Starbucks is failing to publicly address key toxic chemicals – BPA, ortho-phthalates, and PFAS – in its food supply chain. With a grade of F, it was one of twelve retailers (out of 40) in our review to score zero points with no significant relevant public-facing commitments to address the safety of chemicals in its supply chain. Despite substantial public attention to BPA, phthalates and PFAS in food packaging and phthalates in processing equipment, there is no indication that Starbucks is taking any action to address these challenges. Although Starbucks has joined the NextGen Cup Challenge, partnering with Closed Loop Partners to design and commercialize a globally recyclable and compostable cup, there is no indication that this effort addresses chemical safety.
Opportunities for Improvement: Starbucks can make progress by developing a public written safer chemicals policy covering at least these three chemicals, setting public quantifiable goals with clear timelines, and completely eliminating and safely replacing BPA and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging and food contact materials as well as phthalates in food and food contact materials in its supply chain. Starbucks should also become a signatory to the Chemical Footprint Project.
Summary of Starbucks’ Grade
0 out of 17.5 points
Policy: Adopted a retailer safer chemicals policy
0 out of 7.5 points
Oversight: Established management responsibilities and incentives
0 out of 10 points
Accountability: Ensures supply chain accountability
0 out of 10 points
Disclosure: Requires suppliers to report use of chemicals in products to retailer
0 out of 15 points
Action: Reduced or eliminated chemicals of high concern within the last three years
0 out of 10 points
Safer Alternatives: Evaluates safer alternatives, avoids regrettable substitutes
0 out of 15 points
Transparency: Demonstrates a commitment to transparency and public disclosure
Starbucks does not appear to encourage or require the disclosure of ingredients in packaging or publicly disclose the identity of packaging or manufacturing equipment or processes that are free of chemicals of high concern going beyond regulatory compliance.
0 out of 7.5 points
Chemical Footprint: Evaluates its chemical footprint
0 out of 7.5 points
Third-party Standards: Promotes credible third party standards for safer products
Extra Credit:
0 out of 5 points
Joint Announcement: Public commitment demonstrated through joint announcement
0 out of 15 points
Continuous Improvement: Shows continuous improvement by steadily expanding safer chemicals policy
0 out of 5 points
Safer Products: Program to promote safer products in stores and/or on website
0 out of 5 points
Collaboration: Actively participates in collaborative process to promote safer chemicals
0 out of 5 points
Impact Investment: Investing financial resources into independent research into safer alternatives and/or green chemistry solutions