Anti-plastic campaigns pay off for Starbucks and 7-Eleven
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Starbucks Korea and 7-Eleven Thailand have announced positive results for their respective anti-plastic campaigns.
A report revealed that the local Starbucks subsidiary has seen consumption of single-use straws cut by half in the months since introducing strawless lids on drinks without whipped cream or that do not need stirring.
The initiative, introduced last November, has resulted in the monthly average of 15 million straws used across its coffee chain stores drop to 7.5 million per month. The company now only provides straws to customers who request them.
Aiming to further reduce straw usage by up to 70 per cent, Starbucks Korea is planning an online event to offer rewards to customers who upload pictures of drinks taken without using straws. It has also introduced paper straws for usage in some beverages.
7-Eleven saves 169 million bags
Meanwhile, in Thailand, more than 169 million plastic bags have remained unused over the past two months at 7-Eleven stores, according to a report, the result of a management initiative to phase out their use. The move, which has been supported by local celebrities, encourages shoppers to refuse plastic bags or bring reusable bags to the store.
The reductions are reported to have saved the chain more than 33 million baht, which operator CP All Public Company will donate to a local hospital.
All about perception?
Despite these reports, there have been growing concerns among critics in the media regarding the perceived environmental benefits of similar plastics initiatives worldwide.
The sippy cup lid adopted in Korea is identical to the design used in North American stores, which was shown in a Reason magazine report last year to use more plastic than the previous lid design and straw put together.
Plastic shopping bag initiatives similar to the one adopted by 7-Eleven have provoked skepticism among observers who point out that of all single-use plastic packaging used throughout supermarkets and convenience stores, the shopping bag is the only item that tends to be reused in the home.
Questions & Answers
Q.How much plastic does the new Starbucks lid design actually use compared to the old lid and straw?
How much plastic does the new Starbucks lid design actually use compared to the old lid and straw?
A report indicated that the new sippy cup lid design adopted by Starbucks in Korea, and also used in North American stores, uses more plastic than the previous lid and straw combined.
Q.What is Starbucks Korea's next step to further reduce straw usage?
What is Starbucks Korea's next step to further reduce straw usage?
Starbucks Korea plans an online event offering rewards to customers who upload pictures of drinks without straws. This initiative aims to reduce straw usage by up to 70 per cent.
Q.Why are some observers sceptical about phasing out plastic shopping bags in stores like 7-Eleven?
Why are some observers sceptical about phasing out plastic shopping bags in stores like 7-Eleven?
Scepticism arises because critics point out that plastic shopping bags are often reused at home. This makes them different from other single-use plastic packaging found in stores.
Q.What will 7-Eleven Thailand do with the money saved from its plastic bag reduction efforts?
What will 7-Eleven Thailand do with the money saved from its plastic bag reduction efforts?
7-Eleven Thailand saved over 33 million baht by reducing plastic bag use. This money will be donated by the operator, CP All Public Company, to a local hospital.