Starbucks Makes its Stores Sustainable

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Starbucks greens its stores by working to achieve LEED-certification on all of its new company-owned stores by 2010. Photo Courtesy Starbucks

Starbucks plans to reduce its environmental impact by achieving the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED standards on all of its new company-owned stores worldwide beginning in late 2010. Approximately 60 percent of Starbucks stores in the U.S. are company-owned and 40 percent internationally.

• The new store design will incorporate these sustainable elements:

• Low-energy lighting systems

• Dual-flush toilets and low-use water faucets

• Drought-resistant native landscaping

• Recycled construction, finish and casework materials

• Locally-sourced materials

• Wood products that are Forest Stewardship Council–certified (where available)

• Paints, finishes and adhesives with lower amounts of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs)

In spring of 2010, Starbucks will open 10 LEED-certified pilot stores to test other strategies for reducing energy and water use. After the pilot stores are audited and approved, they can be replicated elsewhere. Already three Starbucks stores are LEED-certified; two in Seattle and one in Paris.

Starbucks also plans to have recycling available in all stores by 2015. Starbucks’ first goal is to finish developing a recyclable cup by 2012 before implementing in-store recycling.

Take a virtual tour of a Starbucks’ green store to learn more.

More on sustainable coffee

• Starbucks made a goal to green its coffee cups by 2012. Find out how the company is doing.

• Do you toss your coffee grounds after you brew a pot? Check out these easy tips for reusing coffee grounds.