Starbucks Coffee Company launched its 10th annual Global Responsibility Report last week, sharing that the company exceeded many of its goals around renewable energy and sourcing and water use, but still faces challenges in the areas of recycling, waste reduction and energy conservation.
The report outlines the company's performance and goals in 3 key areas: ethical sourcing, environmental stewardship and community involvement. "Starbucks has made significant and meaningful improvements in key areas, and recognizes the need for greater innovation, customer engagement, and policy leadership," said Ben Packard, Starbucks vice president of Global Responsibility "We will continue to set new performance standards, reach our ambitious goals and sharpen our focus on areas of greatest impact in communities and the environment."
Some key areas Starbucks exceeded its goals were:
Renewable Energy: Starbucks reached its goal to purchase renewable energy equivalent to half of the electricity used in its North American company-owned stores, by purchasing 58 percent in 2010. The company is raising its sights with a new goal to make 100 percent of the electricity used in global company-owned stores renewable energy equivalent by 2015.
Coffee Purchasing: Increased purchases of coffee sourced under C.A.F.E. Practices from 81 percent to 84 percent in 2010.
Farmer Support: Provided $14.6 million to organizations that make loans to coffee farmers, nearing its goal of $20 million by 2015.
Water Conservation: Reduced water consumption by 21.6 percent over 2008 levels, nearing the goal 25 percent reduction.
Starbucks also identified areas where it is still facing challenges and improvement is necessary to meet its internal goals. Those areas include:
Front-of-Store Recycling: Starbucks continues to support local market testing and implementation to accelerate future front-of-store recycling.
Reusable Cups: Although Starbucks served 6.4 million more beverages in reusable cups in 2010 than 2009, there is a need for considerable innovation and customer engagement to reach the 2015 goal of 25 percent of beverages made in reusable cups.
Energy Conservation: Starbucks did not achieve its goal to reduce energy consumption by 25 percent in company-owned stores by 2010. The company is now planning to achieve this goal for 25 percent energy reduction in 2015.
