Green Daily

I vaguely remember Starbucks using real mugs and plates when they first opened and then they went to all disposable.

I agree that some people would prefer a disposable to-go cup, but there are a lot of people who hang out there who might enjoy a real mug.

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That's weird in the UK Starbucks have always served coffee for drinking in. I think they should stop paper cups altogether and insist you bring your own.

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You can already get a real mug at Panera Bread. Real silverware too.

I haven't gone to Starbucks in years because they are vastly overpriced. I think it's rather hypocritical of them to pretend they care about the environment at this point. How many locations have built on drive up windows so you can waste even more gas while idling away in line?

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Sometimes I wonder if the water I use to wash the mug and the water/energy I use to wash the towels that I dry the mug with are worse for the environment than just using a paper cup. Since there is no dishwasher at work and only paper towels, I order coffee with a paper cup, no sleeve, and then I use the same cup for refills before throwing it out.

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Wow, what a weird, uninformed blog. I'm a huge Starbucks fan, and while every has a right to their opinion, it's helpful to get your facts right when trying to convince your readers of your point, you know?

1. What is a "hyper-caffeinated coffee beverage"?
2. St.Arbucks has always made ceramic mugs available to customers. What has changed is that they are more likely to suggest it to customers rather than waiting for them to ask. But they've always been there....if you've actually gone to one.
3. Likewise, coffee grounds have been available to customers for several years. And while you may trivialize the sacrifice, it means something to those of us who garden and appreciate the give back to the community. But I suppose you would think my recyclying newspapers of being a minor sacrifice too, right?
4. What's the percentage of customers who park themselves in there for long periods of time? Hello? Is that a serious question?

No hard feelings - I'd even buy you a cup of Pike Place Market, if I believed you actually knew what the inside of a Starbucks looked like!

Peace

Barista Joe
www.Starbucksters.com

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Before we get all exited about ceramic being the better material I would like to know:

1) How long is the statistic life-span of a ceramic cup in a store like Starbucks?
2) How much energy and resources does it require to create, transport, wash, dispose off, etc. one of those ceramic cups during its entire life-span?
3) How much energy and resources does it require to create, transport, and dispose off (or recycle) one of the paper cups during its entire life span?
4) Can materials in either case be reused or at least recreated?
5) How much energy and resources does that cost?

To make a comparison about energy and resource consumption you need more than just perceived truths, you need facts.

When the above questions can be answered, a rational approach is possible. All other attempts are just a marketing strategy to make a company look better in the eye of the uninformed public.

I am all in favor of bringing your own cup and rinsing it with a bit of COLD water. I imagine that should be enough, but I am not a coffee drinker.

Karsten
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http://www.polluteless.com
Practical Advice to Pollute Less

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I get your point about most people getting Starbucks to go but every little bit helps. What doesn't help is to ride them about how small the steps are that they are taking.

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Karsten,
I see your point. My point is that the article does not appear to me to be a "yes, but...", it appears to be saying since you aren't doing everything we think you should be doing don't bother. Very few corporations are going to take all the steps that the people on this site find necessary. No large corporation is going to make changes that will hurt their bottom line. As sad as that is it's fact. I believe that every bit helps because there is no way that there is going to be a mass revelation among consumers that will make them take steps to pressure the corporations to do more.
I think saying if you aren't going to do everything possible then don't bother is more damaging. Most people can't do everything possible to make a difference. For instance I can not take public transportation to work, or afford to buy a hybrid right now. I do what I can like switching all my lights to cfl's, recycling, limiting my driving, and changing my driving habits to conserve fuel. Since I can't take all the steps should I just not bother? Should I start driving like a bat out of hell and tossing everything in the trash?
I agree that Starbucks should and can do more. I just think that we should be more supportive of the steps that they are taking now instead of mocking them and saying that the idea will not work.

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John: It does not seem to me that you are content with how much you can accomplish but are doing what you can and know what you can do better. I am afraid, that is more than what most do.

My big worries are that those who do all those little things (and teach their kids to do the same) believe that they do enough. Reducing your ecological impact by 80% has to be about the hardest thing to do if you live in North America. Nevertheless, it may be necessary and may come before we are ready for it. I thought about participating during this day when many people turned off their lights for one hour. But we had guests and I forgot. I also forgot the name of that day. Then I calculated that my family alone saved more energy just by not using the dryer all winter than the whole town (!) if they had participated that one hour.

I personally do not believe that it will be governments or corporations who will create the change. Those two just follow the people who make up those entities. It has to be each individual doing his/her best. Then it may happen. But not with recycling silly things, using paper instead of plastic, or installing energy saving light bulbs. How about using less hot water, turning down the heat in your house, living in a small house, eating less meat, etc? Possible, much harder, and really BIG impact! Enough? Don't know.

Karsten
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http://www.polluteless.com
Practical Advice to Pollute Less

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