Starbucks’ green commitment

International coffee house Starbucks has reaffirmed the company’s green values in its annual report on social responsibility.

The report stated that last year Starbucks sourced 65% of its coffee from Coffee and Farmers Equity (CAFE) practices, and highlighted the company’s aim of increasing this figure to 80% by 2013.

The CAFE scheme, launched by Starbucks in 2004, aims to reward coffee farmers who engage in producing high quality produce through ethical and environmentally-aware means.

Starbucks chief executive Howard Schultz said that even though it was a “time of change” for the company, its “long-standing commitment to conducting business in a responsible and ethical manner” would remain.

The report, which received outside verification from an independent consultancy firm, said the company would re-establish ceramic mugs for customers as part of a global commitment towards reducing waste from its stores.

Much of the report focused on each store’s relationship with its surroundings, stating that Starbucks donated US $18 million to local communities last year.

“We will deepen our approach by continuing to integrate social and environmental responsibility into every aspect of our business,” pledged Schultz.

With more than 16,000 stores across the globe, the group is one of the most recognised brands in the world today.

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