Starbucks brings back ‘eco-friendly’ plastic straws

Paper straws provided by Starbucks Korea / Courtesy of Starbucks Korea

Starbucks has reintroduced plastic straws made from plant-based materials at about 200 stores nationwide as part of a pilot program, responding to customer complaints about paper straws.

Starting Wednesday, Starbucks Korea began offering both paper and plastic straws at select locations, mainly near hospitals and residential areas, frequented by patients, young children and the elderly, according to the Korean branch of the Seattle-based coffee company.

“Reflecting various customer opinions that patients and young children find paper straws inconvenient, we are first introducing plant-based plastic straws on a trial basis at about 200 stores,” a Starbucks Korea official said.

Starbucks Korea originally adopted paper straws in 2018 to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment. However, many customers complained about the sogginess and unpleasant taste associated with paper straws.

The newly introduced plastic straws are made from sugarcane-based materials instead of conventional petroleum-based plastics and are expected to help reduce carbon emissions, the company said.

In 2023, the environment ministry suspended a ban on plastic straws and paper cups in cafes to ease the economic burden on small business owners facing inflation, rising production costs and soaring interest rates.