Starbucks to Create a Forest Up to 220 Pyeong Together with Customers

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Starbucks is conducting an environmental campaign both offline and online in celebration of 'Earth Day.'

Starbucks Coffee Korea is running the 'Cup a Tree' campaign with customers until May 6 and, together with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Green Trust, will create a forest covering up to 727㎡ (220 pyeong).

First, on the 21st, Starbucks partners (employees) will voluntarily participate in relay volunteer activities. Following social distancing and quarantine guidelines, about 100 Starbucks partners will be divided into seven teams by time slots and participate in volunteer work for two hours each, engaging in various activities such as cleaning the environment around Seoul Forest Park, maintaining hazardous elements within the park, and planting flowers and trees.

Along with this, a tripartite business agreement will be signed among Starbucks, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, and Seoul Green Trust to ensure the successful promotion of the campaign.

The online 'Cup a Tree' campaign conveys the message that "the more paper cups are reduced and reusable cup usage increases, the larger the forest that will be created." For every 10 participants, the target area will increase by 3.3㎡ (1 pyeong). To commemorate Starbucks' 22nd anniversary this year, a forest up to 727㎡ in size will be created, with plans to plant 13,581 herbaceous plants and 225 shrubs in areas of Seoul Forest that require greening starting this September.

Among the participants, 500 people selected by lottery will have their names and environmental support messages collected and later published online. Additionally, signboards engraved with QR codes that allow visitors to check the names and messages will be installed in the planting areas within Seoul Forest Park. These participants will receive gifts such as Starbucks tumblers or free beverage coupons.

Furthermore, on Earth Day, the 22nd, Starbucks Rewards members who bring their personal cups to order beverages at stores nationwide will receive two eco-stars per drink, doubling the benefits for one day.

Song Hoseop, CEO of Starbucks, stated, "We are honored to conduct an eco-friendly campaign with our customers for future generations and public value on Earth Day. Starbucks plans to continue various environmental practices, including reducing disposable cup usage by introducing reusable cups in all stores nationwide by 2025."