SEATTLE, WA and ARLINGTON, VA – (Nasdaq: SBUX) With a simple swipe, Starbucks customers can join Conservation International (CI) to help protect forests and the life that exists within them – as well as fight climate change. Starting March 9 and through December 31, 2010, every time a customer pays with their new Conservation International Starbucks Card at participating stores in the U.S., Starbucks will donate five cents to CI to help protect forests.
Making a difference can start with small, simple efforts. The five cents donated by Starbucks with each purchase will provide contributions to support CI’s work to protect and restore forests, essential steps to addressing climate change. As a company that relies on coffee as an agricultural product, Starbucks knows firsthand the importance of protecting the environment. The company has worked with CI for more than 10 years to help support responsible coffee farming, protect biodiversity, and reduce coffee farming impacts on climate in an effort to sustain the supply of the world’s best coffee.
“The involvement of Starbucks and their customers provides a tremendous boost to global forest conservation and climate solutions,” said Justin Ward, Vice President of Business Practices at Conservation International. “We value our long term relationship with Starbucks and we are pleased that support raised from the Preservation Card will benefit sustainable management of the world’s natural resources.”
The new CI Card, made with at least 80% post-industrial recycled materials, is a stored value Card that can be given as a gift or loaded for personal use. Customers can also register their Card at www.starbucks.com/card to receive benefits through the My Starbucks Rewards program. Using the Card is an easy way to be green every day and encourage others to do the same.
“We have long shared our customers’ commitment to the environment,” said Ben Packard, vice president of Starbucks Global Responsibility. “Partnering with organizations like Conservation International allows Starbucks to give our customers an opportunity to make simple, sustainable decisions that collectively make a big difference.”
Through Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ commitment to doing business responsibly, Starbucks is working to achieve measurable goals in the areas of environmental stewardship, ethical sourcing (buying), and community involvement. Many of these goals address Starbucks global environmental footprint, guiding our work to reduce our impact by supporting conservation and continuing to seek innovative recycling and energy solutions.
Customers can pick up the new Conservation International Starbucks Card at participating Starbucks stores in the U.S. starting March 9, and go to www.starbucks.com/sharedplanet for details about Starbucks commitment to responsible business. Learn more about Conservation International’s efforts to save forests and find easy steps to live green at www.conservation.org.
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Media Contacts:
Alisa Martinez
Starbucks Coffee Company
Email: press@starbucks.com
Phone: (206) 318-7100
Kary Laskin
Edelman for Starbucks Coffee Company
Email: kary.laskin@edelman.com
Phone: (212) 819-4809
Katrin Olson
Conservation International
Email: k.olson@celb.org
Phone: (702) 341-2768
About Starbucks
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com.
Conservation International (CI)
Building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration, CI empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature for the well-being of humanity. With headquarters in Washington, DC, CI works in more than 40 countries on four continents. For more information about CI, visit www.conservation.org.