Went to Starbucks, yesterday, and nearly tripped over their new Via display. Posters on the door, cardboard stands in the middle of the floor, boxes and displays on the counters. This may be the greatest idea for coffee since sliced bread, but their packaging leaves a lot to be desired. Small packets of single-server coffee in non-recyclable foil wrappers surrounded by lots of cardboard for a three-pack or twelve-pack.
I haven't tried the coffee (I only drink decaf, these days), so I can't comment on it. I'm just going to have to hope that they finish this marketing campaign quickly and move to selling it in 1/2 and 1 pound bags.
What they really need to do is in every store provide recycling and compost bins. There are certainly enough Starbucks out there, they could be a force for environmental good. Walgreens has become Green with their packaging out of self-interest (reduce the packaging, ship more items, use less fuel, reduce fuel, transportation and packaging costs). I'm quite certain Starbucks stores would enjoy a similar result.
This store in San Francisco's SOMA district does it, why not more?
