Starbucks Surpasses 50 Greener Stores in Latin America and the Caribbean

Starbucks expands its Greener Stores program in Latin America and Caribbean, advancing progress toward its resource positive goals. 12 markets in region obtain first-in-market Greener Store certifications. By the end of 2023 and going forward, Starbucks will build all new stores in LAC under the Greener Stores framework.

Today, Starbucks announced the continued expansion of its Greener Stores program across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) with 52 new Greener Stores certified across 12 markets, including the region’s first drive-thru Greener Store in Mexico City.

This means 13 markets across LAC have certified Greener Stores – Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and Chile, which had the region’s first certified Greener Store.

“At Starbucks, we have always looked for ways to help protect our planet, and through our open-source Starbucks Greener Stores Framework, we have created a benchmark in environmentally responsible retail for design, construction and operation,” said Tom Ferguson, president, Latin America and the Caribbean at Starbucks. “With our new Greener Stores in the region, we are not only reducing our environmental impact, but also driving innovation at scale to ensure a sustainable future for all.”

Starbucks Greener Stores Framework, co-developed with the World Wildlife Fund, includes a set of 25 performance-based standards across environmental impact areas such as energy efficiency, water stewardship, and waste diversion. Each Greener Store has a different combination of sustainable features that help it receive its third-party verification. Some stores have obvious elements like solar panels or water recycling tanks. While others have less obvious features behind the counter like high efficiency appliances, low-emitting paint and sealants, recycling tampers, and energy efficient HVAC temperature systems.

By the end of 2023 and going forward, Starbucks will build all new stores in LAC under the Greener Stores framework. Globally, Starbucks has certified 3,508 Greener Stores across 20 markets, which sets the company well on its way to achieving its goal of 10,000 Greener Stores by 2025.

“With a company of Starbucks scale – any one action, no matter how small, has the potential for massive impact,” said Michael Kobori, Starbucks chief sustainability officer. “I’m so proud to see our Greener Stores Framework continue to scale for good globally. The program we have created will continue to move us closer towards our resource positive goals.”

LAC is similarly demonstrating its commitment to sustainability with Earth Month activations across the region focusing on building awareness on the little choices one can make to create big changes. On April 22, and while supplies last, participating stores are offering a reusable cup as a gift with purchase of any beverage, while others are offering a free beverage with a purchase of any reusable cup.