Starbucks launches major change to its in

STARBUCKS is making a major adjustment to its in store and to-go drinks, and now customers have a chance to be rewarded for sustainable choices.

The coffee giant launched its largest reusable cup project in a pilot that started last week.

Via a partnership with Turn Systems, Starbucks plans to push forward on its sustainability goals while reducing single-use cup waste.

While the program starts with just 12 stores in Napa and Petaluma, California, Starbucks hopes to bring the pilot program to more stores soon.

The 12 stores in the pilot program will now let customers bring their own cup or borrow one of Starbuck’s reusable cups from now through October 22.

Meanwhile, for guests who want to drink their beverage in stores, they can opt between a ceramic or glass reusable cup.

“Starbucks is shifting away from single-use plastics, championing the use of recycled content, and promoting reusability, driven by a broader shift towards a circular economy,” the company said in a statement.

“The biggest thing to learn from these tests as we prepare to bring this model to more stores, is how to offer customers a way to shift away from single use cups toward a reusable to-go-coffee experience, in a way that is convenient, easy, and enjoyable.”

The program intends to incentivize customers to use the more sustainable options as each guest who returns a borrowed cup has the chance to win special prizes and rewards.

Those who bring in their own personal cup will also get 10 cents off their purchase while scoring an additional 25 bonus stars if they’re a Starbucks Rewards member.

Each reusable polypropylene cup from Starbucks averages around 100 to 120 uses, deeply cutting back on the number of paper and plastic cups the chain used in the past.

The pilot intends to analyze whether Starbucks customers will return their cups to their original store and how frequently they look to gain prizes for the reusable cup program.

“That reward can be retained in store, which can actually drive up sales in the future,” Turn Systems chief executive officer Ryan Everton said, as reported by Restaurant Dive.

“Part of our offering is transitioning reuse to be just a commodity-based item ... and actually adding more value to our clients by increasing their sales through the engagement with their customers.”

So far, Starbuck’s program relies on single-use lids, but it could add reusable lids to the future of its cup program.

The decision of Starbucks to pilot its reusable cup program comes after the chain has already worked towards lower plastic waste in its packaging.

Previously this year, the company outlined its commitment to making all plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.

Starbucks previously failed to reach its goal of 100 percent compostable and recyclable hot cups by 2022, but the coffee chain did launch hot cups made with less paper and plastic liner.

In 2019, many customers engaged in the store’s bring-your-own-cup programs, but this trend all but vanished when the pandemic hit and concerns mounted over safety and germs.

However, to this day, Starbucks still accepts personal cups for all of its beverages.

Beginning next year, they will officially be accepted at drive-thru windows as well.

The United States currently has no state or federal law requiring food chains to offer reusable containers, but other countries like Germany and France have passed their own regulations, signaling more might be to come.

“There’s a lot of legislation coming into effect forcing brands towards reuse... A lot of these major brands are trying to get ahead of it,” Everton said.

“We need to make sure we nail out some of the small kinks so we can transition to reuse really quickly when legislation comes into effect.”

Starbucks previously committed itself to cutting its waste footprint in half by 2030, and single use cups comprise 20 percent of the coffee giant’s global waste.

Before Starbucks announced its newest sustainability endeavor, the coffee chain launched a brand new fall lineup of drinks.

The beverages offered some old fall favorites to diehard Starbucks fans while also providing some new flavors for the more adventurous customer.

Returning favorites include the pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin cream cold brew, apple crisp oat milk macchiato, pumpkin cream cheese muffin, owl cake pop, and pumpkin & peptia loaf.

Meanwhile, Starbucks launched three drinks special for the 2023 fall season:

“The warm, gooey taste of apple crisp paired with a cup of coffee meld perfectly to unveil a cozy beverage customers have come to know and love at Starbucks each fall," Starbucks beverage developer Billy Altieri said of the new apple crisp shaken espresso.

Meanwhile, the new Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso features creamy oat milk to complement the light roast flavors of Starbucks Blonde Espresso.

At the end of summer, Starbucks also dropped three new seasonal drinks under its Summer Remix menu.

The drinks include the Chocolate Cream Cold Brew with Caramel Syrup in a Caramel Lined Cup as well as the Iced Chai Tea Latte with Matcha Cream Cold Foam.

If you’re looking for something a little more fruity, consider Starbucks’ blended black tea lemonade.

Starbucks has also confirmed its fall-inspired coffees and creamers will be available in grocery stores this year.

In other restaurant news, Subway was purchased by a private equity firm this week, and its 20,000 plus restaurants could be affected.