Starbucks Encourages Canadians to Pledge to do some Green

To view the Social Media Release, click here: http://smr.newswire.ca/en/starbucks/encourages-canadians-to-pledge-to-do-some-green

Strengthened partnership with environmental not-for-profit group Evergreen aims to revitalize urban spaces across Canada

TORONTO, July 19 /CNW/ - Starbucks Canada is asking Canadians to join them to Pledge to do some Green this summer as part of the company's support for Evergreen's stewardship and restoration program, which brings people together with nature to restore, protect and steward public green spaces across the country.

Consumers who make a formal pledge at www.facebook.com/starbuckscanada to devote time to green their local community and inspire others to do the same will receive a free tall cup of Pike's Place roast at participating Starbucks locations across Canada.

The Pledge to do some Green initiative is part of a new level of partnership between Starbucks and Evergreen that builds on a seven year relationship that has included Starbucks support for Evergreen's Vancouver Earth Day event. Starbucks has also directly supported many of Evergreen's stewardship and restoration projects and also provided them with a Youth Action Grant to assist in helping young people from low income groups in Toronto and Vancouver to develop green-related training and employment skills.

"This partnership complements the ongoing efforts of Starbucks to do business responsibly and to take care of the communities where we do business," said Colette Bennett, marketing manager with Starbucks Coffee Canada. "We are proud to be partnering with Evergreen as an extension of this commitment and in support of the work they are doing to green communities across Canada."

This year's partnership also includes a commitment by 600 Starbucks partners (employees) to contribute at least 2000 hours at six launch events across the country to get their hands dirty and assist Evergreen in a variety of stewardship and restoration activities across the country, including planting and grounds maintenance.

"One of our goals as an organization is to create a sustainable society where people and businesses can live in harmony with, and contribute meaningfully, to their local environment," said Stewart Chisholm, Common Grounds program director for Evergreen. "Partnerships such as this are integral to the continued success of Evergreen and our ability to support community-driven efforts that make our communities more livable."

Support for Starbucks' Shared Planet(TM) program

As part of the company's Shared Planet(TM) commitment, Starbucks is engaged in various initiatives and partnerships across Canada and around the globe - with a focus on environmental stewardship, community involvement and ethical sourcing.

"The partnership with Evergreen is natural fit with our Shared Planet(TM) objectives - a commitment to doing business in ways that are good to the earth and to each other, from the way we buy our coffee, to minimizing our environmental footprint and being involved in local communities," said Bennett. "Evergreen provides Starbucks with a dedicated partner to help our customers and partners to feel pride and partnership in environmental stewardship programs and know they are helping Evergreen to benefit the local communities where they work and live."

Pledge to do some Green

For more information on the "Pledge to do some Green" initiative, consumers can visit the Starbucks Canada Facebook page at www.facebook.com/starbuckscanada to make a formal pledge, get green ideas and also find out more information on Evergreen.

Consumers are also encouraged to visit www.evergreen.ca for helpful tips and ideas on the different ways people can do their part to make their local community a greener place.

About Starbucks

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com. To view the Starbucks 2009 Global Responsibility Report, please visit starbucks.com/responsibility.

About Evergreen

Evergreen is a not-for-profit organization that makes cities more livable. By deepening the connection between people and nature, and empowering Canadians to take a hands-on approach to their urban environments, Evergreen is improving the health of our cities - now and for the future. Since 1991 Evergreen volunteers have dedicated some 500,000 hours at more than 2,500 stewardship and planting events in communities across Canada.

For further information: Colette Bennett, Starbucks Coffee Company, 604-630-5258, [email protected]; James Bigg, Edelman for Starbucks Coffee Company, 416-979-1120 ext. 352, [email protected]