Starbucks has announced a major redesign of its plastic cups for cold drinks, with the new cups using up to 20% less plastic compared to the current versions. This change is part of the company’s overall sustainability efforts to reduce waste and carbon output by 2030. The new cups were developed internally by Starbucks and will be rolled out at select US and Canada locations this year, with a full rollout expected by spring 2025. In addition to using less plastic, the new cups are projected to save over 13.5 million pounds of plastic going to landfills annually and reduce emissions and conserve water during the production process.
The new cups feature slight design tweaks, including new accessibility features like black and white “fill lines” for contrast against light and dark-colored drinks. Another change is that tall, grande, and venti cups will now use the same-sized lid, which will help reduce clutter and save time for employees. Additionally, embossed letters on the bottom of the cup will help baristas quickly identify cup sizes during busy rushes. The largest trenta size will still use a different lid size than the other cup sizes.
Starbucks has been experimenting with various sustainability initiatives to reduce waste generated by cups. In addition to the new cup design, Starbucks has expanded its refill policies to include drive-thru and app orders, allowing customers to have their drinks filled in their own cups. The chain has also tested a borrow-a-cup program in select locations, where customers pay a deposit for a durable cup that can be returned after use. While these initiatives are steps in the right direction, more sustainable solutions are needed to address the plastic crisis, according to global corporate campaigns coordinator Emma Priestland from Break Free from Plastic.
Priestland suggests that Starbucks develop reusable and returnable on-the-go cups to help achieve their sustainability goals. While reducing the amount of plastic used in cups is a positive step, a shift towards reusable options would have a more significant impact on reducing plastic pollution. Starbucks’ ongoing efforts to reduce waste and emissions are commendable, but there is still work to be done to fully address the environmental impacts of single-use plastics. By continuing to innovate and implement sustainable practices, Starbucks can make a positive impact on the planet and inspire other companies to follow suit in reducing plastic waste.
