Beyond the cup. - Starbucks

Hot Beverage Paper CupsIn 2005, Starbucks purchased 1.9 billion hot beverage cupsthat were comprised of approximately 61.3 million pounds(27.8 million kilograms) of virgin tree fiber. To lessen theenvironmental impact associated with our paper cups, wetested a newly developed hot beverage paper cup that contains10 percent post-consumer recycled paper fiber and, as a result,uses less virgin tree fiber. The test was conducted followingfour years of collaboration with our suppliers, and after theU.S. Food and Drug Administration reviewed and accepteda new process developed by our paper fiber supplier. Theprocess incorporates post-consumer recycled content in thepackaging materials that come into direct contact with food.As a result, Starbucks is introducing the first-ever paper cupcontaining 10 percent post-consumer paper fiber.Beginning in 2006, we will introduce the new paper cups inall U.S. company-operated and licensed Starbucks stores, amove that will reduce our need for an estimated five millionpounds (2.27 million kilograms) of virgin tree fiber annually.Although we do not have immediate plans to distributethe new cups outside North America, we are committed toworking with our international business units in hopes offinding similar opportunities to reduce our consumption ofvirgin tree fiber.Q: “Adding 10 percent recycledcontent to your cups is a start, butit’s a pretty miniscule amount. Whyisn’t Starbucks doing more?”–Dr. Allen Hershkowitz,Natural Resources Defense CouncilA: We recognize that adding 10 percent postconsumerrecycled material is a conservative firststep, but we believe it is an important one for usand the food packaging industry. Increasing therecycled fiber in any paper product for environmentalreasons must be balanced with product durabilityand safety considerations. In the future, we willlook for ways to increase the percentage of postconsumerrecycled fiber contained in our cups, butfirst we want to be assured of the quality, safetyand durability of these new cups. In the meantime,we are actively exploring additional innovations toreduce the environmental impacts of our papercups and other packaging.JOURNEY OF A STARBUCKS PAPER CUPRECYCLED PAPER PULP MILL PAPER MILL CUP MANUFACTURER157High-grade office paper iscollected (and inspected).2Recycled pulp is combinedwith virgin tree fiber to createthe “cup stock” (with 10 percentrecycled material).Rolls are cut into appropriatesizes (for printing).83Paper baled and sentto a pulper.6Cup stock is made intorolls and shipped to themanufacturing facility.Cut sheets are printed.9Paper is broken downinto a slurry.Sheets are formed into thenew Starbucks cup.4Recycled pulp is baled andsent to the paper mill.57ENVIRONMENT