Starbucks Corporation Sustainability Practices Essay

A Brief Description of Starbucks Corporation

Starbucks is a leading coffeehouse and coffee company in the world. The company has over 20,800 stores across the globe. The company serves coffee, snacks, pastries, and other beverages to its consumers. Starbucks is based in Washington, Seattle. It is the leading coffeehouse in the world today.

Engaging in Environmentally Friendly Pursuits

Recently there has been much interest among professionals and environmentalists towards environmental preservation and conservations. That being the case, Starbucks Corporation decided to introduce new principles aimed at improving the nature and sustainability of its surrounding environment. The company has encouraged various sustainability practices in order to reduce the impacts of its operations on the environment. To begin with, the company only purchases Fair Trade Certified^TM coffee. As well, the coffee should be organic. The company is currently keen to promote “green” outlets and stores across the globe. This explains why the company is on the right path towards achieving LEED certification for its stores and coffee outlets.

After conducting the study, it was quite clear the company was always keen to engage in environmentally friendly practices and pursuits. Starbucks has consistently reduced its operational costs because of its sustainable practices. As well, the company has made its surrounding environment much cleaner and sustainable in the last one decade. Such practices explain why the company is on the right path towards realizing its goals. The company has also embraced a “green building strategy”. The strategy includes various practices such as adjusting the temperatures in most of its stores from 72^oF to around 75^oF.

Another critical strategy at the corporation is purchasing and using cabinets made from post-industrial or recycled materials. The company has continued to champion the best ideas and practices towards a sustainable environment. Water is also another issue because it determines the overall sustainability of any specific environment. At Starbucks, every individual and employee is concerned about the water valves in order to minimize the amount of water used at the company. The company has embraced the use of low-flow valves to promote the idea of sustainability.

Does the Company Engage in Sustainable Activities in a Consistent Way?

After conducting the study and visiting the company’s website, it is acknowledgeable that Starbucks has constantly been concerned about its environmental practices. As indicated by the interviewee, Starbucks has always been formulating new strategies and practices to ensure the company remains sustainable. At the same time, the company embraces seminars and trainings to educate its employees, suppliers, and stakeholders on the best environmental practices. Starbucks is today attracting more customers and stakeholders across the globe. Starbucks supplies its beverages and foods in recyclable containers.

The practice has helped more consumers embrace the idea of environmental conservation (“Being a Responsible Company” par. 1). The company ensures there is a properly managed waste disposal system and recycling process. It is the duty of the company’s employees and stakeholders to keep the environment clean because it is the source of life. According to the interviewee, the company will be looking forward to incorporate new strategies in order to continue promoting the integrity of its surrounding environment. Starbucks also ensures such practices and ideas are embraced in all its stores and outlets across the world.

Estimating the Cost of Engaging in Environmentally Friendly Pursuits

The other important thing is whether the company estimates the cost of engaging in such sustainable practices. After conducting the study, it was observed that the company did not necessarily estimate such costs. As indicated on the website, the company was considering the practice as part of its long-term process. The company considered such costs as part of its normal business expenses. That being the case, the website indicated how the company did not consider any losses because the strategy was part of its business process. According to the study, the company has always been keen to promote the sustainability of its surrounding environment.

Long-term Impacts of these Friendly Practices

These environmentally friendly ideas and pursuits at Starbucks will definitely have positive reward or payoff. The company is opening new stores while increasing its profits. The company continues to record more customers thus making it the leading coffeehouse in the United States and across the globe. Starbucks Corporation has maintained its standard price for its coffee because it strongly believes in a sustainable environment (“Being a Responsible Company” par. 1). These sustainable practices will therefore continue making the company a leading industrial player in the coming years.

Concluding Remarks

In conclusion, I strongly believe that the organization is doing a very good job at preserving its surrounding environment. For very many years, the company has embraced the best sustainable practices thus attracting more customers and stakeholders. The practice is not affecting its profits or business performance. It would therefore be appropriate for other companies to consider the best environmentally friendly activities in order to conserve our environment. When such activities are done in a proper manner, definitely they will not hamper the long-term goals and expectations of the company.

Works Cited

Being a Responsible Company 2014. Web.