Starbucks is the kind of company that makes the power and the possibilities of corporate social responsibility (CSR) so exciting. With more than 16,500 stores globally, the company’s reach is massive — it crosses international borders and touches countless cultures worldwide.
With such incredible influence, it’s a good thing that the company’s grounded ethos is guiding their every move. The diversity of their CSR programs is incredible. From helping farmers incorporate sustainability starting with the seed to the store design filled with local artisans’ work, this company’s motives stem from the triple bottom line.
We shouldn’t be surprised, then, that Starbucks is going for LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Volume Certification. Earlier this week, I visited the newly completed — and totally green — Manhattan Soho store. I was lucky enough to get a tour of the pilot shop plus have a little coffee talk with Tim Pfeiffer, senior vice president of store design, and Jim Hanna, director of environmental affairs.
LEED
This isn’t just talk, Hanna explained. Starbucks did not approach this project with the end goal of LEED certification (verdict to come July 2010), instead this project is about making the most beautiful, engaging, environmentally sustainable store possible. “We set out to create sustainable stores and LEED certification is just a third party way of saying we’ve done that.”
Achieving the goal of LEED isn’t where Starbucks will stop. The real challenge lies in maintaining environmentally sustainable stores year after year and bending to malleable sustainability practices as technology improves. Hanna continues, “What we aimed to do is build a store that [is] locally relevant, beautiful [and] great for customers to use, and by the way, it’s going to be LEED certified. It’s a nuisance but it’s a very different way of approaching LEED.” That small shift in the mentality makes a big difference and guarantees Starbucks’ efforts won’t stop with certification.
Here are some facts about Starbucks’ LEED maneuvers that keep the place running smoothly:
Water & Energy Conservation
- LED and CFL bulbs reduce energy use.
- Dual-flush toilets and low-flow faucets significantly lower water use.
- Hand dryers are energy efficient and minimize paper towel consumption.
Waste Reduction
- Waste generated during construction was diverted from the landfill.
- The previous flooring in the building was salvaged to be used in another store.
- By using one of Starbucks’ “for-here” mugs or bringing in their own, customers can curtail waste.
Store Environment
- All paint, finishes, adhesives and subfloor were carefully selected to improve the indoor air quality.
- Paints used in our store are low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and water-based.
DESIGN
AND — it looks good!
The building Starbucks currently occupies has seen some major changes. At the turn of the century, it was a dry goods warehouse; in the 70s, artists moved in because of the large loft spaces and in the 90s, its surrounding neighborhood evolved into a shopping and tourist mecca. In re-imagining the Starbucks space, Senior VP of Design Pfeiffer took all of this history into account.
The team sourced all of its materials locally, integrated furniture that maximized the seating and personal space, and commissioned a local artist to create pieces specifically for the store. Pfeiffer explains the design is considered for each location. “This is one of the more complex stores,” he admits. “It’s used all day long and late into the evening — a big number of customers throughout here. We are really studying what it is that our customers are asking for to create the best possible offering that’s reflective of that neighborhood.”
With each new or renovated store, the design goal is to reflect the character of the surrounding neighborhood and use local material. This accomplishes three goals beautifully: feeding dollars into the local community supporting local business, creating unique stores that reflect the neighborhoods they are in and cutting down on their carbon footprint by minimizing transportation of materials.
If you don’t live near Soho, never fear! Some of these great new design elements are coming soon to a Starbucks near you. Pfeiffer tells us what to expect: “We have a five-year renovation cycle for the entire portfolio of stores, aside from general routine maintenance every store within the portfolio will be receiving something.”
Here are some facts about the design elements that keep the place looking spiffy:
Reused, Recycled and Locally Sourced Elements
- The countertops of the Clover® and espresso bar, bar cladding, column cladding, chair rail and base are made of repurposed white oak recovered from several barns in Somerset, Pa.
- The community table is also made of repurposed wood from Somerset, Pa.
- The flooring is made from reclaimed wood.
- The bar casework, wood seat roundabouts and metal stools were manufactured locally on Long Island.
- The magnetic community board is made of metal panels repurposed from retired espresso machines.
- The wallpaper next to the Clover® bar area is made of reused burlap coffee sacks from Starbucks roasting plants.
- Custom artwork by local artist Peter Tunney integrates Starbucks existing marketing collateral into the canvases.
There are tons of amazing CSR programs that Starbucks runs at all times. For “bean to cup stories” and more about Starbucks sustainability practices, check out their site.
Read more Dollars & Sense.
Images courtesy of Starbucks.