Starbucks Türkiye to open stores under "Green Store" criteria

Starbucks Turkey, which operates 14 "Green Stores" in Turkey, today added another to its roster of eco-friendly locations in line with its sustainability targets. The company announced that all future stores will open under "Green Store" criteria. Starbucks, aiming to reduce global carbon emissions, water consumption and waste sent to landfills by 50 percent by 2030, continues to put its resources toward positive goals by certifying more than 6,000 "Green Stores" across more than 30 markets. The brand, which aims to build or convert 10,000 "Green Stores" globally by 2025, is accelerating steps toward establishing a sustainable future in the retail sector. Çeşme Ilıca Drive Thru stands out for efficient resource use according to Starbucks' global "Green Store" criteria developed with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The eco-friendly "Green Store," designed with sustainability and efficiency in mind, adapts to the environment while demonstrating resilience to adverse weather conditions through natural stone cladding on its exterior facade. Corten cladding made from recyclable steel used on the interior facade increases the building's longevity while requiring minimal maintenance. Blind formwork systems used during construction reduce concrete consumption, provide structural stability, and offer protection against moisture and radon gas that may seep from the ground. Solar energy panels contribute to clean energy generation while reducing carbon emissions and operating costs. Meanwhile, rainwater harvesting and endemic landscaping applications that promote the growth of native vegetation support water conservation while maintaining ecological balance. An air conditioning system controlled by a single outdoor unit with multiple indoor units applies VRF systems to provide efficient heating and cooling, while air curtains minimize temperature differences inside. Terrazzo flooring, made using natural stone aggregates through zero-carbon-footprint sustainable production processes, completes the environmentally conscious store design. As a result of all these measures, the Çeşme Ilıca Drive Thru store generates 12-15 kW of energy annually, achieves 12 to 15 percent energy savings, and meets 8 percent of the store's water consumption through its rainwater collection system. Figen Ilgaz, Vice President of Starbucks Turkey and Azerbaijan, made the following comments on the matter: "We are delighted that our Çeşme Ilıca Drive Thru store in Izmir has been selected as 'Green Store of the Year' in the EMEA region by achieving the highest score. As Alshaya Starbucks, we place environmental sustainability and social responsibility at the center of our business. Our 15th Green Store in Turkey is a manifestation of this mission. We strive to demonstrate our contributions to the environment and society while our guests enjoy their favorite coffees. We reiterate our commitment to building a sustainable future through collaboration with the community and plan to open more Green Stores in Turkey." Michael Kobori, Sustainability Manager at Starbucks, said: "It is exciting to move toward our global target of 10,000 Green Stores, an important strategy for fulfilling our environmental commitment. Our Green Stores are made possible by our partners (employees) and their belief in sustainability. Together, we continue to build a sustainable future for our community and our world."