Starbucks touts new ‘green’ S.C. roasting plant

Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle)

Starbucks Corp. said its new roasting plant in Calhoun County in South Carolina has been awarded a “green” designation from a national building organization.

The Seattle coffee giant (NASDAQ: SBUX) said the central South Carolina plant has been awarded a “silver” LEED certificate for new construction from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Starbucks officials have vowed to “significantly” reduce the company’s environmental footprint by 2015. At the new plant, 20 percent of building materials were from recycled content and more than 75 percent of construction waste was recycled, they said, adding that a portion of the plant’s power will be supplied by wind energy.

“In this business climate, it’s more important than ever that we make the right investments in our business, while making sure we do it in ways that support our business, the communities we work in, the environment and our people,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, president and CEO, in a statement.

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