May 26, 2010 – Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX) celebrates the opening of its newest store in Fukuoka, Japan. Inspired by Starbucks Shared Planet, the company’s ongoing commitment to ethical sourcing, environmental stewardship and community involvement, the store’s design reflects the character of the surrounding neighborhood and helps to reduce environmental impacts. Located at the center of Ohori Park, it is the first Starbucks store in Asia to be registered for LEED certification.
“Our new design approach will reinvigorate customer experience in Asia because it aligns with the evolving lifestyle and values of Asian customers. The Ohori Park store is a good example of how we aspire to cultivate an enhanced sense of community and environmental consciousness. We look forward to bringing this kind of innovation to more customers around the Asia Pacific region,” said Andy Adams, vice president, Store Development, Starbucks Coffee Asia Pacific.
The Ohori Park store was constructed and designed to integrate into the existing landscape and to preserve surrounding trees. The design also minimizes energy and water consumption, incorporates locally-sourced and reused or recycled materials, and employs creative methods to inspire partners (employees) and customers to make environmentally responsible decisions in their daily lives. Specific examples include:
* Low table tops were built with reclaimed wood
* Chairs previously used in other stores were reupholstered rather than sent to a landfill
* Coffee grounds produced by the store are used as compost for the surrounding landscape
* Most Forest Stewardship Council certified wood materials were sourced locally in Kyushu
* LED bulbs reduce energy consumption
* Large windows provide natural lighting
* High reflection paint improves heat insulation
* Louver screens and “engawa” style roof overhangs, as well as insulated exterior walls and window frames, are used to block the sun and reduce heating and cooling needs
* Rainwater collected from the roof is used to nourish the landscape and flush toilets
As Starbucks continues to expand in the Asia Pacific region, the company plans to build and renovate stores according to its new global design strategy, with long-term goals related to energy and water conservation, recycling and green construction. Starbucks aims to achieve LEED certification for all of its new company-owned stores beginning later this year. In order to reach this goal, Starbucks is participating in a LEED Volume Certification pilot program that makes broad-scope green building plans feasible by enabling significant cost and time efficiencies. The Ohori Park store is one of 12 Starbucks locations around the world that are participating in the pilot.
For more information about Starbucks environmental goals and recent milestones, visit www.starbucks.com/responsibility2009.
Source: Starbucks
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