"Ultimately, we hope customers will feel an enhanced sense of community, a deeper connection to our coffee heritage and a greater level of commitment to environmental consciousness," says Arthur Rubinfeld, head of Starbucks' global development. Starbucks will seek LEED certification -- an indication of environmental friendliness -- for all new company-owned stores beginning next year. || Read "Starbucks unveils eco-friendly store designs"
Dear Starbucks Suits: if you want to claim that Starbucks is "eco-friendly", and you want to use more local materials, maybe you should've transitioned to more LOCAL bakery items instead of the new "one best" recipes which are only made in four or five bakeries nationwide, frozen, and then shipped all over the country. Hm? I know this isn't part of LEED certification, but choosing local bakeries would've been a much better route than the current one for the pastries we sell. Chicagoland Starbucks locations used to have many products from Little Miss Muffin, a local company, and now we have more and more things shipped from across the country.
Posted by: Sigh | June 25, 2009 at 01:19 PM
Good luck getting those LEED certs. Its a pain of a process for businesses that were eco-minded from the start.
Also, is there anything slightly funny about a multi-nat company trying to put on a "local" face? If they really wanted to make a splash, they would go Co-op.
Posted by: bryan | June 25, 2009 at 02:28 PM
It's nice in theory, but they're turning the large University Village store in Seattle into a "Green" store, and all I can think is: isn't the greenest option to keep using what you already have? Certainly all new stores should be LEED certified, but I'm not sure about remodels.
Posted by: Megan in Seattle | June 25, 2009 at 02:29 PM
You know, SBUX, truly, seems to be a schizophrenic organization these days. Every, and I mean EVERY, idea that comes down the pike that might get the company any iota of "positive" press is pursued without, seemingly, thinking anything through. Reminds me of the dog in the movie "Up." "Hi, this device allows me to talk to you in your native language. Oh look, a fly."
How about just focusing on the coffee, the customer, the food and let the rest of the minutiae go by the wayside? In the rush to make the stores "lean," it seems as if management, as usual, is taking those savings and flushing them down the toilet instead of being good stewards of the corporation. Pity.
Posted by: Jeff | June 25, 2009 at 02:49 PM
As I read this story, I couldn't help but think of the scene in Meet The Parents where the bridal party meets at Owen Wilson's house and everything is made out of some sort of beachwood.
Posted by: Juan Valdez | June 25, 2009 at 03:12 PM
so they're going to tear up existing stores so they use new materials for a "green" store...?
Sounds like Starbucks way of thinking to me...
they're so cool...
Posted by: Pat Nerr | June 25, 2009 at 03:38 PM
Why doesn't SBUX just recycle the furnishings from all the stores that they closed?
Posted by: SBUX Alum Bill | June 25, 2009 at 04:11 PM
Recycle the new Outragious oatmeal cookies. I've been told by customers (unsolicitated) that they "are crap", "nasty," "outragiously gross".
Posted by: spence | June 25, 2009 at 04:46 PM
Why are there so manny Bitchy comments on this site? Always! All just complaints.
Posted by: Jonny | June 25, 2009 at 05:50 PM
Well I for one am really excited about the 1st store built entirely out of used cup sleeves, cigarette butts and recalled coffee grinders.
GO GREEN!
Posted by: Sneaky | June 25, 2009 at 07:02 PM
I'm waiting for the lobby floor made out of the contents of the bathroom trashcan.
Always a treat.
Posted by: Former SoCal ASM | June 26, 2009 at 02:33 AM
"Why are there so manny Bitchy comments on this site? Always! All just complaints."
Ummmm, isn't that yet another complaint?
Sorry to hear someone keeps twisting your arm and forcing you to return to this website.
Posted by: (former) FLA SM | June 26, 2009 at 05:14 AM
I think it's a good, yet ambitious goal to shoot for, but first, there are still hundreds of stores nationwide that do not recycle glass, plastic, newspaper, etc...In our area of about 100 stores, I can tell you that most (over 90%) only recycle cardboard. Just begin to think about the amount of recycling that one store that does $20K/week could do in cups, bags, lids, sleeves, etc...that's where we should start in my opinion rather than shoot for a certification for marketing purposes.
Posted by: Russ Griswald | June 26, 2009 at 05:22 AM
Jonny is right. This site is often too cranky for me to enjoy anymore.
Posted by: spence | June 26, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Bill, I believe they are...
Posted by: Herman M. | June 26, 2009 at 06:54 PM
So Starbucks has the money to redo stores to make them more eco friendly, but they still dont provide recycling because it isnt in the budget. Why not leave the stores the way they are and become truely eco friendly.
Posted by: Barista | June 30, 2009 at 07:47 PM
"Why not leave the stores the way they are and become truly eco friendly"
AMEN.
Posted by: former partner | June 30, 2009 at 11:39 PM