When I began to look for my next company to highlight, I decided to check out Starbucks to see how they helped the environment. Starbucks Coffee Company and Global Green USA created a Planet Green Game. The game involves creating a character that travels through a city implementing green initiatives. After each initiative, you learn how the change you made helps the environment. It is a fun and excellent way to show how little changes can positively help the planet.
After playing the game, I wanted to see what else Starbucks was involved in. I knew Starbucks cups were made of 10 percent recycled content and they promote reusable mugs to help the environment, but I knew the company had to do more to help.
Even after closing many stores and laying off employees, Starbucks announced their “Shared Plant program” in October 2008. This program outlines Starbuck’s green goals, and these goals are outline in The Green Report article called Starbucks keeps green goals. The goals are:
- Purchasing all coffee through ethical sourcing practices
- Making all store 25 percent more energy efficient by 2010
- Using 100 percent reusable or recyclable cups by 2015
- Obtaining 50 percent of the energy used by Starbucks store from renewable sources
Starbucks is also very concerned with climate change. Along with Conservation International, Starbucks is working hard to protect and restore forests, preserve rich biodiversity and address climate issues. The two groups are working together by joining with coffee growing communities in Chiapas and Mexico to help plant trees.
Over the summer, Starbucks even sold green umbrellas at their stores. The umbrellas for “Green Umbrellas for a Green Cause” were designed by celebrities, and part of the proceeds from the sales go towards Global Green USA, which Starbucks has worked with for many years. With the umbrellas and the game, Starbucks is working to improve the environment and doing it in creative and fun new ways.
Some interesting points. A few minor typos. It would be nice to get some other points of view on these posts, not just relying on the company’s PR. For example, what are some criticisms of Starbucks? It seems the whole fact that they’ve built 50 billion stores in the first place is a bit anti-green.
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