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Starbucks 'wasting 23 million litres of water a day'

Mon Oct 06 10:06AM

Starbucks has today been accused of wasting more than 23 million litres of water every day.

The coffee chain, which prides itself on being green, has a health and safety policy of leaving taps running in all of its 10,000 branches worldwide it has been revealed today.

The company policy prohibits staff from turning off a cold tap behind the counter called a 'dipper well'.

This means that Starbucks is wasting roughly 23.4 million litres of water on a daily basis. That's enough water to quench the thirst of the entire population of drought-stricken Namibia.

In Britain where there are just fewer than 700 branches of the coffee shop, 1.6 million litres are wasted every day.

Starbucks bosses claim that the flow of water stops germs from festering in the taps.

Peter Robinson of environmental charity Waste Water told The Sun: "Leaving taps running all day is a shocking waste of precious water. And to claim you are doing it for health and safety reasons is bonkers."

You can read the full exclusive story from The Sun by clicking here.

Comments61 - 70 of 752

I agree with another post - taps with water sensors would be a better way of combating water wastage & the germ problem caused by taps. I've never set foot in a Starbucks either, & won't be doing so after this.

From sandyeastfield on Mon Oct 06 12:41PM
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This is ridiculous, I have friends living near Melbourne Australia; who are suffering water shortages, as our other friends in southern Australia.
I am sure they would be apalled if they knew how much water is being wasted through this crass rule. perhaps that person should be flown out to a drought area to see how much benefit that amount of water could bring.
I think it is a case of vote with our feet and drink elsewhere where there is not this stupid waste of a finite resource.
better still if they stopped the waste and invested in irrigation wells etc in an area where coffe beans could be grown; it would have a positive effect on the world.
from richdig15

From richdig155 on Mon Oct 06 12:41PM
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Went to Starbucks in Leeds last Saturday.
Plumbing may be clean but the floor was filthy.
Last time we will go.

From g30918 on Mon Oct 06 12:41PM
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I THINK THE WORLD SHOULD BOYCOTT THEM NOW YES! wonder if there is a peition to be made or done?!

From drlukemccabe on Mon Oct 06 12:41PM
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Obviously they dont want to show their support for any type of war, it's common sense, they don't want to damage their public image and it would be lunacy in business terms.. big deal, everyone wastes water, we pay for it so we can do what we like, tree huggers being over opinionated as usual, just because starbucks is a huge corporation, you people cant stand others success and will do anything to bring it down..Right i'm off to starbucks for my daily fix...long live frappucino's!!!

From vickramy203 on Mon Oct 06 12:42PM
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Oh my such a waste of water, if they wanted to prevent germs in the taps they could buy a small UV filter in the tap which kills germs. Yes i agree DONT DRINK AT STARBUCKS !!!

From robertbeare on Mon Oct 06 12:42PM
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yeah boycott now!!! anyway you saves yourself some money too, they are evil anyway I remember seeing a do@#$%entary where they would place new stores near to rival companies knowing that the store wont make money but will hurt the competition!

From redline748 on Mon Oct 06 12:42PM
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I couldn't believe it. Are they really that stupid? I am now an ex customer.

From kat4kiefer on Mon Oct 06 12:42PM
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I wouldn't say that running cold water constantly is a waste. it will just go through the same cycle again entually....

From nnds@rocketmail.com on Mon Oct 06 12:42PM
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Thats them off my shopping list ........

From exvelo on Mon Oct 06 12:43PM
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