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Starbucks Mexico is committed to energy efficiency and water conservation: it opens its first 23 Greener Stores

Original Publication: BioPlanet

Starbucks, operated in Mexico by licensed business partner Alsea, today announced the certification of 23 Greener Stores in Mexico, as the company accelerates the international expansion of its open source framework of Greener Stores in support of its global goal to reduce carbon emissions, water use and waste sent to landfills by 50% by 2030. The first greener store open for service, the Periférico Satelite self-service store located in the district of Naucalpan in the State of Mexico, will help reduce the environmental impact of Starbucks.

These 23 certifications adhere to the Starbucks Greener Store Framework through a more efficient use of resources, including technology for energy efficiency, water use management, the use of responsible materials and sustainable waste management techniques. Periférico Satelite's Greener Store is designed to reduce water use by 30% due to low water consumption aerators and faucets, the materials used emit fewer toxins with low embodied carbon value. In addition, energy consumption in the store is reduced by 20% through an Energy Management System that monitors and controls the temperature levels of the store to stay within the optimal range to guarantee the comfort of the (os) partners (employees) and client(s). In addition, the new light-colored roof material reflects 70-80% of sunlight, while all store signage, interior and exterior lighting are 100% LED.

In 2018, Starbucks announced the Greener Store model and a commitment to design, build and operate 10,000 certified stores worldwide by 2025. This model has been co-developed by sustainability experts, including the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) , as well as being audited and verified by SCS Global Services, a third-party verification organization that also oversees Starbucks' Coffee and Farmer Equity (CAFE) Practices.

"At Starbucks, we have always been about much more than coffee. Throughout our 20 years of presence in Mexico and with the help of our Mandil Más Verde partners (employees with sustainability certificates), we have continually sought ways to protect the planet we share. We are extremely proud of our first 23 Greener Store certifications in Mexico and we remain dedicated to growing and strengthening our portfolio of eco-consciously designed and operated stores,” said Francisco Tosso, CEO of Starbucks Mexico.

Starbucks Mexico has long been commited to sustainability initiatives:

  • Plant-based Menus: Starbucks Mexico began offering plant-based options to customer(s) in 2006 with the introduction of soy beverages, and has since added four additional milk alternatives to its menu, including almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, and most recently NotMilk, which was introduced in August 2022. In January 2023, Starbucks Mexico expanded its plant-based menu even further, introducing the NotChicken Baguette and NotBurger, and it doesn't plan to stop there.
  • Food waste reduction: In January 2022, Starbucks Mexico launched Donde Come Uno, Comen Dos, to reduce food waste. Through the initiative, selected products are available at half price a few hours before closing and the proceeds are donated to Bancos de Alimentos de México (BAMX), a network of food banks to fight hunger in local communities. Since its launch, this program has prevented the waste of more than 18,000 unsold foods.
  • "Molos para tu Huerto” Program: Initiative that gives a second life to ground coffee waste from stores. The grounds are packed in reusable bags and delivered to the client(s) free of charge as a compost additive for their plants or gardens.
  • Reusable cups: Starbucks invites its clients (s) to bring their reusable cup for a discount of 8 pesos on drinks. The new Greener Store also has For Here Ware ceramic mugs available for customer(s) who wish to enjoy their cup of coffee inside the store.
  • Partner Sustainability Training: In July 2022, Starbucks launched the Greener Apron program for both partners and customer(s). The course includes an immersion into the global environmental challenges facing the world and how various players are leading with solutions. To date, more than 200 Starbucks Mexico partners have been certified through the program, including 100% of the partners that operate the Periférico Satélite store.

"Our work to become planet positive starts with the coffee at the source and extends to our stores, right into the hands of our customer(s),” said Michael Kobori, Starbucks chief sustainability officer . “I am proud to say that the energy and passion for sustainability of our partners drives us every day and is the reason we have seen such great adoption of our Greener Store standards.”

The Periférico Satelite store is located at Boulevard Manuel Ávila Camacho 5, Naucalpan de Juárez, Mexico, and operates from 8 am to 10 pm.