Starbucks introduces sustainable to-go cups without plastic!

Starbucks introduces sustainable to-go cups without plastic!

On May 26, 2025, Starbucks announced that it would launch new, eco-friendly to-go hot beverage cups later this month. These cups are based on an innovative mineral-based coating that replaces the usual polyethylene barrier layer, such as Plastic web reported. The rollout will take place in gradual phases in ten European countries, including Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria. Welsh company Transcend Packaging will manufacture the new cups in Ystrad Mynach, UK, while the silica coating will be supplied by Qwarzo from Rovato, Italy. The cardboard needed comes from Metsä Board, a Finnish manufacturer from Espoo.

Starbucks' new cups are an important step at a time when the use of disposable cups is heavily criticized. In Germany, around 320,000 disposable coffee cups are consumed every hour, which amounts to almost 3 billion cups per year. These cups are often neither recyclable nor biodegradable, causing significant environmental problems. A person who buys a take-away coffee every day therefore generates over 10 kg of waste annually Citizen Sustainable describes.

The challenge of disposable cups

Traditionally, paper cups are harmful to the environment because they are glued to plastic, which hinders recycling. Making a paper cup emits over 100 grams of CO2 and uses more than half a liter of water. Sustainable alternatives are therefore increasingly in demand. In addition to the new cups from Starbucks, there are a variety of reusable and compostable cups from various suppliers. Loud WeGreen These include models made from wood components such as cellulose and lignin as well as to-go cups made from rice husks and coffee grounds, which are both light and shockproof. These products are not only more environmentally friendly, but also practical in everyday life.

The problems with using personal cups in cafés often involve hygiene concerns, which results in employees often decanting the coffee into cups or glasses. This shows that it is time not only to focus on new products, but also to promote awareness of sustainable practices in consumption. Consumers should actively advocate for eco-friendly solutions and bring their own cups to combat the scourge of single-use cups.

Conclusion

Starbucks' new to-go cups represent a positive step towards sustainability. It remains to be seen how this innovation will be accepted in the market and whether it can help reduce the enormous waste caused by disposable cups. Nevertheless, the introduction of sustainable products should not mean the end of the discussion about the responsible use of resources. Consumers can actively contribute to reducing waste through conscious purchasing decisions and the use of reusable cups.