Starbucks: only green on their logo?

Coffee giant may be involved in deforestation in Indonesia

Posted by Sarah K. Burkhalter at 12:41 PM on 08 Sep 2006

Read more about: business | greening biz operations | deforestation

For being a big-ass chain, Starbucks Coffee at least has a reputation as a socially responsible big-ass chain.

They've partnered with Conservation International for their Conservation Coffee program, "to encourage environmentally sound coffee-growing practices and to improve farmer livelihoods" in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, "and other Conservation Coffee™ sites around the world" that apparently don't warrant mentioning.

They recycle "at 1,544 of our stores, of which 61 percent have a recycling program." (Side note: I'm spoiled here in hippie Seattle, but it's depressing that there are Starbucks stores "located in communities where commercial recycling facilities are not available.")

They've got a composting program, Environmental Footprint Team, and green thoughts about store design and operations.

But then there's this (it's from April -- you know, I've been busy):

According to an article in the business section of the Jakarta Post, PT. Sarimakmur Tunggalmandiri has signed an agreement with a U.S. based international coffeehouse chain and a company from Japan to jointly develop a 3,000-hectare coffee plantation in Dairi regency, North Sumatra.

Suryo Pranoto, the president of PT Sarimakmur, said in Jakarta on Monday that the total investment in the plantation project would amount to about Rp 250 billion (US$27.78 million).

"We've received approval from the local government. Now we're waiting for the Forestry Ministry to approve our request to be allowed to clear 3,000 hectares of forest for the coffee plantation," Suryo told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

He refused, however, to name the overseas partners. But sources say that one of the two foreign firms is U.S.-based Starbucks.

Anyone have an inside scoop?

For story: Starbucks: only green on their logo?
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