Starbucks is eliminating plastic cold drink cups in 14 states in favor of compostable cups to help the environment

Starting February 11, Starbucks has a new move in selected stores in 14 states in the United States - to stop using plastic cold drink cups and replace them with compostable paper cups. These compostable cups are made of fiberboard, lined with bioplastic and covered with moulded fiber. Unlike previous transparent plastic cups, the new cups are opaque and similar in texture to Starbucks' hot drink cups.

Behind this move is Starbucks' ambitious environmental goal: to make all packaging in stores reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2030. In addition to changing packaging, Starbucks is actively encouraging customers to bring their own cups, and has been piloting reusable cup programs in select cities.

The new straw is made from Green Planet®, a plant-based biodegradable biopolymer. Using vegetable oil as its main ingredient, rather than petroleum derivatives, the new straw naturally degrades into carbon dioxide (CO₂) and microorganisms in the soil, alleviating the problem of Marine pollution from waste plastics, including microplastics. Over its life cycle, this straw emits less CO₂ than the FSC certified paper straws that Starbucks currently supplies, causing Starbucks stores to discard half of the straw's weight.

This innovation comes from Starbucks offering the experience one cup at a time in all its stores in Japan every day. The company developed these new straws using valuable input from partners and customers to balance environmental impact and user experience. Strength, durability and smoothness are at the heart of its design, while maintaining the iconic Starbucks green color.

Green Planet® straws are currently available at 32 Starbucks locations in Okinawa Prefecture for customers who purchase chilled beverages such as frappuccinos. They will be available in all Starbucks stores in Japan starting in March 2025. This will be followed by thicker straws for seasonal Frappuccino drinks in all stores in Japan by early April 2025.

For those who aren't too keen on new cups, Starbucks has a solution: Customers can bring their own clean containers or choose to use the ceramic cups and glasses provided in the store.