Starbucks Takes Advantage of Turtles

Today Starbucks announced that they will not be serving straws in their beverages anymore, instead opting for an eco-friendly lid, with a sippy cup style mouthpiece. This change comes as in response to the growing movement to keep plastic trash out of the ocean, and specifically to save sea turtles.

Starbucks is full of sh*t.

Don’t interpret my take the wrong way, however. I have no qualms with removing the straws from beverages. I’m also sure that it does help in the movement to keep plastic waste out of the oceans. I don’t think that Starbucks really cares that much at all about this movement though.

Starbucks sells nearly 3 billion drinks a year. Figure about half of those are iced beverages served with a straw and you have 4.1 million straws served per day. Sourcing straws at $1.59/box of 500 (rate according to www.webstaurantstore.com), Starbucks has just saved themselves $12,700 per day simply at the cost of changing the di used to cut the lids out at the factory.

What company wouldn’t try to save $4.6 million per year? They’ve probably been trying to find a way to market a sippy cup to adults for years, and the internet gave them the perfect excuse.

I see right through your ploy, Starbucks.

-Dishwasher