The B.C. store was constructed by Vancouver-based Nexii in just six days with near-zero construction waste

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Starbucks Canada today announced it will open a first-of-its-kind Starbucks drive-thru store in Canada, assembled in just six days, with near-zero construction waste and designed to reduce energy needs for heating and cooling compared to standard construction builds.

According to the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.cagbc.org/News/EN/2020/20200901_News_Release.aspx" target="_blank">Canada Green Building Council</a>, buildings are responsible for almost 40% of global carbon emissions and 50% of global material use.&nbsp; Designed, manufactured and constructed by Vancouver-based green building company, Nexii Building Solutions, the Starbucks drive-thru store – set to open in early 2021 in Abbotsford, B.C. – represents a significant step forward in the company’s aspirations to operate more efficient stores, a key component of the company’s global sustainability strategy which aspires to store more carbon than the company emits; reduce waste sent to landfills; and provide more freshwater than the company uses.&nbsp; Starbucks has set ambitious sustainability targets to cut its carbon, water, and waste footprints in half by 2030.

“Buildings and construction can have a substantial impact on Canada’s environmental goals,” says Catherine Anderson, vice president of Store Development at Starbucks Canada. “Working with like-minded innovators like Nexii, we are excited to lead the industry in modelling the benefits of green construction and share what we learn with others to help action meaningful, global change.”

Starbucks has been a global leader in designing its stores to achieve LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification standards since 2005, ensuring energy and water efficiencies. As a new-build construction project, the Starbucks Abbotsford drive-thru store was assembled in just six days - the result of Nexii’s unique precision-manufacturing process, whereby panels for the store’s roof and walls were designed and manufactured offsite. Through optimized manufacturing and simplified assembly, this building process reduces construction waste relative to typical industry practices.&nbsp;

“All aspects of the Nexii system – from the products we create to the way we assemble our buildings – are designed with sustainability at the core, so that we can create affordable, green buildings,” says Stephen Sidwell, CEO of Nexii, who adds thatas Nexii panels create a thermally efficient, airtight envelope, the Starbucks building will require less energy to heat and cool compared to standard construction builds, greatly improving energy efficiency over its building lifecycle, lowering operating costs.

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Despite challenges resulting from COVID-19, Starbucks remains steadfast on making progress against its 2030 sustainability goals. Since January, the company has expanded plant-based menu options and found better ways to manage waste, is making progress against eliminating plastic straws and introduced a recyclable strawless lid in all stores in Canada. These investments join a growing list of sustainability goals at Starbucks in Canada including:

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Please <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/starbucks-sustainability-timeline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here</a> for a timeline of Starbucks sustainability initiatives.

Starbucks Canada today announced it will open a first-of-its-kind, sustainably constructed Starbucks drive-thru store in Canada, assembled in just six days, with near-zero construction waste and designed to reduce energy needs for heating and cooling compared to standard construction builds.

First-of-its-Kind Sustainably Constructed Starbucks Store to Open in Canada

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Starbucks Canada

First-of-its-Kind Starbucks Store to Open in Canada

https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2020/first-of-its-kind-sustainably-constructed-starbucks-store-to-open-in-canada/

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On its journey to develop a more recyclable and compostable hot cup solution by 2022, Starbucks announced today details for in-market testing of a more sustainable cup technology from the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/closed-loop-partners-announces-12-winners-of-the-nextgen-cup-challenge/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="NextGen Cup Challenge (opens in a new tab)">NextGen Cup Challenge</a>. Starting on Monday, March 9th, Vancouver will be included in the cities trailing the new BioPBS™-lined cup, with additional market tests running in Seattle, San Francisco, New York and London.

The tests are designed to provide key insights and learnings into the partner (employee) and customer in-store experience with the goal of no noticeable differences in performance between the new cup and current cup. In addition, in conjunction with Closed Loop Partners, Starbucks is conducting separate tests designed to validate that this particular cup technology can be recycled more readily than the current cup. 

In January, Starbucks <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/kevin-johnson-letter-sustainability/" target="_blank">announced a multi-decade aspiration</a> to be resource positive, giving more than it takes from the planet. As part of its sustainability commitment, the company is focusing on ways to better manage its waste, both in Starbucks stores and in the communities it serves by ensuring more reuse and recycling. While this cup trial is an exciting step forward, Starbucks will continue to evaluate additional NextGen Cup Challenge winning concepts and cup technologies, as well as learn from other reusable and recyclable innovations to find the most sustainable solutions for its business, partners and customers.

<a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/nextgen-cup-fact-sheet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Read our fact sheet for more information. (opens in a new tab)">Read our fact sheet for more information.</a>

Starbucks announced today details for in-market testing of a more sustainable cup technology from the NextGen Cup Challenge.

Starbucks Compostable Cup Pilot to Begin in Vancouver This Week

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https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2020/compostable-cup-pilot/

Sustainability has been at our core since the beginning, back when Starbucks began in 1971.&nbsp; Over the years, with the help of our partners, customers, industry experts and advocates, we’ve looked for ways to help protect our planet, including introducing a cup sleeve made from recycled content, ethically sourcing 99 percent of our coffee, co-developing the LEED for Retail program, investments in renewable energy, championing the creation of a recyclable and compostable paper to-go cup and more. We recently announced a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/kevin-johnson-letter-sustainability/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="new sustainability commitment (opens in a new tab)">new sustainability commitment</a> to be resource positive, including preliminary goals of reducing carbon, water and waste 50 percent by 2030.

To learn more, read on for an at-a-glance look at Starbucks sustainability milestones: 

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Opens its first store in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, selling whole bean coffee, tea and spices.

Begins its first test of a coffeehouse concept, serving to-go beverages in paper cups.

Unveils Starbucks Mission Statement: “To establish Starbucks as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world while maintaining our uncompromising principles as we grow.”

Establishes environmental mission statement, committing to “a role of environmental leadership in all facets of our business.”

Rolls out <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2015/starbucks-coffee-grounds-for-the-garden/" target="_blank">Grounds for Your Garden</a> program in U.S. and Canada.

Establishes a relationship with the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund to explore ways to reduce the environmental impact of its cups.

Introduced soymilk, Starbucks first non-dairy milk alternative.

Develops a cup sleeve made from recycled content to help eliminate the practice of double-cupping.

Establishes The Starbucks Foundation, whose mission is to strengthen communities around the world by creating opportunities for populations that face barriers, advancing sustainability initiatives, and promoting civic engagement.

Forms partnership with Conservation International to create Starbucks first ethical sourcing program. 

Issues its first <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.starbucks.com/responsibility/global-report" target="_blank">Corporate Social Responsibility Report</a>.

Introduces ethical coffee-sourcing guidelines developed in partnership with Conservation International.

Partners with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to develop the LEED for Retail program.

Launches C.A.F.E. (Coffee and Farmer Equity) Practices with Conservation International, with SCS Global Services overseeing the verification system of suppliers. 

Opens first Farmer Support Center opened in Costa Rica. Since then, eight other centers have opened around the world to support coffee farmers with climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Publicly reports its first inventory of greenhouse gas emissions.

Makes its first renewable energy purchase, equivalent to 5 percent of U.S. stores electricity consumption. 

Designs and builds its first LEED certified store in Hillsboro, Ore.

Quadruples renewable energy purchases to equal 20 percent and begins buying renewable energy certificates (RECs) in partnership with World Resources Institute’s Green Power Market Development Group. Designated as one of the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-02/documents/2006awards.pdf" target="_blank">U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partner of the Year</a>.

Launches the retail industry’s first hot beverage paper cup with 10 percent post-consumer recycled fiber (PCF).

Announces 2015 “Shared Planet” commitments, including: ethically source 100 percent of its coffee; develop a recyclable cup and increase cup reusability; implement front-of-house recycling and reduce energy consumption in stores; build LEED certified company-operated stores and cover 100 percent of U.S. store operations with renewable energy. Implements global LED lighting conversion program. 

Commits $20 million to a variety of farmer loan funds, providing coffee farmers access to capital to cover expenses during the growing and harvesting cycles and make strategic investments in their farms. 

Partners with Conservation International to launch climate change campaign and five-year global commitment to support farming communities and encourage the protection of their land, water and forests.

Introduces a new polypropylene plastic cup that uses 15 percent less plastic than previous cups and emits 45 percent less greenhouse gas during production.

Hosts first Cup Summit in Seattle, inviting local governments, cup manufacturers, recyclers and stakeholders to find a comprehensive recyclable cup solution.

Opens Farmer Support Center in Kigali, Rwanda.

Unveils new, locally relevant design strategy to reduce environmental impact and incorporate reused and recycled elements. Starbucks becomes one of the first retailers to join USGBC’s LEED Volume Certification pilot program.

<a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2009/starbucks-opens-leed-certified-coffee-roasting-plant/" target="_blank">Opens LEED-certified roasting plant</a> in Sandy Run, S.C.

Hosts second Cup Summit in Boston and announces Paper Recovery Alliance with the Foodservice Packaging Institute.

Opens Farmer Support Center in Mbeya, Tanzania.

Rolls out <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2015/earthsleeve-global-rollout/" target="_blank">cup sleeves</a> made from less paper and more post-consumer content, saving nearly 100,000 trees each year.

Starbucks Mexico opened its <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.starbucks.com/coffeehouse/store-design/chalpultepec-reforma" target="_blank">first LEED® certified store</a> and achieved the Silver Certification level, making it the first LEED® Silver store in Latin America.

Committed to helping coffee growers and workers who represent Starbucks collective supply chain, Starbucks opens <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/starbucks-farmer-support-centers/" target="_blank">its second Farmer Support Center</a> in Latin American and the Caribbean region in Manizales, Colombia.

Opens its first <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2013/innovative-new-drive-thrus/" target="_blank">store made from reclaimed end-of-life shipping containers</a>. Starbucks would go on to open more than 45 of these modular stores in the United States, and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/starbucks-opens-first-container-store-in-taiwan/" target="_blank">more around the world</a>.

Opens Farmer Support Centers in Manizales, Colombia and Yunnan, China.

Purchases Hacienda Alsacia, its first 240-hectare coffee farm in Costa Rica, to serve as a global agronomy Research and Development facility and working farm. 

Offers a $1 reusable cup in the U.S. and Canada, and a £1 cup in the United Kingdom to help reduce cup waste.

Starbucks Japan offers environmentally friendly napkins made from 70 percent post-consumer recycled milk-carton fiber and 30 percent FSC® certified paper. 

Opens 500th LEED® certified store, more than any other retailer in the world.

<a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://news.starbucks.com/news/recycling-in-one-of-the-worlds-largest-coffee-roasting-plants" target="_blank">York Roasting Plant</a> achieves 100 percent zero waste certification.

Is a founding partner with Conservation International and other industry leaders to launch the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2015/making-coffee-the-worlds-first-sustainably-sourced-agriculture-product/" target="_blank">Sustainable Coffee Challenge</a>, an effort to make coffee the world’s first sustainable agricultural product.

Launches <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2016/one-bag-for-every-tree-10-million-trees-milestone/" target="_blank">One Tree for Every Bag</a> program, which provides more than 25 million rust-resistant coffee trees to farmers whose farms are affected by coffee rust.

Purchases enough renewable energy to power 100% of its company-operated stores in the U.S., Canada and UK.

Reaches <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2015/starbucks-ethical-sourcing-program/">99 percent ethically-sourced</a> coffee milestone with Conservation International.

Achieves its 25 percent water reduction target through global water conservation measures.

Announces additional commitment of $30 million as part of its <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2015/starbucks-more-than-doubles-global-farmer-loan-commitment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">Global Farmer Fund</a> program, which supports coffee farmers in improving the infrastructure on their farms and replacing older coffee trees with new ones.

Introduces coconutmilk, a non-dairy milk alternative.

Completes global rollout of <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2015/earthsleeve-global-rollout/" target="_blank">new cup sleeves</a>, which are made from less paper and more post-consumer fiber.

Introduces almondmilk, a non-dairy milk alternative.

Issues its first Sustainability Bond in the United States.

Reaches milestone of <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://news.starbucks.com/news/starbucks-opens-1000th-leed-certified-store" target="_blank">1,000 LEED certified stores</a> in 20 countries, including the historic Starbucks Roastery in Seattle.

Opens its third Farmers Support Center in Latin America, in Chiapas, Mexico, to offer technical support to coffee producers.

Partners with Feeding America to launch its <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2016/starbucks-food-donation-program/" target="_blank">FoodShare food donation program</a> with a goal to rescue 100 percent of food available to donate from U.S. stores by the end of 2020.

Launches <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2015/starbucks-partners-for-sustainability/" target="_blank">Greener Apron program</a> for partners to become certified in environmental sustainability.

Announces commitment to provide <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2017/starbucks-100million-coffee-trees/" target="_blank">100 million climate-resilient coffee trees</a> to farmers by 2025.

Launches “Alimento para Compartir” in Mexico, a program that seeks to contribute to fight food insecurity in Mexico City and six other states.

Issues its second Sustainability Bond, this time in Japan.

<a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2017/starbucks-uk-to-tackle-food-waste-with-charity-partner-action-against-hunge/" target="_blank">Expands food waste initiatives across EMEA</a>.

Eliminates straws in all Starbucks stores in Korea through strawless lids and paper straw alternatives.

Achieves 98 percent recycling of coffee grounds in Korea.

<a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2018/starbucks-rolls-out-5p-paper-cup-charge-to-all-stores-across-britain/" target="_blank">Rolls out 5p Paper Cup Charge</a> in Starbucks stores in the UK

Achieves 100 percent zero waste certification at the Starbucks roasting plant in Carson Valley, Nev.

Opens Hacienda Alsacia Visitor Center to welcome visitors from around the world to experience Starbucks Hacienda Alsacia coffee farm, a <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/starbucks-farm-research-and-innovation/" target="_blank">hub for coffee research and innovation</a>.

Invests in <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/solar-and-wind-power-fuel-starbucks-store/" target="_blank">North Carolina solar farm</a> to power 600 Starbucks stores in North Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, West Virginia and Washington, D.C., as well solar farms in <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/starbucks-and-cypress-creek-solar-farms-team-up-to-power-360-stores-in-texas/" target="_blank">Texas</a>, providing enough energy for the equivalent of 360 Starbucks stores across the state.

Sustainability has been at our core since the beginning, back when Starbucks began in 1971. Read on to learn about Starbucks sustainability milestones.

Starbucks Sustainability Timeline

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https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2020/starbucks-sustainability-timeline/

Today in a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/kevin-johnson-letter-sustainability/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="public letter (opens in a new tab)">public letter</a> citing the company’s enduring mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit, Starbucks chief executive officer Kevin Johnson announced a multi-decade commitment to be a resource-positive company, aspiring to give more than it takes from the planet.

The announcement included science-based preliminary targets for the reduction of carbon emissions, water use and waste by 2030, and outlined five strategies the company has identified to move toward them.

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Learn more about our sustainability initiatives:

Starbucks is committed to becoming resource positive. Here's a look at our 2030 preliminary targets.

Starbucks Sustainability Commitment Infographic

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Infographic: Starbucks Sustainability Commitment

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