Starbucks Korea switching to paper straws this year

Samples of paper straws to be used at Starbucks coffee shops in Korea / Courtesy of Starbucks Coffee Korea

By Park Jae-hyuk

Starbucks Coffee Korea has decided to switch to paper straws this year, in line with its U.S. headquarters' efforts to eliminate plastic straws from 28,000 Starbucks coffee shops worldwide by 2020 to fight ocean pollution, the global coffee shop chain's local affiliate said Tuesday.

Paper straws will be gradually introduced at 1,180 Starbucks coffee shops here after a trial period.

According to Starbucks Coffee Korea, it uses 180 million plastic straws a year, which collectively weigh 126 tons and measure 37,800 kilometers in length.

The company will also use specially designed lids for customers to drink cold beverages without straws.

Plastic products for packaging will disappear from Starbucks stores here as well, as the stores will package their products with eco-friendly materials.

Starbucks Coffee Korea said it will stop using bubble wrap and will use paper for packaging its merchandise.

Plastic bags which have been used for take-out of multiple beverages will disappear as well, because the coffee shop chain will use paper bags as soon as it uses up the remaining plastic carrier bags.

The recent decision is a part of the Greener Starbucks Korea campaign, according to the company. Starbucks Coffee Korea said it established a taskforce in March for the project.

“Eco-friendly business management is unavoidable for future generations,” Starbucks Coffee Korea CEO Lee Seock-koo said. “The Greener Starbucks Korea campaign shows our strong determination to preserve the environment. It is also a promise to our customers. We will try our best to have a positive influence on the environment.”

In December 2016, Starbucks Coffee Korea began issuing digital receipts to reduce the use of paper. The company has also offered benefits to customers using their own cups at Starbucks stores.