Starbucks pledged to construct and convert 10.000 stores to become Greener Stores by using sustainable materials, building automation and digital signage and ESL. More than 6.000 stores in 40 markets globally are already verified. Six new Greener Stores have been awarded as stores of the year – among others in China, Japan and Turkey.
Starbucks has certified 6,091 Greener Stores, nearly doubling its portfolio in the past year, and a milestone achievement toward the company’s goal of certifying 10,000 Greener Stores globally by 2025. In markets around the world, Greener Stores energy and water savings and waste diversion help advance the company’s goal to reduce carbon emissions, water usage and landfill waste by 50% by 2030.
The company has Greener Stores in 44 markets with new markets including India, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Bahrain, Italy, France, Spain, and Costa Rica.
What’s A Greener Store?
Being certified as a Greener Store, means meeting standards across eight environmental impact areas developed in partnership with the WWF and SCS Global Services: water stewardship, energy efficiency, waste diversion, renewable energy, responsible materials, engagement, sites, communities, health, and wellbeing. Especially relevant for the digital signage industry is the recommended conversion to digital menu boards, digital drive-thru and ePaper-based electronic shelf labels (ESL).
Each Greener Store has a combination of sustainable features that help it receive its third-party verification. Some stores have obvious elements like solar panels or water recycling tanks. While others have more subtle features behind the counter like high efficiency appliances, low-emitting paint and sealants, and energy management systems as well as store practices like composting and food donation.
Greener Stores of the Year
This week, the company announced its inaugural global Greener Stores of the Year program awarding one store in each of six regions to celebrate stores exceeding in innovation and environmental impact.