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Starbucks dares to go strawless

Provided

September 10, 2020

As part of its commitment to eliminate plastic straws from its stores, Starbucks has made its strawless lids the standard for iced beverages in company-operated and licensed stores in the U.S. and Canada, according to a company press release. The rollout should be completed by month's end.

"Recyclable, strawless lids for customers across the U.S. and Canada is another step in our journey to reduce our environmental footprint," Michael Kobori, Starbucks chief sustainability officer, said in a company press release. "As we move closer toward our 2030 target of a 50% reduction in waste sent to landfills, the long-standing history of innovation within Starbucks, partnership across the industry and changing consumer behavior remain fundamental to our purpose and our prosperity as an organization."

The lid, modeled after its hot drink lids, uses about 9% less plastic than the flat lid and straw historically used for iced beverages. Unlike straws that cannot be recycled because of their size, the strawless lid made from polypropylene meets the Association of Plastic Recyclers design guidelines for recyclability and can be recycled in many markets in the U.S. and Canada.

"We developed and trialed several prototypes to arrive at this milestone," said Andy Corlett, director of global packaging solutions and innovations, whose team at Starbucks helped design the lid. "A recyclable, strawless lid becoming the standard for iced drinks is one small way we can give more than we take from the planet. This is a significant moment for Starbucks as we work to reduce waste and safeguard the environment."

Corlett's team developed variations in lid design to match the variety of beverages Starbucks offers. For example, the distinct lid for Nitro beverages, which began rolling out in 2018, has a slightly wider, tear-drop shaped opening, designed for the perfect drinking experience of Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew and beverages with cold foam. Similarly, Frappuccino blended beverages and other drinks with whipped cream have a domed lid made from recyclable plastic and are accompanied by a straw, except where prohibited by local law. Straws will also remain available in stores for customers upon request.

"Last year alone, volunteers with Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup removed nearly one million straws from beaches and waterways around the world, and that's one million too many polluting our environment," Doug Cress, VP of conservation at Ocean Conservancy, said in the release. "Starbucks strawless lid is a prime example of how innovation will help us move closer to a healthy ocean free of trash, and we are committed to working with Starbucks through our International Coastal Cleanup and our Trash Free Seas Alliance to drive positive change. Our hope is that other companies follow suit, and that these innovations are met with greater investment from both the public and private sectors in recycling infrastructure and markets to keep the momentum alive."

Starbucks Korea was the company's first market to eliminate straws through strawless lids and paper straw alternatives in 2018. In 2019, Starbucks introduced strawless lids in select markets across the U.S., Canada and China, in addition to introducing Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper straws across the U.K. and Europe.

The chain will continue to test strawless lids and straws made from alternative materials.