Starbucks commits to green building

Starbucks' used repurposed materials in a remodel of its First and Pike store.

Some customers may like their coffee black, but Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) wants them to associate their coffee with green. The company announced in late June a new global store design strategy it says continues its "ongoing commitment to ethical sourcing, environmental stewardship and community involvement."

As new company-operated stores are built and renovated, Seattle-based Starbucks will source materials and employ craftsmen locally, incorporate reused and recycled elements where possible and aim to achieve U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (USGBC-LEED) certification for all new company-operated stores worldwide beginning in 2010. Certification goals for all new stores will run the gamut from Certified to Platinum. Store remodel projects will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for LEED potential, the company says.

Starbucks closed 600 stores since last July because of low revenues and now operates 11,446 U.S. stores. Now that it has an eye toward expanding again, the company would not say how much extra money building to LEED standards would cost. It does say that long-term cost savings played a role in its decision to focus on green building, however.

The company also plans to get 50 percent of the energy used in company-operated stores from renewable resources by 2010, to make recycling available in all company-operated stores where it controls waste collection by 2015, ensure 100 percent of its cup supply will be reusable or recyclable by 2015 and to serve 25 percent of its drinks in reusable cups by 2015.

In a separate effort, Starbucks is in the process of installing new water faucets in its stores that will meter out water, saving about 150 gallons per store, according to a company representative. In addition, Starbucks will provide licensed stores and other business partners with design plans and guidance on construction with an eye toward the incorporation of sustainable practices.