Apple Control Mechanism
Recycling & Reducing Waste
Starbucks is committed to significantly reducing and diverting the waste our stores generate, and recycling is just one way in which we do this.
But while recycling seems like a simple, straightforward initiative, it’s actually extremely challenging. Not only are there municipal barriers to successful recycling in many cities, but it takes significant changes in behavior to get it right. One wrong item in a recycle bin can render the entire can unrecyclable to the hauler. Local municipalities, landlords, customers, baristas, and even adjacent businesses all have to work together to keep recyclable materials out of the landfill.
Read the Report
To learn more about our work in recycling read our Global Responsibility Goals & Progress Report.
Recycling in Stores
When looking at the waste generated at a Starbucks store, most of it can be found behind the counter or in the backroom in the form of cardboard boxes, milk jugs, syrup bottles, and coffee grounds. Many of our stores recycle these items, but because it is done behind the counter and in the backroom, it’s not something our customers typically see. What they do see is what happens in the café area.
Recycling success depends on the availability of commercial recycling services where our stores are located. While our policy is that stores recycle where space and services are available, execution often presents challenges, both with customer perception of the services being provided and the actual service itself. While many local communities offer comprehensive residential recycling and mandate what materials recyclers must collect, commercial recycling services are often less robust or unavailable entirely, so the items our customers are used to recycling at home may not be accepted commercially.
Also, different commercial recyclers accept different materials, so we’re not able to provide a consistent program from store to store. And for stores located in shared
Starbucks is committed to significantly reducing and diverting the waste our stores generate, and recycling is just one way in which we do this.
But while recycling seems like a simple, straightforward initiative, it’s actually extremely challenging. Not only are there municipal barriers to successful recycling in many cities, but it takes significant changes in behavior to get it right. One wrong item in a recycle bin can render the entire can unrecyclable to the hauler. Local municipalities, landlords, customers, baristas, and even adjacent businesses all have to work together to keep recyclable materials out of the landfill.
Read the Report
To learn more about our work in recycling read our Global Responsibility Goals & Progress Report.
Recycling in Stores
When looking at the waste generated at a Starbucks store, most of it can be found behind the counter or in the backroom in the form of cardboard boxes, milk jugs, syrup bottles, and coffee grounds. Many of our stores recycle these items, but because it is done behind the counter and in the backroom, it’s not something our customers typically see. What they do see is what happens in the café area.
Recycling success depends on the availability of commercial recycling services where our stores are located. While our policy is that stores recycle where space and services are available, execution often presents challenges, both with customer perception of the services being provided and the actual service itself. While many local communities offer comprehensive residential recycling and mandate what materials recyclers must collect, commercial recycling services are often less robust or unavailable entirely, so the items our customers are used to recycling at home may not be accepted commercially.
Also, different commercial recyclers accept different materials, so we’re not able to provide a consistent program from store to store. And for stores located in shared