The Sankei Shimbun 
Starbucks Coffee Japan's new bio-plastic straws on January 23, Chatan Town, Okinawa Prefecture.
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In January, Starbucks Japan introduced new bio-plastic straws at all 32 of its Okinawa stores, replacing paper ones. This change aligns with the company's ongoing efforts to combat marine pollution caused by plastic waste.
Enjoy Drinks for Longer
Starbucks stores in Japan began switching from plastic to paper straws in January 2020. Now, the company is introducing bio-plastic straws, which have a lower carbon footprint and offer superior water resistance. This means customers can enjoy their Frappuccinos without having to contend with soggy straws.
Starbucks chose Okinawa for the initial rollout because its cold drink sales percentage in the region is approximately 15 points higher than the national average. The company will start introducing the new straws nationwide starting in early March.
What Are Bio-Plastic Straws?
According to Starbucks, these bio-plastics are made from non-petroleum-based materials that naturally decompose in the environment. They are also lighter than paper, which helps reduce waste.
Daisuke Furukawa, Starbucks' head of sustainability, explained, "We focused on balancing usability with environmental considerations."
The bio-plastics are created through a unique process. Microorganisms consume vegetable oil and produce polymers as an energy source, storing them in their cells, similar to how humans store fat. This extracted material is then used to manufacture the straws.
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Author: The Sankei Shimbun
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