Question

With thousands of stores located all around the world, a new Starbucks location would hardly seem to be newsworthy. However, many people are excited about one of the most recent openings in Seattle. The company’s familiar green and white sign hangs outside the new store, but that may be all that is recognizable.  In fact, many consumers may wonder whether they have seen the rest of the store somewhere else, perhaps while waiting a railroad crossing or while driving down the highway because this store, unlike other Starbucks locations, is made from recycled shipping containers.  

The new building follows the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design(LEED) protocol.  Its design came to architect Anthony Perez while he was looking out of his window at one of the busiest shipping ports in the country where unused shipping containers were waiting to be taken to the scrapyard.  Perez used the containers as the building blocks for the new store and then continued the green design into the landscaping as well. He notes that Starbucks has always been committed to sustainability inside its stores.  He simply applied the concept outside as well.  

On the wall of the new store is sign indicating Starbucks’s dedication to sustainability. With words like recycle, reuse, regenerate, and so on, the sign clearly illustrates Starbucks’ belief that it can make a difference. The CEO of Starbucks, Howard Schultz, hopes that other companies will follow its lead in corporate sustainability.

Does Starbucks, as a well-known company, have a special responsibility to lead the way in being environmentally friendly? Has Starbucks assumed a leadership position in environmental sustainability in the coffee industry?

• Yes, Starbucks has assumed a leadership position in environmental sustainability in the coffee industry. but why ?

Answer 1

Yes, being one of the largest chains in the world, Starbucks is socially responsible towards leading an environmentally friendly way of business. They are a pillar of inspiration to other businesses as well as customers who are loyal towards the chain. Thus, they have the responsibility of inspiring others to walk the eco-friendly path of business.

Starbucks has assumed a leadership position in the environmental sustainability initiative as they use eco-friendly and reusable products and no plastic products. Also, participate eco-friendly drives and lead several initiatives towards restoring eco-balance. Also, they purchase coffee which is organically grown in a sustainable manner. They emphasize on supply chain transparency and initiatives towards conservation of nature.

Starbucks has assumed a leadership position in environmental sustainability in the coffee industry as they purchase coffee from and support the farmers who grow coffee in the most sustainable manner. Thus, emphasizing on sustainability at the origin.