Since 1985, Starbucks has been following a
tradition of offering a ten cent discount to environmentally conscious
customers who brought in their own reusable cups in order to savor their fresh
brews. Due to the looming threat of coronavirus which is causing terror all
over the world, the coffee serving behemoth has resorted to suspending this
service of theirs as a temporary precautionary method. For further safety, the
Seattle based coffee chain has also resorted to cease all business related
travel till the scare dies down.
EVP Rossann Williams said, “The Company
will continue to honor its 10-cent discount for anyone who brings in a personal
cup or tumbler for coffee, even though customers can't use them.We are
optimistic this will be a temporary situation.We will continue to communicate
with transparency and act courageously and responsibly to ensure the health and
well-being of our partners and customers.Large meetings at the company's
offices in the United States and Canada are being postponed or modified.”
Starbucks wasn’t clear on how long these
new changes will be implemented but it is assumed that they will stay in place
till the epidemic dies down. The sustainable method adopted by Starbucks in letting customers bring in their own cups has saved tons
of paper cups since its implementation.
