In a move towards sustainability, Starbucks announced on Wednesday that it will become the first nationwide coffee retailer to accept reusable cups for mobile orders, effective immediately. This initiative extends to drive-thru orders as well, marking a significant stride in Starbucks' commitment to reducing waste.
Customers can now enjoy their favorite Starbucks beverages in their "clean, personal cup for every visit," whether ordering through the drive-thru, mobile app, or at the café in all company-operated and participating licensed stores, as outlined in the official release.
"With the majority of Starbucks beverages enjoyed on the go, this milestone unlocks a big opportunity for customers to choose reusables and supports Starbucks' commitment to reduce waste by 50 percent by 2030," the release stated.
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Starbucks Chief Sustainability Officer, Michael Kobori, expressed the company's vision for a future where every beverage can be served in a reusable cup. "Offering customers more options to use a personal cup when they visit Starbucks marks tangible progress towards the future," he stated, emphasizing the importance of customer involvement in Starbucks' sustainability efforts.
The new program also comes with a financial incentive. Customers using a personal cup will receive a ten-cent discount on their beverage, and Starbucks Rewards customers in the U.S. will receive 25 Bonus Stars for participating in the initiative
The release provided detailed instructions for customers participating in drive-thru and mobile orders. Drive-thru customers are instructed to notify the barista about their reusable cup, and baristas will collect the personal cup without the lid using a contactless vessel for hygiene and safety. The beverage will be returned to the customer in the same manner.
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For mobile orders, customers should select "Customization" and "Personal Cup" and hand their personal cups to the barista upon arrival at the store.
Starbucks conducted a "personal cup test" at 200 drive-thrus across Colorado last spring, leading to the decision to roll out the program nationwide. According to the company, this initiative received positive feedback from both customers and Starbucks partners.
"As long as we are following all our procedures and steps, it doesn't add any more time, and it is actually making customers happier," noted Brook, a partner who participated in the Colorado test, according to the release.
