Starbucks promotes 'Earth Day'
Starbucks Coffee Korea employees show how to get a coffee tumbler with 10 used paper cups at Seoul Plaza. The firm will host the exchange event at the plaza on April 22 to mark Earth Day. Courtesy of Starbucks Coffee Korea
By Park Si-soo
“Bring 10 used paper cups to get a coffee tumbler.”
This is the slogan for an environment protection campaign Starbucks Coffee Korea will host to mark Earth Day, which falls on April 22.
The company has stockpiled 1,000 tumblers for the event that will kick off at 11:30 a.m. at Seoul Plaza. During the event, it will also distribute 3,000 flower pots and compost made from coffee grounds.
This is the first event of its kind hosted by the Korean unit of the international coffeehouse.
“This is an action to participate in Seoul City’s year-long environmental initiative called Seoul Garden City Campaign,” Starbucks said in a statement. Early this month, it launched online promotional campaigns, one of which is through YouTube, for the event.
There is no requirement in terms of size and types of used paper cups, but one tumbler and one flower pot will be given per person.
With more than 10,000 used paper cups collected during the event, Starbucks will be showing a “Green Art Performance” where citizens erect a mock tree with messages underlining the importance of environment protection.
On top of this, all the firm’s outlets in Korea will be offering visitors a cup of brewed coffee for free from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the same day.
“Less use of paper cups is a first step in environmental protection initiatives,” said Oh Hai-young, director general of Seoul City in charge of the campaign.
Lee Seok-koo, CEO of Starbucks Coffee Korea, said, “Starbucks will continue to communicate with local communities where our partners (employees) live their lives, serve as a catalyst for positive change and take part in more community service events."