Ethics and Sustainability of Starbucks Coffee

On a planet populated by 7.3 billion people, the issue of sustainability has become more
important than ever (Current World Population). Much of this obligation falls on the massive
businesses that dominate the world economy. Ultimately, their initiatives and sustainability
strategies make the biggest impact on the preservation of our planet. Like Winston Churchill
said, Where there is great power there is great responsibility. Take for example Starbucks
Coffee, a corporation estimated to be worth $70.9 billion as of May 2015 ( Company Overview:
Starbucks). Starbucks is a powerful company that implements one of the most well-rounded and

successful sustainability plans. It features various initiatives ranging from energy conservation to
community engagement programs. Though widespread in nature, each initiative ties back to one
of the legs in the 3-legged sustainability stool: environmental, economic, or social. Lets
investigate a few of Starbuckss initiatives in each of these categories.

Environmental:
To preserve the life of our planet, we must preserve our planets resources. With over
21,000 stores in 65 different countries, Starbucks initiates a global strategy towards
environmental sustainability (Responsibility). One of Starbuckss most notable achievements
in this area is their implementation of LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design)
certified stores. These stores meet high standards of energy efficiency as set by the Green
Building Council. Starbucks is the first retail company to take this approach globally, and today
they have over 650 LEED stores in 19 different countries (Responsibility). In addition to
energy efficiency, Starbucks makes an effort to directly reduce the amount of waste they
generate. Since 1985, Starbucks has been offering a discount to customers who bring in their

own cup from home. Although this discount is a meager 10, 34.1 million customers brought
their own cups in 2011 (Responsibility). By the same token, another campaign launched in
2013 offers $1 reusable plastic cups in all U.S. and Canada locations. In 2015, Starbucks set a
goal to serve 5% of all drink orders in reusable cups. Using these two campaigns, they are
working towards reaching that goal and eventually setting it as the company standard
(Responsibility). Next, Starbucks has also worked with the FDA to manufacture disposable
cups using recycled content. Jim Hanna, the companys director of environmental impact, said in
an interview with On Earth, The FDA has rules strictly controlling the use of recycled materials
in food-grade containers Starbucks started working with the FDA about 10 years ago [and]
in 2006, we got the FDA to OK a cup with 10 percent recycled content, and thats been our
standard ever since (Aston, Adam). With initiatives to decrease energy consumption and
landfill, it is clear that Starbucks makes conscious efforts toward environmental sustainability.

Economic:
Starbucks recognizes the strong correlation between economic conditions and overall
quality of life. As a result, they strive to maintain fair policies, wages, and infrastructure for all of
their employees and business partners. Starting with their suppliers, Starbucks makes strong
efforts to ensure that their coffee, cocoa, and tea are sourced responsibly. Coffee production,
which is placed under the strictest scrutiny, must fall in accordance to Coffee and Farmer Equity
(C.A.F.E.) practices (Responsibility). Starbucks partners with SCS Global, a trusted third party
inspection and certification company, to accomplish this. On their webpage, SCS states,
C.A.F.E. practices ensures that Starbucks is sourcing sustainably grown and processed coffee by
evaluating the economic, social and environmental aspects of coffee production. (Starbucks

C.A.F.E.). In addition, SCS also inspects and verifies the supply chain of Starbuckss cocoa.
Lastly, Starbucks works with ETP (Ethical Tea Partnership) and other companies in the tea
industry to define and lay out criteria for fair tea production (Responsibility). All-in-all, these
efforts place a level of security on the working conditions, rights, and wages of their farmers. As
for their employees, Starbucks offers a plethora of perks including various kinds of insurance,
disability plans, financial assistance, stock and equity purchase, and even college achievement
plans (Your Special Blend). On top of that, the company also hires at the age of 16, allowing
more people to reap these benefits. One in particular, the college achievement plan, sponsors
employees to take online courses through Arizona State University to pursue a degree. This
amazing program enables people, who otherwise may not have had an opportunity, to attain a
college education. Graduates arent obligated to stay with Starbucks either, thus allowing them to
chase their ambitions however theyd like (Your Special Blend). By investing in the rights of
their farmers and the higher education of their employees, Starbucks preserves the economic
sustainability of the world economy.

Social:
Last, but not least, Starbucks gives back to the community quite often. Whether its a
specific community involvement program or a global hearth service campaign like, the company
employs various social efforts. First, Starbucks partners with a non-profit organization called
YouthBuild. This organization brings engaging community education, service, and leadership
programs to low-income cities to positively engage youth (The Need & The Mission).
Starbucks works with the non-profit to administer the Retail Excellence Training Program

(RETP) in Washington, Mississippi, and New York. This program gives participants the
opportunity to go through the same training as baristas do to develop various customer service
skills. The program lasts 8-10 weeks, is paid, and can even count as college credit
(Responsibility). Ultimately, the biggest takeaway from this program is the opportunity for
students to distinguish themselves as graduates, which aids them in their job search. Building on,
Starbucks is also partnered with Product(RED), a non-profit that raises money and awareness to
combat the growing problem of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Starbucks interacts with many coffee
growing communities in Africa, so it only makes sense that theyd partner with a non-profit such
as Product(RED) (Responsibility). Through donations and sales of Starbucks(RED)
merchandise, the two organizations have raised roughly $13 million to date (Responsibility).
Collectively, these two campaigns demonstrate Starbuckss concern for social sustainability on
both a domestic and global scale.

The issue of sustainability is one of great importance. As frightening as it sounds, the

lives of future generations are affected by the lifestyles and corporate culture practiced today.
Starbucks, a multi-billion dollar corporation, demonstrates its concern by implementing action in
all portions of the 3-legged sustainability model. These efforts, however vast or small, work to
preserve life in years to come.

Works Cited
Aston, Adam. "Meet the Change Makers: Starbucks's Quest for a Better Cup." Meet the Change
Makers: Starbucks's Quest for a Better Cup | OnEarth Magazine. OnEarth Magazine, 2
Apr. 2012. Web. 8 Oct. 2015.
"Company Overview: Starbucks." Forbes. Forbes Magazine. Web. 8 Oct. 2015.
"Current World Population." World Population Clock: 7.3 Billion People (2015). Web. 8 Oct.
2015.
Kaye, Leon. "Starbucks Needs More Than a $1 Reusable Cup to Boost Recycling." Triple Pundit
People Planet Profit. Triple Pundit, 7 Jan. 2013. Web. 8 Oct. 2015.
Liszewski, Andrew. "Starbucks Hopes Cheap $1 Reusable Cups Will Sway Customers From
Disposables." Gizmodo. 3 Jan. 2013. Web. 8 Oct. 2015.
"Responsibility." Starbucks Coffee Company. Web. 8 Oct. 2015.
"Starbucks C.A.F.E. Practices Ensuring the Ethical Sourcing of Coffee."Starbucks C.A.F.E.

Practices. SCS Global Services. Web. 8 Oct. 2015.

"The Need & The Mission." What We Do. YouthBuild, 7 Aug. 2014. Web. 8 Oct. 2015.
"Your Special Blend." Global Assets: Starbucks. Starbucks. Web. 8 Oct. 2015.