Starbucks opens first Greener Store in Japan

Located in the grounds of Tokyo’s Imperial Palace, the Wadakura Fountain Park store is designed to reduce its carbon, water, and waste footprint.

Starbucks has opened its first Greener Store in Japan, as the company accelerates the international expansion of its open-source framework in support of its global goal to reduce carbon emissions, water usage, and waste sent to landfills by 50% by 2030.

Located in the Outer Gardens of Tokyo’s Imperial Palace, the Wadakura Fountain Park store has been designed with the aim of reducing its in-store waste by 40% compared to other Starbucks stores in Japan.

Carbon emissions and water consumption will also be cut by 30% and 20%, respectively, by applying the chain’s Greener Store Framework to the store.

“Our Greener Stores allow us to test and learn how we can build and operate even more sustainable stores and inspire our partners and customers to adopt more eco-conscious behaviors,” said Michael Kobori, Starbucks chief sustainability officer. “Our first Greener Store in Japan expands on recent innovations in the market, and is a testament to the passion and energy of our partners in creating solutions to reduce our environmental impact.”

“As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Starbucks and the 25th anniversary of Starbucks Japan, we want to ensure we are creating a sustainable future for the next generation,” added Takafumi Minaguchi, Starbucks Japan CEO. “Through this new store experience, we hope to inspire our customers to join us in reducing waste, leading to planet-positive business operations, and making steady progress together towards the realization of a sustainable society.”