Starbucks Becomes First-Ever EnviroStars Recognized Leader

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For Immediate Release

Starbucks Becomes First-Ever EnviroStars Recognized Leader

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, Sep. 28 -/E-Wire/Business Wire/-- Starbucks Coffee Company received the first-ever EnviroStars Recognized Leader distinction today. This new designation, established by the EnviroStars business certification program, acknowledges a select group of highly successful businesses that are taking substantial steps towards reducing their environmental footprint in the Puget Sound region and beyond.

"Starbucks illustrates a leadership commitment to the environment and community building balanced with proactive business strategies," explains King County's EnviroStars program manager Laurel Tomchick.

Starbucks environmental commitment was formally solidified in 1992 with the creation of its environmental mission statement, which is based on the belief that environmental leadership is an essential component of the way the company does business. There are three high impact areas of business operations on which Starbucks focuses its environmental strategy:

-- Sourcing of coffee, tea and paper. This year alone, Starbucks established Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices, a comprehensive set of coffee buying guidelines that promote equitable relationships with farmers and encourage sustainable farming practices.

-- Transportation. Starbucks has established incentives to encourage its employees to reduce traffic congestion, air pollution and parking demands.

-- Store design and operations. Starbucks has undergone a number of improvements to reduce natural gas, electricity and water consumption in its stores. The company is also partnering with the U.S. Green Building Council to establish a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) application guide for retail.

"Starbucks is deeply honored to be recognized as an environmental leader," said Jim Donald, President of Starbucks North America. "Starbucks strives not only to be a great, enduring brand, but to be a company that champions business practices that produce social, environmental and economic benefits globally."

King County Executive Ron Sims presented Starbucks with the EnviroStars Recognized Leader distinction at the Profitable Sustainability conference held at the Seattle Westin Hotel. The award ceremony was part of the Luncheon Plenary - "Business Leadership Roundtable: Is Sustainability Possible in a Profit Driven World?"

"Starbucks commitment has set a tremendous example of how to be both successful and sustainable for other businesses in our community," says Tomchick.

EnviroStars plans to extend the EnviroStars Recognized Leader distinction to a select group of high-profile businesses in the Puget Sound region that have, like Starbucks, reduced their overall environmental footprints. The goal is for these businesses to act as models, mentors and catalysts for the spread of environmentally sustainable practices.

The EnviroStars program is a service of the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County. EnviroStars supports companies in the management and reduction of hazardous waste, and rates them with 2- to 5-stars according to their demonstrated commitment to environmentally responsible practices. Currently, there are approximately 600 businesses certified in the region - including King, Pierce, Kitsap, Jefferson and Whatcom counties.

For more information, please visit www.envirostars.org or call 1-877-220-STAR (7827).

The Frause Group, Maggie Foote, [REDACTED-PHONE], [REDACTED-EMAIL] or EnviroStars, Laurel Tomchick, [REDACTED-PHONE], [REDACTED-EMAIL]

http://www.envirostars.org

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