Starbucks Korea switches from paper to plant-based plastic straws nationwide

(Photo by Starbucks Korea/Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)

Starbucks Korea announced that it will begin using plant-based plastic straws at all of its stores nationwide, excluding Jeju Island.

This marks the company’s first major change in straw policy in seven years, following the introduction of paper straws in 2018.

The rollout follows a pilot program launched in late June across 200 stores, which tested consumer response to the new straws made from sugarcane-based bioplastic rather than traditional petroleum-based materials.

Starbucks highlighted the carbon reduction benefits of the plant-based design while addressing long-standing customer feedback about paper straws becoming soggy in beverages.

Under the new policy, all Starbucks locations in Korea except Jeju will provide both paper and plant-based plastic straws.

Jeju Island remains excluded from the program due to its local regulations prohibiting single-use plastics, meaning stores there will continue using paper straws only.

Starbucks Korea introduced paper straws nationwide in 2018 as part of its sustainability campaign to reduce single-use plastic waste.