hankyoreh

Starbucks Korea has announced that it will be replacing all its plastics straws with paper ones in all branches in the country, which amount to more than 1,200, starting Nov. 26. The paper straws have been introduced on a trial basis in over 100 branches throughout Seoul, Busan and Jeju since September. Responding to customer complaints that the straws grew soggy and brittle when placed in beverages for long periods of time, the company has since upgraded its paper-based straws with a thick coating that prevents them from getting soggy. The company has also introduced new “sippy lids,” made of recyclable material, to replace straws altogether. Plastic cups will also be scrapped in favor of paper ones, effectively removing all plastics in their branches.