Packaging with Our Health in Mind: Coffee Giant Goes Toxic-Free

By vowing to eliminate PFAS chemicals from all its food packaging by 2023, the American coffee giant Starbucks becomes the leading company banning the harmful component as part of its broader sustainable packaging policy.

“We’re thrilled to see Starbucks moving quickly to join the growing list of food chains committed to protecting their customers from unnecessary toxic PFAS that can harm our health,” says Mike Schade, director of Mind the Store, a program of Toxic-Free Future. “Now more than ever, customers want to see that the companies they buy from are fully committed to protecting their health.”

PFAS – or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – are linked to numerous health problems, and they will disappear from Starbucks’ U.S. packaging by the end of the year, and internationally by the end of 2023. Restaurant Brands International intends to get rid of the toxics by 2025, and McDonald’s and Taco Bell as well. The coffee giant also wants to shift to reusable cups, increase the amount of recycled material used in cups, use paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, and propose a new recycling app for company partners.