Starbucks Greener Cup Timeline
Read on for an at-a-glance look at Starbucks Greener Cup milestones.
Updated March 11, 2022
In support of the company’s goal to reduce waste by 50 percent by 2030, Starbucks is shifting away from single-use plastics, championing the use of recycled content, and promoting reusability, driven by a broader shift towards a circular economy.
To learn more, read on for an at-a-glance look at Starbucks Greener Cup milestones:
2022
Tests new returnable cup program in the company’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa region – allowing customers to opt for a reusable in the same way they would a single-use cup.
Pilots borrow-and-return reusable cup program in Singapore.
2021
Rolls out oatmilk nationwide in all U.S. stores.
Pilots borrow-and-return reusable cup programs in the United States, S. Korea and Japan. Commits to offering reusable cup program in all stores in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region by 2025.
Fully transitions four stores in S. Korea to a reusable cup format and commits to the full discontinuation of disposable cups nationwide by 2025.
Expands its Circular Cup program to 30 countries across Europe, Middle East and Africa, recycling 450,000 cups.
Eliminates all plastic straws in Canada and introduces a new paper straw.
2020
Completes rollout of strawless lids in the U.S. and Canada.
Began in-market testing of a more sustainable cup technology from the NextGen Cup Challenge.
Rolls out 5-cent paper cup charge in Germany, with 100 percent of proceeds going to the World Wildlife Fund.
Starbucks markets across Asia begin the new year by phasing out plastic straws, including Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Announces new sustainability commitment to be resource positive, including goals of reducing carbon, water, and waste 50 percent by 2030; signs the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Global Commitment
2019
Announces the winners of the NextGen Cup Challenge and a commitment to conduct market tests with the cup technologies in select stores.
Conducts the first-ever airport reusable cup trial at London’s Gatwick Airport to drive consumer behavior around reusables.
Introduces improved strawless lid made with 9 percent less plastic in several markets in the U.S. and Canada.
Launches UK Cup Fund recycling program in the United Kingdom with environmental charity, Hubbub.
2018
Eliminates straws in all Starbucks stores in S. Korea through strawless lids and paper straw alternatives.
Rolls out 5p paper cup charge in Starbucks stores across Britain, with proceeds dedicated to efforts to reduce plastic pollution across the U.K.
Co-founds the NextGen Consortium, a partnership convened by Closed Loop Partners to improve recycling infrastructure and launch the NextGen Cup Challenge to develop a widely recyclable, compostable and/or resuable cup.
Announces commitment to eliminate plastic straws globally by 2020 and launches innovative strawless lid for cold beverages.
2015
Completes global rollout of new cup sleeves, which are made from less paper and more post-consumer fiber.
2013
Offers a $1 reusable cup in the U.S. and Canada, and a £1 cup in the United Kingdom to help reduce cup waste.
2012
Rolls out cup sleeves made from less paper and more post-consumer content, saving nearly 100,000 trees each year.
2010
Hosts second Cup Summit in Boston and announces Paper Recovery Alliance with the Foodservice Packaging Institute.
2009
Hosts first Cup Summit in Seattle, inviting local governments, cup manufacturers, recyclers, and stakeholders to find a comprehensive recyclable cup solution.
2008
Introduces a new polypropylene plastic cup that uses 15 percent less plastic than previous cups and emits 45 percent less greenhouse gas during production.
2006
Launches the retail industry’s first hot beverage paper cup with 10 percent post-consumer recycled fiber (PCF).
1997
Develops a cup sleeve made from recycled content to help eliminate the practice of double cupping.
1996
Establishes a relationship with the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund to explore ways to reduce the environmental impact of its cups.
1985
Offers 10-cent reusable cup discount.
