Starbucks is a company that I believe is socially responsible. Sustainability refers to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs (Grant, 2020). Sustainability needs to consider three various systems that support the triple bottom line: economic, environmental, and social or also known as people, planet, and profit (Grant, 2020). Starbucks has various initiatives that they claim to follow and practice such as waste and recycling reduction, energy conservation, water conservation, showing support for farmers and community, and the ethos water fund (Wang, 2018).
As any other company, there is going to be a waste for different items like plastic, paper, etc. With Starbucks, they work with their respective communities to reduce wastage and make recycling easier (Wang, 2018). They offer a .10 cent discount to customers that provide their own reusable cups to reduce wastage (Wang, 2018). One summer, they held a cup summit where various representatives of plastic and paper value chains came together to discuss a valuable solution for cups (Wang, 2018).
Starbucks fully understands the amount of energy they use, creating 80% of carbon footprint so they work hard to conserve energy (Wang, 2018). As of now, about 20% of the electricity they use in stores from the US and Canada came from renewable sources (Wang, 2018). With Starbucks, they obviously use a massive amount of water to make their drinks, as well as their ice machines and dishwashing (Wang, 2018). Wanting to reduce their water consumption, Starbucks implemented a few number of ways like switching to mechanical dishwashers which use less than a single gallon of water during a cycle (Wang, 2018).
Starbucks consistently shows support for their respective local communities and the farmers (Wang, 2018). They work with farmers hands on to always improve the quality of their coffee and the community (Wang, 2018). Starbucks constantly working with farmers and their community shows a unified community and empowering it as well which ensures quality coffee from the best (Wang, 2018). Starbucks even created the Farmers Support Centers, located in Costa Rica and Rwanda which offers local farmers skills and resources to reduce the overall cost of production while also increasing production and quality (Wang, 2018).
The Ethos Water Fund, created by Starbucks, raises awareness about one billion people around the world that do not have access to clean drinking water (Wang, 2018). All funds go towards providing children around the world with clean drinking water (Wang, 2018). Starbucks also sells Ethos Water bottles in-store (Wang, 2018). Any bottle purchased from Starbucks, a portion of the proceeds go towards the fund (Wang, 2018). Over $6 million has been raised to support the Ethos Water Fund (Wang, 2018).
One issue Starbucks faced when they were being socially responsible was when they banned their plastic straws. Starbucks planned to go straw free and use a sip lid to reduce plastic wastage in the environment (Koman, 2018). Starbucks faced immediate backlash from various disabled activist groups stating that if Starbucks eliminated plastic straws completely, people with disabilities would not be able to or comfortably consume their beverages (Koman, 2018). In response, Starbucks announced they will continue to offer straws to those who may need it as long as it is requested for (Koman, 2018).
I believe that Starbucks is green for the environment and not for profit. From the previous examples given, we can see that Starbucks is trying hard to reduce any type of wastage that can damage the environment. To reduce cup wastage, I always see reusable cups on display at stores that are available for purchase. With Ethos Water, I’ve only seen that brand in-store and nowhere else for purchase. With the world today, we are seeing the world changing, good or bad, Starbucks sees that and understands it so they are genuinely practicing and supporting these claims to better their company and the environment. Even when they face backlash like the straw bans, they still try to practice being socially responsible while keeping their customers happy.
References:
Grant, M. Sustainability. (2020 April 5). Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sustainability.asp
Koman, T. Starbucks Responds To The Backlash From Their Plastic Straw Ban Announcement. (2018 July 7). Retrieved from https://www.delish.com/food-news/a22223413/starbucks-responds-to-straw-ban-backlash/
Wang, Walter. 2018, March 26. Top Ten Sustainability Initiatives of Starbucks Corporation. Retrieved from https://cleantechies.com/2012/02/20/top-ten-sustainability-initiatives-of-starbucks-corporation/
Brandy Chanthapho 