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Some Starbucks Are Switching to Compostable Cups for Cold Drinks: Is Your Store on the List?
February 17, 2025
For years, Starbucks has faced growing concerns over plastic waste, particularly as cold drinks have surged in popularity. Therefore some stores will now use compostable cups for these beverages; is your store on the list?
Iced coffee and Frappuccino drinkers will soon notice their orders filled in all-new cups as Starbucks begins moving away from single-use plastic. This shift comes on the heels of a 2024 announcement of new cold cups made with up to 20% less plastic. However, some states and cities have implemented stricter laws on single-use plastics, pushing Starbucks to go further in certain locations.
“They’re not only made with less plastic than previous cold cups, they are also projected to reduce emissions and conserve water in the production process, while streamlining the workflow for store partners (employees) by consolidating the lid combinations and simplifying storage,” Starbucks said of the new cups last year.
This product shift was part of Starbucks’ commitment to cut its carbon, water, and waste footprints in half by 2030. Also in that time frame, Starbucks has committed to making sure all customer packaging is reusable, recyclable, or compostable. New cold cups are made of fiber-based paperboard with bioplastic linings, and they are opaque.
According to Fox 5, these compostable cups are currently being implemented in the following states:
- California
- Washington
- Hawaii
- Minnesota
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Maryland
- Connecticut
- Virginia
- South Carolina
- Colorado
- Georgia
The outlet also noted that local regulations play a role, so “some stores in these states may still use plastic cups while others have moved entirely to compostable ones.”
Starbucks is continuing to test other waste-reduction programs in its stores as well. The company encourages customers to bring their own cups. Also, when customers order any beverage “for here” — including coffee, tea, and all specialty beverages — it will be served in a coffee mug, glass, or a clean personal cup brought from home.
Social Media Is Divided Over the New Starbucks Cups
TikTok creator @magdalena shared her reaction to the new cups on social media. She asked, “How am I supposed to see what drink I have?!! That’s half the fun!”
Her post received hundreds of comments, and Starbucks fans are deeply divided.
Some customers are completely against the idea of paper cups. One commenter replied, “Please tell me this is not real,” while another asked, “Are they paper?!?!?! For an iced drink that will have condensation?!” A third shared, “I am no Starbucks barista but I believe that is a cup for hot coffee.”
On the other hand, others don’t think it’s such a bad switch. One Starbucks fan explained, “Girl I feel so much better using paper than plastic.” A second person who’s OK with the change wrote, “People are so shook by this but [for real] think of every other fast food place that gives [you] a soda in paper cups same thing but these are actually compostable.”
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