Starbucks goes strawless on iced beverage lids in US and Canada

17 Sep 2020 --- Starbucks is introducing strawless lids as standard for iced beverages in the US and Canada. The multinational coffeehouse giant is phasing out plastic straws worldwide as part of a strategy to move away from single-use plastic items, which it announced in January.

“As we move closer toward our 2030 target of a 50 percent reduction in waste sent to landfills, the long-standing history of innovation within Starbucks, partnership across the industry and changing consumer behavior remain fundamental to our purpose and our prosperity as an organization,” says Michael Kobori, chief sustainability officer.

Starbucks trialed new lightweight, recyclable strawless lids in select North American markets over the past year. The company is rolling out strawless lids to company-operated and licensed stores after the trials proved successful.

Starbucks designed, developed, and manufactured its strawless lid, which will now be the standard for all iced coffee, tea, espresso, and Starbucks Refreshers beverages.

The lid was modeled on the lid customers recognize from Starbucks hot drinks and has approximately nine percent less plastic than the flat lid and straw previously used for iced beverages.

Unlike straws that cannot be recycled because of their size, the strawless lid made from polypropylene meets the Association of Plastic Recyclers design guidelines for recyclability and can be recycled in many US and Canadian markets, the company says.

Starbucks designed, developed, and manufactured its strawless lid for all iced coffee, tea, espresso, and Starbucks Refreshers.“We developed and trialed several prototypes to arrive at this milestone,” notes Andy Corlett, director of global packaging solutions and innovations. Corlett’s team developed variations in lid design to match the variety of beverages Starbucks offers.

For example, the distinct lid for Nitro beverages, which began rolling out in 2018, has a slightly wider, tear-drop shaped opening, designed for the Starbucks velvety-smooth Nitro Cold Brew and beverages with Cold Foam drinking experience.

Similarly, Frappuccino blended beverages and other drinks with whipped cream will continue to have a domed lid made from recyclable plastic accompanied by a straw, except where prohibited by local law.

Straws will also remain available in stores for customers upon request.

Turning the single-use tide
Starbucks CEO, Kevin Johnson, unveiled the company’s strategy to replace single-use plastics at Davos 2020. Starbucks also pledged to expand its plant-based offerings and slash water usage in half.

“Starbucks will design any single-use packaging item for recyclability, and we are focused on reusable packaging programs to help reduce impacts on our waste infrastructure,” a Starbucks spokesperson told PackagingInsights.

“We’re testing strategies related to reusables in a variety of markets [and] committed to making our materials compostable and recyclable, but we know that ultimately, we need to enable consumers everywhere to move to reusable cups and utensils.”

Starbucks Korea was the company’s first market to eliminate straws through strawless lids and paper straw alternatives in 2018.

Starbucks Korea was the first market to eliminate straws through strawless lids and paper alternatives in 2018.In 2019, Starbucks introduced strawless lids in select markets across the US, Canada and China, and FSC-certified paper straws across the UK and Europe. 

Good news for oceans
Strawless lids and straws made from alternative materials will continue to be tested and rolled out to more markets in the coming year, Starbucks indicates.

“Last year alone, volunteers with Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup removed nearly one million straws from beaches and waterways around the world, and that’s one million too many polluting our environment,” shares Doug Cress, vice president of conservation at Ocean Conservancy.

“Starbucks strawless lid is a prime example of how innovation will help us move closer to a healthy ocean free of trash, and we are committed to working with Starbucks through our International Coastal Cleanup and our Trash Free Seas Alliance to drive positive change.”

“Our hope is that other companies follow suit and that these innovations are met with greater investment from both the public and private sectors in recycling infrastructure and markets to keep the momentum alive,” adds Cress.

Starbucks is targeting eco-conscious consumers by rolling out more plant-based offerings in selected stores across Asia from this month. The plant-based range includes products from meat substitute giants Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat, and Swedish vegan brand Oatly.

By Joshua Poole