Sustainable construction is key to protecting the planet. Nearly 40% of carbon emissions across the world and 50% of global material consumption come from the construction industry.
Starbucks’ New Sustainable BC Store
Starbucks is about to open its first sustainably constructed location in Canada. Created by Vancouver-based green building company, Nexii Building Solutions, Starbuck’s sustainable drive-thru store was created in 6 days and produced little-to-no construction waste. This short timespan was possible thanks to Nexii’s precision-manufacturing process, where the roof and walls were made offsite.
The store will also use less energy for temperature regulation than conventional stores, lowering operational costs. It plans to open its doors in early 2021 in Abbotsford, BC.
Starbucks as a Sustainability Leader
As a whole, Starbucks is aiming to be more sustainable in how it operates. The company has set goals to cut its carbon, water, and waste footprints by 50% by 2030.
Since 2005, Starbucks’s locations has met LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification standards. These standards focus on efficient use of energy and water, as well as the use of sustainable construction materials.
This new Canadian store is just one of Starbucks’ several initiatives as a sustainable leader in the industry. Since January, they have added more plant-based options to their menu and introduced a recyclable straw-less lid for their drinks in all of their Canadian locations. Below are more of the company’s projects:
- Funding in-store recycling with a focus on single-use cups.
- Saving food from the waste bin and donating it instead in the Greater Toronto Area with plans to expand this on a national level by 2021.
- Buying Renewable Energy Certificates, currently covering all of Canada’s electricity use.
Reference:
Starbucks First-of-its-Kind Sustainably Constructed Café to Open in Canada
