Starbucks to Stop Plastic Straw Use Internationally by 2020

Starbucks announced on Monday that it will stop their use of plastic straws across the globe by the year 2020.

According to Eco-Cycle, Americans alone use around 500 million single-use plastic straws. The removal is spurred by consumer concern about straws that pollute oceans and waterways.

The company has more than 28,000 stores globally and 50% of the drinks sold are cold, meaning they come with a straw.


To be more eco-friendly, the coffee company will use recyclable, strawless lids. The decision will stop more than 1 billion plastic straws from entering landfills.

Kevin Johnson, president and CEO of Starbucks, issued a statement that the elimination of plastic straws will be a “significant milestone to achieve our global aspiration of sustainable coffee.”

The new lids will be used for all iced beverages, including coffee, espresso, and tea drinks. It is already available in more than 8,000 of North American stores, but only used for the Draft Nitro and Cold Foam beverages.

Customers wishing to use a straw will have an alternative-material option made from paper or compostable plastic. These straws will also be available for the signature Frappucino beverage.

Starbucks is one of many companies planning to create more sustainable business practices. McDonald’s announced last month that it will begin using alternatives to plastic straws at multiple U.S. locations this year.

Other companies joining the eco-friendly movement include Bon Apetit Management, Alaska Airlines, Royal Caribbean, and Hilton hotels.

A ban on plastic straws took place in Starbucks’ hometown of Seattle on July 1. This city will be the first to move to strawless lids and the change will spread across North America periodically. The global change will follow, beginning in France, the Netherlands, and then the United Kingdom.