Starbucks announces global ban on plastic straws to provide newly designed cup lids

Starbucks announced a total ban on straws earlier today. In recent years, the "white pollution" caused by plastic products has become increasingly serious. To prevent the collapse of the earth's environment, everyone from Seattle to the European Union is trying to completely ban a disposable plastic product-straws. Starbucks, a world-renowned coffee chain, announced on Monday that it will achieve its goal of completely eliminating plastic straws in more than 28000 stores worldwide, including direct sales and franchises, by 2020. However, after the implementation of the new policy, there is no need to worry about the difficulty of tasting drinks easily.

The new cup lid is still made of plastic, but it can be recycled in many places. (photo from: Starbucks)

It is reported that Starbucks will offer a newly designed strawless lid or a new straw made of plastic substitutes. The company estimates that this will reduce the consumption of more than 1 billion straws a year.

The new lid will be an important part of the plan. It looks like a modified version of the straw cup (similar to some kind of children's appliance) and is now in use in 8000 stores in the United States.

Emily Alexander, an engineer in Starbucks'R & D team, started work on the new cup lid as early as 2016. After 10 weeks of experiment and test, "a teardrop hole the size of a fingertip" was finally achieved.

Chris Milne, director of packaging and purchasing at Starbucks, said straws are essentially non-recyclable, but cup caps are. Our decision is more sustainable and socially responsible.

In addition to eliminating plastic straws, Starbucks is also committed to developing hot drink cups that are fully recyclable and composting. Fans of Frappuccino don't have to worry, either, as the company offers the habit of composting plastic made from paper or fermentable plant starch.