Sustainability: Our work in action
From the coffee we source to the cups we serve, Starbucks is working to reduce our environmental footprint and make lower-waste choices easier for customers.
Focused for meaningful impact
Coffee, the people who grow it and the communities we serve are the heart of Starbucks. That's why we focus on the areas where we believe we can make the biggest impact, from supporting coffee-growing communities to reducing waste and improving how our coffeehouses operate. Explore the work that builds on decades of investment and action.
Everyday choices made easier
Customers can help eliminate cups from waste streams by bringing a personal cup or choosing a for-here ceramic cup when staying. Starbucks is also exploring cup materials and designs that use fewer resources and working with suppliers, industry partners, policymakers and communities to strengthen collection, recycling and composting systems.
Improving coffeehouse operations
Much of Starbucks work to reduce its environmental impact happens behind the scenes in how coffeehouses are designed and operated. More than 13,000 Starbucks coffeehouses incorporate energy, water and waste reduction practices as part of everyday operations, alongside broader investments in renewable energy and infrastructure.
Supporting the future of coffee
Coffee is at the heart of Starbucks. As changing temperatures, rainfall, pests and disease create challenges for coffee farmers, Starbucks invests in agricultural research, farmer financing and local support through Farmer Support Centers, where agronomists work with farmers to help them adapt and strengthen the future of high-quality coffee.
More of what you love, less waste
Whether you’re staying in the coffeehouse or bringing your own cup, there are simple ways to choose reusable, with benefits for both.
For-here cups
Ask for your drink in a reusable ceramic mug or glass where available. Customers who stay in the coffeehouse can also get free refills of hot or iced brewed coffee or tea.
Personal cups
Bring a clean personal cup to Starbucks coffeehouses globally. In North America, use it for café, drive-thru or mobile orders and earn double Stars as a Starbucks Rewards member.
Making progress, cup by cup
Together, customer choices and Starbucks cup innovations are helping reduce waste and the amount of new materials needed.
- Reusable cup use increased 77%: In fiscal 2025, beverages ordered in reusable cups increased 77% compared with the previous year.
- Reducing cups from the waste stream: Since introducing the option for customers to use a personal cup for every visit in the U.S., Starbucks has helped eliminate on average two million cups per month from waste streams.
- Cold cups use less plastic: Redesigned cold cups in North America use 10% to 20% less plastic. In February 2026, polypropylene cold cups earned a Widely Recyclable designation from How2Recycle.
- Hot cups include recycled content: Starbucks hot cups in the U.S. now include 30% post-consumer recycled content.
Coffeehouses designed with intention
In addition to offering more reusable cup choices, we’re improving how our coffeehouses are designed and operated to reduce environmental impact over time.
- Renewable electricity: Starbucks met 100% of the electricity needs for company-operated coffeehouses globally, excluding China, through renewable energy purchases and investments.
- Designing with care: 13,000 coffeehouses for energy, water and waste reduction practices.
- EV charging access: EV charging is available at select Starbucks locations.
- Renewable energy investment: Starbucks has invested more than $325 million in renewable energy projects.
Supporting the future of coffee
Starbucks work to support the future of coffee starts where coffee grows. Changing temperatures, rainfall, pests and disease are creating real challenges for farmers. Starbucks is investing in coffee trees, agricultural research, farmer financing and local agronomy support to help farmers adapt and support the future of high-quality coffee.
- Donated 100 million coffee trees: In 2025, Starbucks reached its goal of donating 100 million coffee trees grown from varietals selected for their performance in climate-adverse conditions and has committed to donating another 50 million trees.
- Providing $100 million in financing: Starbucks deployed $100 million through the Global Farmer Fund to help smallholder coffee farmers access financing.
- Supporting farmers locally: Starbucks operates 10 Farmer Support Centers around the world, where agronomists share practices related to shade-tree management, pruning and soil health.
- Investing in coffee research: Starbucks manages more than 600 coffee hybrids and varietals at Hacienda Alsacia in Costa Rica.
