On December 6, Starbucks launched new biodegradable plant-based straws in its stores in Japan, and starting in March 2025, they will be available in Starbucks stores across Japan. This is another important move in support of the company's environmental commitment to actively utilize resources and its pledge to reduce waste by half by 2030.
This new straw is made from Green Planet®, a plant-based biodegradable bio polymer. Utilizing vegetable oil as its main ingredient, rather than petroleum derivatives, this new straw naturally degrades to carbon dioxide (CO₂) and microorganisms in the soil, mitigating the problem of ocean pollution from waste plastics, including micro plastics. Over its life cycle, this straw emits less CO₂ than the FSLIC-certified paper straws currently supplied by Starbucks, resulting in half the weight of the straws discarded in Starbucks stores.
This innovation comes from Starbucks delivering the experience one cup at a time, every day, in all of its stores in Japan. The company developed these new straws using valuable input from partners and customers to balance environmental impact and user experience. Strength, durability and smoothness are at the core of their design, while maintaining the iconic Starbucks green color.
Green Planet® straws are currently available at 32 Starbucks stores in Okinawa Prefecture for customers purchasing chilled beverages, such as Cappuccinos. Starting in March 2025, they will be available at all Starbucks stores in Japan. Subsequently, by early April 2025, thicker straws for seasonal Cappuccino drinks will be available at all stores in Japan.
Starbucks began transitioning from petroleum-derived plastic straws for iced beverages in 2018 to introduce FSLIC-certified paper straws in Japanese stores in 2020 and thicker straws in 2021. To further reduce waste, Starbucks introduced FSLIC-certified paper cups and utensils made from biomass for takeout orders and began offering customers iced beverages in resin cups to enjoy in-store.
Starbucks is accelerating its efforts to support the company's environmental commitment in Japan. Nearly 200 stores are now certified as “Green Store” eco-friendly retailers. About 900 locations recycle coffee grounds, eliminating one of the largest amounts of food waste generated in every store.
