Why is Starbucks the World’s Most Sustainable Coffee Chain?

Starbucks is the largest coffee chain worldwide, with more than 32,000 stores in 80 countries.

It has established its main sustainability goal to reduce its water and carbon footprint by 50% by 2030.

Starbucks has been ranked 20th in Sustainability Magazine’s Top 250 World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2025 and is the most sustainable coffee chain.

Greener Stores initiative

Starbucks has launched its Greener Stores initiative which recognises a store’s environmental impact in areas including waste management and energy efficiency.

Through the programme, it has verified more than 9,000 stores for their sustainable practices and innovation.

Stores have been integrating practices including installing energy efficient appliances and replacing lighting with LED alternatives.

These techniques have helped Starbucks save US$60m in annual operating costs, including 30% water savings and 30% energy reduction.

Greener Stores also introduce recycling and composting services which helps with waste diversion.

Several of its stores feature clean technology projects such as EV charging and solar power that help improve local air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The company aims to have 10,000 Greener Stores certified by the end of 2025.

Marika McCauley Sine, Chief Sustainability Officer for Starbucks, says: “Thank you to our partners around the world for your passion, hard work and dedication.

“Together, let’s keep learning and taking action to make an even more positive impact on our communities and planet.”

Ethically sourced coffee

In 2013, Starbucks bought a coffee farm in Costa Rica to research how risks including climate change and diminishing natural resources impact the production of coffee.

The research has helped develop solutions to mitigate the risks and help take care of the environment.

Starbucks reached its milestone of using 99% ethically sourced coffee in 2019.

This development helps the coffee industry become more sustainable and creates stronger and more reliable supply chains.

The company has donated more than 31 million climate resilient coffee trees to farmers, which can be used to replace trees declining in productivity due to age or disease.

It also invests in diverse and high quality coffee suppliers, purchasing coffee grown by women, smaller coffee growers and from a variety of places around the world.

Sustainable coffee cup options

Starbucks provides a variety of cup options for its customers, enabling them to make conscious choices about their environmental footprint.

In its cafés, drinks will be served in ceramic mugs and glasses or customers can bring in their own personal cups which eliminates the need for single-use packaging.

In some markets, Starbucks offers returnable or compostable cups instead of single-use coffee cups.

Since allowing customers to bring their own cups in the US, Starbucks has removed an average of two million cups per month from waste streams.

The chain has also redesigned its straws to be made using compostable material or paper.

It is working on reducing waste and accelerating reuse and recycling by collaborating with partners and community business leaders.

This includes a US$10m investment in Circular Services to improve recycling infrastructure and work towards a circular economy.

Starbucks has launched its Partners for Sustainability project which involves volunteers leading environmental initiatives in their communities across the world.

This includes activities such as planting trees, cleaning beaches and hosting educational workshops about sustainable practices.

Marika said on LinkedIn: “Thank you partners for all you do - from offering reusable cups to donating unsold food to volunteering locally.

“Last year, Partners for Sustainability Network members volunteered 18,600+ hours and secured 600+ grants totalling US$1.7m for nonprofits - let’s keep making a difference together!”