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Business and Industry Resource Venture Presents Starbucks With Energy Conservation Award

Business and Industry Resource Venture Presents Starbucks With Energy Conservation Award

Published 05-16-03

Submitted by Starbucks Corporation

SEATTLE; WA – The Business and Industry Resource Venture announced today that Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX) is one of 11 recipients of the 2003 BEST (Businesses for an Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow) Awards. The awards program recognizes the Company’s energy conservation initiatives in its Company-operated retail stores in North America. Additionally, the award celebrates companies that have adopted environmentally sustainable practices, and encourages other organizations to improve their own environmental performance.

In recent years, the demand for energy has risen at the same time that resources have diminished. "Starbucks comprehensive approach to energy management, including retrofitting lighting, designing efficiency into new stores, and involving its retail employees, is paying ‘dividends’ to the company and the environment. Their actions exemplify the intention of The BEST Award,” said Steve Leahy, President & CEO, of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce said at today’s ceremony.

“Starbucks is truly proud to be recognized and included among an esteemed group of “BEST” companies,” said Ben Packard, director, Environmental Affairs, Starbucks Coffee Company. “Starbucks is committed to a role of environmental stewardship, from sourcing coffee in origin countries to activities with store partners (employees) in communities across North America. Our energy conservation program is a terrific example of our continuous pursuit of ways to minimize our environmental footprint and lessen our impact on the planet.”

Now in its second year, the BEST Awards program celebrates notable “green” achievements by companies in the greater Seattle area and encourages others to improve their environmental performance. Starbucks, along with a distinguished group of winners this year, joins eight Seattle organizations that were honored last year. In addition to the award for energy conservation, Seattle Public Utilities Director Chuck Clarke and Steve Leahy presented awards for waste prevention and recycling, water conservation, storm water pollution prevention, sustainable building, innovation, and environmental leadership.

The goal of the Starbucks environmental project was to reduce energy consumption by 3 to 5 percent annually. As a result of changes to lighting systems, training store partners (employees) and modifications in our operations, Starbucks reduced its energy consumption by more than 5,000 kwh’s hours in the 2,774 stores that participated in North America, which equates to the annual energy consumption of 3,750 homes (2,000 square foot homes).

About Starbucks

Starbucks Coffee Company is the leading retailer, roaster and brand of specialty coffee in the world, with retail locations in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim. The company is committed to offering the highest quality coffee and Starbucks Experience while conducting its business in ways that produce social, environmental and economic benefits for communities in which it does business.

About Business and Industry Resource Venture

The Business and Industry Resource Venture, a partnership of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce and Seattle Public Utilities, provides free information, assistance and referrals to help Seattle businesses improve their environmental performance. For more information, contact the Resource Venture at (206) 389-7304 or help@resourceventure.org. You can also visit the Web site Resourceventure.org.

BEST Awards program partners include:

Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce
Seattle Public Utilities
Seattle City Light
Local water providers in the Saving Water Partnership:
Cedar River Water & Sewer District, City of Bellevue, City of Bothell, City of Duvall, City of Kirkland, City of Mercer Island, City of Redmond, City of Tukwila, Coal Creek Utility District, Highline Water District, King County Water District No. 20, King County Water District No. 45, King County Water District No. 49, King County Water District No. 85, King County Water District No. 90, King County Water District No. 119, King County Water District No. 125, Northshore Utility District, Olympic View Water & Sewer District, Seattle Public Utilities, Shoreline Water District, Skyway Water & Sewer District, Soos Creek Water & Sewer District, Woodinville Water District.

Starbucks Corporation logo

Starbucks Corporation

Starbucks Corporation

It's the way we do business Contributing positively to our communities and environment is so important to Starbucks that it's a guiding principle of our mission statement. We jointly fulfill this commitment with partners (employees), at all levels of the company, by getting involved together to help build stronger communities and conserve natural resources.

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