Starbucks has taken a significant step towards reducing waste by launching a collaborative city-wide returnable cup trial in Petaluma, California. The project, which runs from August 5 to October 28, 2024, aims to make reusable cups the default option for takeaway drinks. By partnering with NextGen Consortium, a company focused on increasing sustainable solutions, Starbucks is testing a new model that prioritizes convenience and ubiquity. The trial involves eight Starbucks stores and 30 local businesses, with 60 purple drop-off return bins scattered throughout the city. Customers can return their reusable cups, which will then be professionally cleaned, sanitized, and recirculated. This initiative is part of Starbucks' environmental promise to make all customer-facing packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable. As Director of Reusables Helen Kao puts it, "How do we all do our part and help take small steps to make a collective impact for our communities?" This project has the potential to drive systems change and make reusable cups the cultural norm. With big brands like The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo on board, this trial could pave the way for a more sustainable future.
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