Starbucks Japan has officially announced the nationwide introduction of biodegradable biomass straws beginning on March 24, 2025, aimed at reducing plastic waste and enhancing the customer drinking experience.
The new straws, made from 99% plant-based biomass materials, will replace the paper straws that have been in use since 2020. This change comes in response to customer feedback about the inadequacies of the previous paper straws, which tended to become soggy and unmanageable over time.
Having piloted the new straws in Okinawa since January 2025, Starbucks plans to transition approximately 2000 stores across Japan by the end of April 2025. Initial offerings will include 6 mm straws for Frappuccinos and other beverages with fruit bits, and by the end of the rollout, 10 mm straws will also be introduced for special Frappuccino varieties.
According to Daisuke Furukawa, the company’s Sustainability Manager, “This initiative reflects our commitment to tackling issues related to fossil fuel-derived plastics and ocean plastic waste. We’re making strides towards a more sustainable solution that doesn’t compromise on the drinkability of our products.”
The new biomass straws are estimated to reduce Starbucks’s straw waste by around 200 tons annually, as they are half the weight of their paper counterparts. This weight reduction is expected to lower the energy required for transport, disposal, and incineration, consequently contributing to a decrease in CO2 emissions.
Aside from their lighter weight, these new straws boast a key feature: they are biodegradable. This means that when discarded in the environment, they can decompose into carbon dioxide and water, a process that can occur in as little as three to four months when exposed to seawater. This characteristic aims to provide a solution to the growing problem of marine plastic pollution.
Starbucks first transitioned from petroleum-based plastic to paper straws in 2020, but customer complaints regarding sogginess and an unpleasant mouthfeel prompted the shift to the new biomass option. With these new straws, Starbucks aims to achieve a balance between environmental responsibility and customer satisfaction.
Starbucks’s move to introduce biomass straws aligns with the company's broader sustainability goals, including a commitment to reduce CO2 emissions, water usage, and waste by 50% by the year 2030, based on 2019 figures. This strategy highlights the company’s proactive approach to environmental stewardship and its desire to lead by example in the food service industry.
Other food service companies are also looking to make the switch to more sustainable options; for instance, Pronto Corporation has been utilizing bamboo and food-derived straws since 2023, while Tully's Coffee Japan has been providing plastic straws with 25% biomass content since 2019. McDonald's Japan has implemented paper straws since 2022, and is now trialing strawless lids in select locations as a further attempt to tackle plastic use.
Furukawa commented on the initiative's success during a press briefing in Tokyo, stating, “We believe that we have successfully developed straws that are considerate of the environment while also enhancing the customer experience.” As the food industry continues to pioneer innovative solutions for sustainability, Starbucks's initiative marks a significant step forward in the transition toward environmentally-friendly packaging.
