I’ll have a half-caf skinny clean energy latte

Posted on May 15, 2008
Filed Under Uncategorized |

by Willy Ritch

Think clean energy isn’t a reliable, available, affordable source of energy? You better not tell Starbucks.

In their annual “Corporate Social Responsiblity” report, Starbucks says they plan to get 50% of their energy from clean energy sources by 2010. On top of that, the company is shooting for a 25% reduction in energy usage through energy efficiency. And then there are the new stores (because, after all, it’s so hard to find a Starbucks nearby.)

By 2010, all new construction will incorporate green building principles. Starbucks said it would build four test stores in various regions of the world to examine cutting edge energy and water reduction technologies. On average, Starbucks’ 15,011 company-operated stores in 43 countries use roughly 25 gallons of water and 6.78 kilowatt-hours of electricity per square foot each.

Starbucks is also planning on making ceramic mugs standard for in-store coffee drinkers and has some kind of scheme to get us to use travel mugs.