None of Starbucks' 'Widely Recyclable' Cups Ended Up at a Recycling Facility
3 hours ago
- #corporate accountability
- #plastic waste
- #recycling fraud
- Beyond Plastics investigated Starbucks' polypropylene cold cups recycling claims using Bluetooth trackers.
- None of the tracked cups from Starbucks recycling bins ended up at recycling facilities.
- Cups went to landfills, incinerators, waste-transfer stations, or material recovery facilities.
- Many Starbucks stores lacked recycling options or specified cups go to landfills.
- Starbucks claims cups are 'widely recyclable', but U.S. plastic recycling rate is under 6%.
- Polypropylene recycling is limited in the U.S., with few facilities accepting it.
- Contamination and low value make polypropylene unlikely to be recycled economically.
- Starbucks uses plastic cups for most cold drinks but has reusable packaging goals.
- Beyond Plastics calls for Starbucks to stop misleading claims and prioritize reusable alternatives.