Innovation

The innovation to ban single use straws has been benefited both society and the environment. For instance this movement has gained traction, “Starbucks is one of the largest businesses to announce it would eliminate plastic straws." Starbucks has demonstrated an impact it has on society through the influence of its movement and how they were able to convince others to follow along as well. This movement has helped society be more environmentally conscious of their products as well as provided a new way of thinking for properly recycling products.

The straw less lids help decrease the presence of straws in landfills and oceans which will also help decrease the ingestion of plastic by marine life. Plastic straws have been ending up in the seafood we consume as well as damaging marine ecosystems. “Plastic straws that end up in our oceans have a devastating effect on our species”. The innovation by Starbucks acts as a catalyst in hope for other individual efforts to follow along so that a greater positive impact is made for the environment. Starbucks and other companies have done a tremendous job in reducing the use of plastic as well as reducing pollution overall. Their decision to eliminate the use of plastic straws is setting the perfect example of how influential companies can be and how powerful of an impact they have on the environment.

Inspiration

Starbucks did not become socially responsible overnight, but they became inspired by one video where one rescuer was pulling plastic straws from the sea turtle nose which made them feel to be more conscious about the environment. After that incident, they have been closely monitoring the social problems they decided to take initiative to eliminate plastic waste in order to reduce the plastic which was causing harm to the environment. “By reducing the use of plastic straws, Starbucks’ innovation makes an effort in ocean conservation, protection of marine life and safeguarding the life on land.” quote that the manager highly supports. Starbucks believed that their innovation of going strawless lids will make their services and products which made them a value added brand name today because of their constant innovation over the years. Their strawless lid initiative is very strong because they believe if they can contribute to a better environment then their customers will be happy that the company focuses and cares for small social factors.

Overall impact

The overall impact of going straw less with their cold cups at Starbucks is going to help reduce the amount of plastic that is discarded and not recycled. Doing this will help keep our marine lives and oceans free of plastic that can do harm to the ecosystems. The benefits of being “straw less” helps not only marine life but also helps reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills or discarded in the streets. Vice President of Conservation at Ocean Conservancy, Doug Cress stated that “Starbucks straw less lid is a prime example of how innovation will help us move closer to a healthy ocean free of trash, and we are committed to working with Starbucks through our International Coastal Cleanup and our Trash Free Seas Alliance to drive positive change.

Business benefit

The Sustainable lids benefit everyone. It benefits Starbucks, because now they have lower operating costs due to ending production of plastic straws. The company is able to reallocate the funds plus the amount they saved by having less fixed costs. Into new research and product development. This also leads to a better and more sustainable environment, because there is less thrash in fact people have stated that “Starbucks are definitely cleaner and have a more comfortable vibe.”

Starbucks is a huge global company, which has an immense global impact. Just by changing this one once staple in the business. They are saving our environment by less trees being cut down, which is preserving more of our world’s precious ecosystems. Also, less plastic straws means less waste in general. Ariel, store manager of Starbucks route 4, states “That Starbucks is too big of a company for all of the straws to be recycled properly.” Most straws were being disposed of improperly and were being processed in landfills, which unlike a recycling plant have it’s waste just sitting there. At least with the new sustainable lids, people are more likely to recycle the lid then a plastic straw. This is of course one step in what would take a global initiative, but at least a step in the right direction

Social and environmental benefit

The innovation to ban single use straws has been benefiting both society and the environment to a great extent. For instance this movement has gained traction, many contributions have been made whether through physical work or money for this movement. “Starbucks is one of the largest businesses to announce it would eliminate plastic straws”. Starbucks has demonstrated a great impact it has on society through the influence of its movement and how they were able to convince others to follow along as well. This movement has helped society be more environmentally conscious of their products as well as provided a new way of thinking for properly recycling products.

The straw less lids help decrease the presence of straws in landfills and oceans which will also help decrease the ingestion of plastic by marine life. Plastic straws have been ending up in the seafood we consume as well as damaging marine ecosystems. “Plastic straws that end up in our oceans have a devastating effect on our species”. The innovation by Starbucks acts as a catalyst in hope for other individual efforts to follow along so that a greater positive impact is made for the environment. Starbucks and other companies have done a tremendous job in reducing the use of plastic as well reducing pollution overall. Their decision to eliminate the use of plastic straws is setting the perfect example of how influential companies can be and how powerful of an impact they have on the environment.

Interview

Ariel Delgado, Store Manager