Starbucks is reinventing the store experience with a new design approach inspired by Starbucks™ Shared Planet™, our ongoing commitment to ethical sourcing, environmental stewardship and community involvement.
We’re working to strengthen our customers’ sense of community and reduce our impact on the planet by locally sourcing materials and incorporating reused and recycled elements where possible. We want each new or renovated Starbucks store to reflect the character of its surrounding neighborhood, allowing customers to feel truly at home when visiting “their” store and giving them opportunities for discovery at our other locations around the world.
We’ve placed plaques throughout our new concept stores to identify and explain specific green design and construction elements. We hope these markers not only inform customers about our environmental efforts, but motivate them to make environmentally responsible choices once they leave our stores.
Reused & Recycled Materials 
- We reduced construction waste by preserving existing building elements where possible, including some of the original walls and panelling
- An old door was repurposed to create our merchandise display
- The countertops were made from an old wooden bench that was given a second life here in our store
- The community table and leather chairs were found in an antique market and restored
- The tables were made using recycled antique tiles
- The mural was created using burlap bags from one of our roasting facilities – its imagery reflects the origins of our coffee beans
- Fifty percent of the wood used to build this store was repurposed from other Starbucks stores
- Scrap leather obtained from shoe and automobile factories was used on the face of the bar
- The walk-off mats at our entrances were made using recycled rubber from aircraft tires
Water & Energy Conservation
- Low-flow faucets and waterless urinals in our restrooms reduce our water consumption by 40 percent
- An automated system controls the level of electric-powered light used inside the store, taking advantage of sunlight and reducing energy consumption
- An automated system controls ventilation, temperature and the level of carbon dioxide inside the store, reducing energy consumption and maximizing customer comfort
- Efficient air conditioning equipment and LED light bulbs reduce our energy consumption by 30 percent
Waste Reduction
- During construction, wood, metal, cement and other waste materials were separated and recycled
- Spent coffee grounds are donated to customers and local organizations, providing valuable plant nutrition when combined with compost
- By using one of our ceramic mugs or bringing in a reusable tumbler, partners and customers can help us reduce waste
Store Environment
- Ninety percent of the new wood used to build this store is Forest Stewardship Council certified, which means it has been responsibly sourced
- All paints, sealants and adhesives used in the construction of our store are low volatile organic compounds, which are non-toxic and prevent interference with our coffee aroma
- A majority of the furniture used in this store is from the local area
- A special area for bicycles encourages our partners and customers to reduce their transportation footprint
For More Information
If you have questions or need more information, you may visit starbucks.com. For more information regarding Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ visit www.starbucks.com/sharedplanet. For news media, please contact us at (206) 318-7100 or press@starbucks.com. © 2009 Starbucks Coffee Company. All rights reserved.
