How Starbucks is Delivering Your Drinks Has Changed-Here’s What You Need To Know
This year, Starbucks is moving away from plastic cups as part of its conservation efforts. A new “turnaround plan” of the popular coffee chain saw it cut nearly 30 percent off its menu and overhaul its apps’ order limits at the same time. In addition to these changes for Starbucks locations nationwide, even more changes are expected for specific regions around the country.
As of February 11, Starbucks stores in several states have begun serving cold drinks in non-plastic cups. The coffee giant’s home state of Washington is among the 14 states set to take part in the transition, though not all stores in these states will be participating. Described as resembling the cups used for hot drinks, these opaque cold cups will be made of fiber-based paperboard with bioplastic linings.
As Starbucks points out, the move to non-plastic cups is a result of two things. The first is that Starbucks has a goal of making all packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2030. The second reason for the transition has to do with legislation, which takes time and money to accomplish. Starbucks continues to adjust its offerings as local governments around the country pass legislation mandating single-use plastic transition.
The switch to non-plastic cups isn’t taking place in all stores, as we mentioned previously, but some stores in the following states are confirmed to be participating: California, Washington, Hawaii, Minnesota, Arizona, New Mexico, Massachusetts, Michigan, Maryland, Connecticut, Virginia, South Carolina, Colorado, and Georgia.
Even those who do not like the new compostable cups will not be left out, though. Starbucks is still offering alternatives if you prefer plastic cups.
A Starbucks spokesperson noted that customers may also bring their own clean, reusable cup or order their beverage ‘for here’ to have it served in a ceramic mug or glass.
Starbucks is taking action in an era of plastic products. Even though paper straws have been a problem for a while, we can’t ignore the fact that our world is completely overrun with plastic. The idea of offsetting the negative effects of excessive plastic on this planet is a welcome one for us.
