Starbucks Coffee Japan has announced plans to replace its paper straws with biodegradable plastic straws starting in 2025. This marks a significant shift in the company’s approach to sustainable packaging.
The new biodegradable straws will first be introduced at Starbucks locations in Okinawa Prefecture on January 23, 2025, before expanding to stores nationwide in March or later. The straws will be made from a novel material known as “Green Planet,” developed by Kaneka Corporation, a leading general chemical manufacturer. This innovative material, a polymer referred to as PHBH, is derived from biomass sources such as vegetable oil and is produced through a microbial fermentation process.
A key feature of these new straws is their environmental benefit; they are designed to decompose through the action of microorganisms found in soil and seawater, ultimately breaking down into carbon dioxide and water. This method of decomposition was previously challenging to achieve with other materials, making this industrialization a notable advancement.
Starbucks Japan has been transitioning away from traditional plastic products since 2018, opting for paper alternatives for straws and containers. However, the company had received feedback regarding the comfort and durability of paper straws, which likely influenced its decision to adopt the new biodegradable plastic option.
This move reflects a growing trend among companies to address environmental concerns associated with plastic products while seeking more user-friendly solutions.
