Comments on: It’s getting harder to hate Starbucks. http://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/07/its-getting-harder-to-buycott-starbucks/ daily blog, videos, e-newsletter & magazine on yoga + organics + green living + non-new agey spirituality + ecofashion + conscious consumerism=it's about the mindful life. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:12:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: elephantjournal.com I: reinventing Elephant in service to all beings | cameron burgess http://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/07/its-getting-harder-to-buycott-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-1909822 elephantjournal.com I: reinventing Elephant in service to all beings | cameron burgess Wed, 28 Sep 2011 04:59:06 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/?p=17315#comment-1909822 [...] those topics do have a tendency to make the average person’s eyes glaze over and hanker for an Orange Mocha Frappucino; either that or a gasoline [...] [...] those topics do have a tendency to make the average person’s eyes glaze over and hanker for an Orange Mocha Frappucino; either that or a gasoline [...]

]]> By: Starbucks' Naked Hypocrisy. | elephant journal http://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/07/its-getting-harder-to-buycott-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-56014 Starbucks' Naked Hypocrisy. | elephant journal Tue, 27 Apr 2010 04:32:50 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/?p=17315#comment-56014 [...] My slow conversion to Starbucks’ ever-improving ways is summed up here: It’s Getting Harder to Hate Starbucks. [...] [...] My slow conversion to Starbucks’ ever-improving ways is summed up here: It’s Getting Harder to Hate Starbucks. [...]

]]> By: Adam http://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/07/its-getting-harder-to-buycott-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-50221 Adam Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:57:51 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/?p=17315#comment-50221 You should also look into their Ethos water brand. While I think bottled water is inherently evil, this is a new, compassionate twist on the industry.<a href="http://www.ethoswater.com/" target="_blank">http://www.ethoswater.com/</a> . Kind of a double edged-sword. Waylon, if you can get ahold of their CSR report for the next few years, you'll see what their progress is toward their goal. They are upfront and honest about their success' and their failures. After working there for 5 years, I have to say the company gets a bad rap for the wrong reasons, and the good that they do largely goes unnoticed to all but their most loyal fans. More focus should be spent on the amount of waste they produce. It is absolutely disgusting how much stuff we had to just throw away. You should also look into their Ethos water brand. While I think bottled water is inherently evil, this is a new, compassionate twist on the industry.http://www.ethoswater.com/ . Kind of a double edged-sword.

Waylon, if you can get ahold of their CSR report for the next few years, you'll see what their progress is toward their goal. They are upfront and honest about their success' and their failures.

After working there for 5 years, I have to say the company gets a bad rap for the wrong reasons, and the good that they do largely goes unnoticed to all but their most loyal fans. More focus should be spent on the amount of waste they produce. It is absolutely disgusting how much stuff we had to just throw away.

]]> By: Adam http://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/07/its-getting-harder-to-buycott-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-50222 Adam Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:57:33 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/?p=17315#comment-50222 On a related note, both the rate that Starbucks pays as well as the Fair Trade rate are way too low. I find it a little insane that so many people insist on Fair Trade like it provides the farmers and families that grow their coffee with a great wage to live on. It's too damn low, and if you really care about the farmers, you'll protest Fair Trade to push for higher prices for farmers just like you would Starbucks. Personally, i think their espresso sucks. I worked their for 5 years in Seattle, and brought this up all the time. The whole bean coffee is exceptional, but their espresso drinks lack any character and are generally made by people that don't give a shit. That's why I don't go to Starbucks for my coffee, and it's part of the reason I quit. On a related note, both the rate that Starbucks pays as well as the Fair Trade rate are way too low. I find it a little insane that so many people insist on Fair Trade like it provides the farmers and families that grow their coffee with a great wage to live on. It's too damn low, and if you really care about the farmers, you'll protest Fair Trade to push for higher prices for farmers just like you would Starbucks.

Personally, i think their espresso sucks. I worked their for 5 years in Seattle, and brought this up all the time. The whole bean coffee is exceptional, but their espresso drinks lack any character and are generally made by people that don't give a shit. That's why I don't go to Starbucks for my coffee, and it's part of the reason I quit.

]]> By: Adam http://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/07/its-getting-harder-to-buycott-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-50220 Adam Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:56:54 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/?p=17315#comment-50220 The reason Starbucks isn't 100% Fair Trade is complex. First, there isn't enough quality Fair Trade coffee on the market for Starbucks to deliver a consistant product. Smaller companies can do this because they are purchasing in smaller quantities. Starbucks wants to deliver a very consistant product, and that becomes difficult to do on their scale. If you read their Corporate Social Responsibility Report (it's fact-checked by an independant organization) you'll see that on average, they pay more than the going Fair Trade rate. Sometimes they pay much, much more to grab some of the world's best coffee. Sometimes, they pay less, and at times it is warranted. They shouldn't have to pay the same amount of $$ for a bean of low quality that they are going to put into their French Roast blend, as one that is a single-origin and of higher quality. That just doesn't make any sense. They are consistantly increasing their supply of Fair Trade coffee year after year. And they do this by sending people out into the fields to work with the farmers to grow higher quality coffee. The reason Starbucks isn't 100% Fair Trade is complex. First, there isn't enough quality Fair Trade coffee on the market for Starbucks to deliver a consistant product. Smaller companies can do this because they are purchasing in smaller quantities. Starbucks wants to deliver a very consistant product, and that becomes difficult to do on their scale. If you read their Corporate Social Responsibility Report (it's fact-checked by an independant organization) you'll see that on average, they pay more than the going Fair Trade rate. Sometimes they pay much, much more to grab some of the world's best coffee. Sometimes, they pay less, and at times it is warranted. They shouldn't have to pay the same amount of $$ for a bean of low quality that they are going to put into their French Roast blend, as one that is a single-origin and of higher quality. That just doesn't make any sense. They are consistantly increasing their supply of Fair Trade coffee year after year. And they do this by sending people out into the fields to work with the farmers to grow higher quality coffee.

]]> By: Melinda http://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/07/its-getting-harder-to-buycott-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-50121 Melinda Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:43:59 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/?p=17315#comment-50121 I nearly dropped my cup of Fair Trade Certified coffee, courtesy of the Vermont Coffee Company, when I started to read this article. Starbucks is not fair trade. They are doing an excellent job with their 'fair washing' by making even Elephant think they are. At this point in time roughly 10% of their coffee is Fair Trade Certified. Because of the volume they buy, this makes them the largest importer of Fair Trade Certified coffee but by no means are you assured a cup of Fair Trade coffee when you go into their stores. Just ask the next time you are in one of their stores. If they don't have fair trade coffee (which is likely) tell them you care about fair trade and you want it. Consumers have so much power. Fair trade is not the answer to ending poverty but it is a piece of the solution. Also, watch Black Gold - a documentary about the coffee industry in Africa - specifically in Ethiopia. It sheds some unfortunate light on Starbucks. There is hope. We can make a difference by calling Starbucks, going into their stores and letting them know we care about how our coffee is produced. In the UK, because of consumer demand, all Starbucks espresso is now Fair Trade Certified. Also, we can choose to support companies that are 100% Fair Trade Certified - like Vermont Coffee Company and Equal Exchange. Help spread the word! I nearly dropped my cup of Fair Trade Certified coffee, courtesy of the Vermont Coffee Company, when I started to read this article. Starbucks is not fair trade. They are doing an excellent job with their 'fair washing' by making even Elephant think they are.
At this point in time roughly 10% of their coffee is Fair Trade Certified. Because of the volume they buy, this makes them the largest importer of Fair Trade Certified coffee but by no means are you assured a cup of Fair Trade coffee when you go into their stores. Just ask the next time you are in one of their stores. If they don't have fair trade coffee (which is likely) tell them you care about fair trade and you want it. Consumers have so much power. Fair trade is not the answer to ending poverty but it is a piece of the solution. Also, watch Black Gold – a documentary about the coffee industry in Africa – specifically in Ethiopia. It sheds some unfortunate light on Starbucks.
There is hope. We can make a difference by calling Starbucks, going into their stores and letting them know we care about how our coffee is produced. In the UK, because of consumer demand, all Starbucks espresso is now Fair Trade Certified. Also, we can choose to support companies that are 100% Fair Trade Certified – like Vermont Coffee Company and Equal Exchange. Help spread the word!

]]> By: elephantjournal http://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/07/its-getting-harder-to-buycott-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-50004 elephantjournal Wed, 14 Apr 2010 06:13:26 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/?p=17315#comment-50004 via<a href="http://www.facebook.com/elephantjournal" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/elephantjournal</a> Manzanita Littleapple I hate to say it, but I was in Starbucks today at Park Meadows... They do have local... art supplies from Clementine Art and snacks from Two Moms in the Raw. Jessica Parrell I still save so much $$, paper and calories by making it at home, we have a great fair-trade store nearby too, but it's great to see some initiative in a big company, nice article! Frank Owen I will always funnel my consumer dollar toward the local coffee/tea shoppe, but I also think--at some point--there may be merit to rewarding companies that attempt to make strides. I'm not one to say whether Starbucks has done that but if they start to amass larger dots in the positives column as opposed to the negatives that's worthy of discussion... See More. I certainly know Chevron will never be up for such discussions, nor Dow, nor Monsanto. At the end of the day, I agree with Jessica; I'd rather buy a bag o' beans and French press at home. Judy Worth Friedsam Starbuck's will always be alright in my book ;-) Elaine Replogle Starbucks has had pretty good relationships with local communities since its inception and it CLEARLY knows the importance of staying ahead/with trends. Being "green" is as much about responsibility as it is about retaining a certain high-end, relatively elite, NYT-reading, laptop-toting, book-reading clientele. I rarely go (only b/c I'm cheap and make my own coffee at home), but when I do, I *love* Starbucks. Heather Wakefield All this is why its good to target starbucks- because they are an industry leader. They have influence, and listen so the campaign becomes essentially a grass rood educational one to enlighten the public as well as set a standard. Berenice Weber i usually make my coffee daily at home (freshly ground too) but must confess now & then i do buy a regular coffee at Starbucks, also when their beans are on sale at the supermarket i do buy them... Laura Saffioti Look, I like Starbucks. They give their employees health insurance at 20 hours a week. That's nothing to cough at. It's progressive. elephantjournal.com Did you read the post, Laura? I'm being purty positive... viahttp://www.facebook.com/elephantjournal

Manzanita Littleapple
I hate to say it, but I was in Starbucks today at Park Meadows… They do have local… art supplies from Clementine Art and snacks from Two Moms in the Raw.

Jessica Parrell
I still save so much $$, paper and calories by making it at home, we have a great fair-trade store nearby too, but it's great to see some initiative in a big company, nice article!

Frank Owen
I will always funnel my consumer dollar toward the local coffee/tea shoppe, but I also think–at some point–there may be merit to rewarding companies that attempt to make strides. I'm not one to say whether Starbucks has done that but if they start to amass larger dots in the positives column as opposed to the negatives that's worthy of discussion… See More. I certainly know Chevron will never be up for such discussions, nor Dow, nor Monsanto. At the end of the day, I agree with Jessica; I'd rather buy a bag o' beans and French press at home.

Judy Worth Friedsam
Starbuck's will always be alright in my book ;-)

Elaine Replogle
Starbucks has had pretty good relationships with local communities since its inception and it CLEARLY knows the importance of staying ahead/with trends. Being "green" is as much about responsibility as it is about retaining a certain high-end, relatively elite, NYT-reading, laptop-toting, book-reading clientele. I rarely go (only b/c I'm cheap and make my own coffee at home), but when I do, I *love* Starbucks.

Heather Wakefield
All this is why its good to target starbucks- because they are an industry leader. They have influence, and listen so the campaign becomes essentially a grass rood educational one to enlighten the public as well as set a standard.

Berenice Weber
i usually make my coffee daily at home (freshly ground too) but must confess now & then i do buy a regular coffee at Starbucks, also when their beans are on sale at the supermarket i do buy them…

Laura Saffioti
Look, I like Starbucks. They give their employees health insurance at 20 hours a week. That's nothing to cough at. It's progressive.

elephantjournal.com
Did you read the post, Laura? I'm being purty positive…

]]> By: Mar http://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/07/its-getting-harder-to-buycott-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-49978 Mar Wed, 14 Apr 2010 05:00:12 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/?p=17315#comment-49978 I would love to see Starbucks start recycling. Starbucks in Phoenix and Scottsdale won't even use the same cup for coffee and iced tea re-fills due to new health department requirements. Your old cup just gets tossed. Like most restaurants and coffee shops, they are soooo wasteful. It would be tough, but if the Bucks kicked things off and started recycling, others might follow and people would love them even more. (And I know how much they love to be loved.) I would love to see Starbucks start recycling. Starbucks in Phoenix and Scottsdale won’t even use the same cup for coffee and iced tea re-fills due to new health department requirements. Your old cup just gets tossed. Like most restaurants and coffee shops, they are soooo wasteful. It would be tough, but if the Bucks kicked things off and started recycling, others might follow and people would love them even more. (And I know how much they love to be loved.)

]]> By: Rick Gilbert http://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/07/its-getting-harder-to-buycott-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-49955 Rick Gilbert Wed, 14 Apr 2010 02:43:32 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/?p=17315#comment-49955 I walked by their store at First and Pike in Seattle about a week ago (it's about one block from the first Starbucks in Pike Place Market). I remember being surprised to see it at First and Pike--that corner for a long time had a sex emporium, with some strip club next door. the blocks on Pike between First and Third Avenues have always been pretty sketchy--so kudos to them for taking a chance on that area. It's close enough to the Market to draw the tourists, for sure--the one in the Market can be easy to miss. I walked by their store at First and Pike in Seattle about a week ago (it's about one block from the first Starbucks in Pike Place Market). I remember being surprised to see it at First and Pike–that corner for a long time had a sex emporium, with some strip club next door. the blocks on Pike between First and Third Avenues have always been pretty sketchy–so kudos to them for taking a chance on that area. It's close enough to the Market to draw the tourists, for sure–the one in the Market can be easy to miss.

]]> By: Carmenza http://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/07/its-getting-harder-to-buycott-starbucks/comment-page-1/#comment-41634 Carmenza Sat, 27 Mar 2010 22:41:47 +0000 http://www.elephantjournal.com/?p=17315#comment-41634 It doesn't say organic or bird friendly, though. Hopefully that will happen as well. No Starbucks for me until then. It doesn’t say organic or bird friendly, though. Hopefully that will happen as well. No Starbucks for me until then.

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