Some coffee chains are using compostable cups-- I'd love to see Starbucks work to get the infrastructure in place to support that instead. Or require everyone to bring reusable cups. :)

Kirsten - Agree that reusable is the best option but why is compostable better than recycling? Recycling provides post-consumer content to replace virgin content. Some paper goods will always nee dot be made...like toilet paper...and best to use post-consumer materials. Recycling and composting both close the loop.

Hi Stephanee-- Recycling may be a good option, but my thought was that it tends to take a lot of energy to go through the recycling process, and the quality of the material is lost pretty rapidly (the paper might be to weak to recycle into a new cup more than once). Compostable cups are already available today, too, which is great. I think the problem with them is that most cities don't have good composting programs set up yet. It seems like it would be good for Starbucks to support composting because there's more they could use it for (coffee grounds, other food waste, napkins, etc).

People should just bring their own cups or use Starbucks' "for here" cups - it's really not that hard! Check out the EcoPlum blog where we encourage these types of changes in habits: http://www.ecoplum.com/blog/2009/08/09/welcome/