeking advancements to&nbsp;reduce&nbsp;its&nbsp;carbon and water footprint in green coffee.&nbsp;

Sustainably Sourced Dairy&nbsp;&nbsp;

Just as with its coffee, Starbucks goal is for the products it sells to be produced under high quality and ethical standards. Recognizing this responsibility, Starbucks looks for opportunities to collaborate with suppliers to address changes at the industry level.&nbsp;

Today, Starbucks made two announcements to help propel the dairy industry's progress toward a more sustainable future.&nbsp;

Starbucks announced intent to support the Dairy Net Zero Initiative, a partnership of the U.S. dairy community seeking to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions and improvements in water quality on farms. This collaborative effort is intended to provide farmers in Starbucks supply chain access to effective environmental and economically viable practices and technologies from feed production, to manure handling, cow care, and on-farm energy efficiency.&nbsp;

“We share Starbucks commitment to creating a more sustainable planet for future generations and look forward to partnering with them to reach net zero carbon emissions for dairy,” said Mike Haddad, chairman, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. “This partnership reinforces the critical role dairy plays in sustainable diets, and Starbucks participation in the Net Zero Initiative will help enable, advance and scale new technologies on dairy farms of all sizes across the country.”

Starbucks is also joining the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance as a founding member,&nbsp;repurposing&nbsp;food waste in Starbucks supply chain&nbsp;into renewable energy via&nbsp;farm-based&nbsp;anaerobic digesters.&nbsp;The process produces low carbon fertilizer that host farms use to support regenerative agriculture practices, while Starbucks, in turn,&nbsp;helps contribute to a low carbon economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Introducing&nbsp;Oatmilk&nbsp;in US&nbsp;

Starbucks continues to introduce new&nbsp;plant-based&nbsp;drinks and food to menus globally.&nbsp;&nbsp;Following a successful regional rollout across the United States, Starbucks will&nbsp;launch&nbsp;oatmilk&nbsp;in all stores&nbsp;in the U.S. this coming&nbsp;Spring 2021.&nbsp;Customer interest in plant-based foods continues to see rapid growth with reports that the $5 billion industry has grown 29% over the past two years according to The Good Food Institute*.&nbsp;&nbsp;

More news and stories on Starbucks pathway to a planet positive future can be found <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/planet/">here</a>.

Starbucks affirms commitment to resource positive future with new investments in eco-friendly operations and regenerative agricultural practices.

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