Custom term paper on Starbucks: Going Green

Today, the idea of corporate social responsibility makes it possible to reconsider the relationship that has established between business and society, giving them a more constructive direction. Fashion for ecology and its marketing was introduced in the U.S. in the early 1960’s, and then spread in different forms along with the overall process of globalization. Topics of safe environment, concerns with the future of the planet, fearing for one’s own health became among the most discussed ones. The eco-theme has experienced a particular boom in the modern post-industrial economy of the 21st century (Starbucks.com).
The ideological basis is made up of the “green” attitudes and thinking, which express the idea that the consumer should buy what one needs with clear conscience, not harming oneself and not feeling guilty for the worsening of environmental and social problems of mankind. Starbucks corporate social responsibility has a long history. One of company’s missions became helping and supporting the local communities and contributing to the protection of the environment; Starbucks actively seeks opportunities to minimize impacts on the environment and tries to compensate for its influence by recycling wastes to create a healthy planet (Starbucks.com).
One of the projects, which the company implemented in the social sphere, is Starbucks Shared Planet; it includes measures that Starbucks takes with consumers and the farming communities to set the standards for responsible business and create a better future for the whole society. This program is based on three commitments: to produce coffee in an ethical manner, carefully treat the environment and actively participate in the life of farming communities. Thus, Starbucks Company, supporting the idea of growing coffee on the forest plantations, contributes to environmental protection while providing long-term supplies of high quality coffee.
Starbucks also actively participates in solving the problems of environmental protection in the countries cultivating coffee, organizes special programs for recycling, creates projects for the “Green Team” in the stores. For example, in Starbucks coffee-shop chain it is now possible to purchase “environmental” plastic thermomugs Recycled Tumbler.

custom term paper

They consist of 81% recycled material and are recyclable. Offering a new kind of mugs, Starbucks encourages everyone to give real help in nature conservation and preservation of natural resources. Coffee-shop visitors can buy coffee Recycled Tumbler thereby demonstrating their care for environmental issues. By 2015, Starbucks plans to achieve 100% recycling of their mugs for coffee (Starbucks.com).
Now, 70% of U.S. Starbucks coffee houses recycle several types of their operational wastes. A group of scientists also reported the establishment of high-quality biodiesel from Starbucks coffee wastes. Moreover, this biodiesel has a longer shelf life than other types of biofuels because of the large amount of antioxidants contained in coffee. Another advantage is that in the final stage of creating fuel from coffee, the remaining waste can be converted into briquette fuel for stoves, fireplaces and boilers.
Given that Starbucks coffee shop chain in the U.S. wastes 96 000 tons of coffee grounds each year, researchers found that they can produce 40 000 liters of biodiesel and 80 tons of briquette fuel. After deduction of costs and trade margins, the price of a new type of biodiesel would be approximately 3 cents per liter and $225 per 1 ton of fuel briquette; the estimated gains from their sale could reach up to $ 8 million. Thus, a never-ending circle of completely waste free production can be formed. One of the major advantages of biodiesel is a low price compared to other energy sources (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).
Thus, the new environmental thinking is a universal understanding that the safe existence and development of mankind is possible only with the restoration of ecological purity of the environment and harmonious interaction with it. Taking action to reduce waste in the production and processing, we can preserve the natural resources of land and raise living standards around the globe.