Starbucks Korea Brings Back Plastic Straw After Seven Years
By Kayla Lee
Embedded Files
Plastic straws are returning to some Starbucks locations in South Korea for the first time in seven years since their removal in 2018, following persistent customer complaints about the company’s paper alternatives. Beginning June 25, Starbucks Korea offered both paper and plant-based plastic straws at approximately 200 stores nationwide, primarily in areas near large hospitals and residential districts.
The shift comes despite the global urgency to curb plastic waste. According to the United Nations Environmental Programme, between 19 and 20 million tons of plastic waste enter lakes, rivers, and seas each year, yet only about 9% of the plastic produced worldwide is recycled.
Starbucks Korea’s trial is a partial reversal of its 2018 move to paper straws, a change once hailed as an industry-leading effort to reduce single-use plastic waste. However, many customers have expressed frustration over paper straws becoming soggy too quickly, affecting drink texture and flavor. A company representative acknowledged these concerns, explaining that the trial reintroduction reflects “the diverse opinions of customers such as patients and infants who find it inconvenient to use paper straws.”
The newly introduced plastic straws differ from conventional petroleum-based products. They are made from sugarcane, a renewable plant-based resource, and classified as bioplastics. According to the company, these straws are designed to be less harmful to the environment than traditional plastics. Each participating store will be equipped with dedicated collection bins to facilitate immediate separation and recycling.
Similar adjustments have been made in other markets. Starbucks Japan, which also made the switch to paper straws in recent years, reintroduced plastic straws in January 2024 after facing comparable consumer pushback.In Japan’s case, the reintroduced straws are biodegradable, breaking down in seawater and soil into carbon dioxide and water, helping to mitigate marine pollution.
In South Korea, the shift comes amid broader regulatory changes. The Ministry of Environment has been evaluating the full life cycle environmental impact (LCA) of both plastic and paper straws since last year. In 2023, the ministry relaxed certain restrictions on single-use items, extending the grace period for the plastic straw ban and removing prohibitions on paper cups in cafes and restaurants. Since 2022, plastic straws, stirrers, and single-use plastic cups have been banned in most food and beverage outlets. The ministry’s findings could influence whether these bans remain in place or are revised. Starbucks Korea, which operates around 2,000 stores nationwide, is focusing its trial in locations with a high proportion of vulnerable customers.
Notable trial locations include Korea University Anam Hospital and Kangbuk Samsung Hospital in Seoul. The urgency of reducing plastic pollution remains pressing. Starbucks’ pilot program will serve as a test of whether plant-based plastics can be part of a practical solution, balancing consumer needs with environmental goals. Whether the plant-based plastic straw becomes a permanent option in Starbucks Korea stores will depend on customer feedback, recycling efficiency, and the Ministry of Environment’s regulatory decisions.
Citations
Starbucks Eliminates Plastic Straws in Japan in 2020 : Starbucks Stories Asia, stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2019/starbucks-eliminates-plastic-straws-in-japan-beginning-january-2020/. Accessed 8 Sept. 2025.
The Chosun Daily. “Starbucks Korea Reintroduces Plastic Straws after 7 Years.” The Chosun Daily, 25 June 2025, www.chosun.com/english/industry-en/2025/06/25/YVE6UNQPU5HAPGVZKIVQDUZELQ/.
The Chosun Daily. “S. Korea Falls behind in Eco-Friendly Straw Revolution.” The Chosun Daily, 9 Jan. 2025, www.chosun.com/english/industry-en/2025/01/09/Q2V4G3TVRRAGPK4BSSSHWF2VGQ/.
Starbucks Eliminates Plastic Straws in Japan in 2020 : Starbucks Stories Asia, stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2019/starbucks-eliminates-plastic-straws-in-japan-beginning-january-2020/. Accessed 8 Sept. 2025.
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