Shared Planet Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s a quick look at Starbucks™ Shared Planet™. Be sure to view the rest of the site for more information.
Q: What is Starbucks™ Shared Planet™?
A: Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ is our commitment to doing business in ways that are good to people and the planet. It is based on three actions: sourcing our coffee ethically, acting as good stewards of the environment, and being actively involved in our communities.
Q: How do you define “responsibly grown”?
A: It means farming in a way that protects the environment, preserves biodiversity and limits pesticide use. It also means working with farmers to encourage these practices.
Q: How do you define “ethically traded”?
A: Ethically traded coffee means farmers and suppliers follow Starbucks guidelines to help them earn higher prices so they can invest in their families and communities.
Q: Is this commitment to global responsibility a new initiative at Starbucks?
A: Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ is about doing things the way we always have: using our size for good. Since our founding, being a socially responsible company has been part of our Mission and guiding principles. Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ allows us to engage our customers and partners in this effort.
Q: What is the difference between coffees purchased under Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ and other Starbucks® coffees?
A: All of our coffees meet the same high-quality standards and the farmer in the manner they are purchased. Coffees purchased under Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ must meet additional ethical sourcing requirements verified by a third party, to ensure that our coffee is grown in a way that protects the environment and gives back to farming communities. This helps create a better future for farmers and a more stable climate for our planet.
Q: Where can I learn more about your ethical coffee buying guidelines for Starbucks™ Shared Planet™?
A: For more information about C.A.F.E. Practices Guidelines, the evaluation criteria used under Starbucks™ Shared Planet™, refer to the Starbucks section of www.scscertified.com.
Q: What is the difference between Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ and C.A.F.E. Practices?
A: C.A.F.E. Practices are the guidelines we developed with Conservation International to help us ethically source (buy) coffee under Starbucks™ Shared Planet™.
Q: Why do some of our coffees lack the Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ logo?
A: Our goal is 100% of our coffee will be responsibly grown and ethically traded by 2015. Although we've already reached 75% of this goal, the last 25% will by far be the hardest. Reaching this goal will require work to bring more existing farmers into our Shared Planet program, and identifying new farmers for participation. We've recently opened up a new Farmer Support Center in Rwanda to help our expansion of SSP coffee in Africa, an important step in our journey.
Q: Is Fair Trade similar to Starbucks™ Shared Planet™?
A: Starbucks and Fair Trade share a history of support for coffee farmers with small-scale farms. Many of the Fair Trade Certified™ producers we buy coffee from also follow the coffee buying principles for Starbucks™ Shared Planet™. We will continue to increase our purchases of coffee produced under our ethical buying guidelines and through the Fair Trade system. In 2009, Starbucks will be the largest buyer of Fair Trade Certified™ coffee in the world.
Q: Why does Starbucks not purchase 100% Fair Trade Certified™ coffee?
A: Because of our size, we buy from coffee cooperatives and farms of all sizes, while Fair Trade focuses exclusively on smaller farms and cooperatives. Starbucks has always been committed to purchasing coffee that is responsibly grown and ethically traded, so we developed our own ethical buying guidelines for farms outside of the Fair Trade system – while continuing to support Fair Trade Certified™ farmers.
Q: When will Starbucks cups be 100% recyclable?
A: Starbucks ability to recycle varies based on the level of commercial and residential recycling services offered in our store communities. We are committed to making 100% of our cups reusable or recyclable by 2015. In the meantime, there are two ways you can help to reduce the environmental impact of our cups: ask for your beverage in a ceramic "for here" mug or use a "to go" commuter mug.
Q: Why are we working with Conservation International and Fair Trade?
A: We have expanded our relationships with Conservation International and Fair Trade because we believe that by working together, we can better achieve our goals to support coffee farmers with small-scale farms, their communities and the environment.
Q: How can I get involved with Starbucks™ Shared Planet™?
A: By simply buying our coffee, you’re helping us positively impact the world!
Global Responsibility
- Ethical Sourcing
- Environmental Stewardship
- Community Involvement
- Shared Planet Frequently Asked Questions
- Global Social Responsibility Report 2011
Starbucks Global Responsibility
Report 2011
At Starbucks, we have always aspired to be known as much for our commitment to social responsibility as we are for the quality of our coffee.
Read the report at
starbucks.com/GRreport
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