Starbucks Says They'll Drop Plastic Straws By 2020

Starbucks announced today that they would begin phasing out the use of plastic straws at all its stores worldwide, citing an environmental threat to the world's oceans. 

This makes Starbucks the largest food-and-beverage company to commit to eliminating the plastic straws from its stores. The company says their plan is to replace the plastic straws with those made from biodegradable material, like paper, and specially designed lids.

The Seattle-based coffee giant recently saw its hometown ban plastic straws, with several other cities in the U.S. like San Francisco and New York, considering similar proposals.

“For our partners and customers, this is a significant milestone to achieve our global aspiration of sustainable coffee, served to our customers in more sustainable ways,” said Kevin Johnson, president and chief executive officer for Starbucks.

Plastic straws have become a hot-button issue in many boardrooms across the U.S. as viral videos like one showing researchers removing a plastic straw from a sea turtle's bleeding nose, and news of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, prompt companies to take a second look at more ocean-friendly alternatives. 

McDonald's has also said they plan on removing plastic straws from their stores in the U.K. and Ireland by next year and test different straws in some U.S. locations. 

Customers in Seattle and Vancouver will be the first to see the new strawless lids roll out this fall, with phased rollouts planned within the U.S. and Canada in 2019. Global distribution of the strawless lids will follow after that. 

The move by Starbucks was hailed by several environmental groups, saying it is bringing attention to a big problem that people don't normally think about. 

“Starbucks goal to eliminate plastic straws by 2020 from their stores globally represents the company’s forward thinking in tackling the material waste challenge in totality,” said Erin Simon, director of sustainability research & development and material science at World Wildlife Fund, U.S. “Plastic straws that end up in our oceans have a devastating effect on species. As we partner with Starbucks in waste reduction initiatives such as Next Gen Consortium Cup Challenge and WWF’s Cascading Materials Vision, we hope others will follow in their footsteps.”

“Starbucks decision to phase out single-use plastic straws is a shining example of the important role that companies can play in stemming the tide of ocean plastic. With eight million metric tons of plastic entering the ocean every year, we cannot afford to let industry sit on the sidelines, and we are grateful for Starbucks leadership in this space,” said Nicholas Mallos, director of Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas program.

Photo: Getty Images