Starbucks is taking a significant step to reduce plastic waste by introducing compostable cups for cold drinks. This change comes as the company faces growing concerns over the environmental impact of plastic waste, especially with the rise in popularity of iced beverages.
Starting soon, customers ordering iced coffee and Frappuccinos will see their drinks served in new cups as part of a broader effort to move away from single-use plastics. This shift follows a 2024 announcement of cups made with up to 20% less plastic. Some states and cities with stricter plastic laws have prompted Starbucks to adopt this change in specific locations.
“These cups not only use less plastic than previous cold cups, but they are also designed to reduce emissions and conserve water during production. The change also simplifies the workflow for store partners by streamlining lid combinations and storage,” Starbucks said last year.
This move is part of Starbucks’ commitment to cut its carbon, water, and waste footprints in half by 2030. The company also aims to ensure that all customer packaging is either reusable, recyclable, or compostable by that time. The new cold cups are made from fiber-based paperboard with bioplastic linings and are opaque.
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