Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol says the company’s app needs to be more transparent on pricing.
Many Starbucks lovers can now expect to receive their cold coffee orders in cups featuring a new design.
Depending on the state, some Starbucks locations have switched their transparent single-use plastic to opaque white compostable cups, a move that has sparked dissatisfaction among some customers who expressed having difficulty drinking out of the new lids.
The change is a step toward the company’s sustainability goals, according to a Starbucks company spokesperson.
“On Feb. 11, a small number of stores in 14 states switched to commercially compostable cups and lids as part of our efforts to reduce waste and meet local market requirements,” the spokesperson told FOX Business.
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Starbucks’ new compostable cup can be found in Oakland, California. (Reddit/@Genera1Ts0 / Fox News)
Starbucks is working to make its cups entirely compostable, recyclable or reusable by 2030, according to the company’s website.
The switch allows the company to align with local regulations in certain cities that have passed legislation requiring transitions away from single-use plastic.
While the coffee giant has 17,000 stores across the U.S., only about 580 stores have implemented the changes across the following 14 states:
- California
- Washington
- Hawaii
- Minnesota
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Maryland
- Connecticut
- Virginia
- South Carolina
- Colorado
- Georgia
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Starbucks’ new compostable cups come with flat or dome-shaped lids. (Starbucks)
The new cups, which are made from molded fiber, come with both flat or dome-shaped lids to carry both regular iced coffee and even whipped frappuccinos.
Because the opaque cups look similar to those used for hot drinks, one Reddit user said the new cups make it difficult for customers to photograph their colorful drinks.
“No more Tiktok drinks,” a Reddit user said. “Can’t flaunt a drink if it’s hidden.”
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBUX | STARBUCKS CORP. | 113.03 | +0.48 | +0.43% |
Starbucks’ single-use plastic cups used to allow people to photograph their colorful drinks. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images)
Many customers have expressed dissatisfaction over the new designs across numerous Reddit posts, claiming that the cups are uncomfortable to drink out of and that the lids do not seal well.
“They are awful & so awkward to drink out of,” a Reddit user commented in a post about Starbucks’ new cups.
Another Reddit user posted a photo showing leakage from the new lid.
“What the H, Starbucks??” the Reddit user said in the post.
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For customers who are not fans of the new compostable designs, Starbucks said there are still other alternatives.
“As an alternative, customers are welcome to bring in their clean, personal reusable cup or order their beverage “for here” to have their beverage served in a ceramic mug or glass,” a Starbucks spokesperson said.
“We’re committed to innovation, testing and learning to meet the expectations of our partners and customers – and the requirements of the markets we serve,” the spokesperson said.
