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Starbucks to Start Serving Glass Cups for Frappuccinos, Shaken Teas and Other Cold Drinks for Dine-in Customers!

Published: 2026-01-28 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/28, Once, everyone on the street carried a disposable plastic cup; now, these cups have become hard to find. To reduce dependence on disposable plastic cups, governments and catering brands have implemented regulations banning their use. Starting next month, Starbucks Japan will provide glass cups for cold drinks ordered for dine-in.

The Evolution from Disposable Plastic Cups to Sustainable Alternatives

Once upon a time, disposable plastic cups were ubiquitous on streets everywhere; today, they've become increasingly scarce. To reduce dependence on disposable plastic cups, governments and food service brands have implemented regulations banning their use. Starting next month, Starbucks Japan will provide glass cups for cold beverages consumed in-store.

Starbucks' Sustainability Initiative

As summer approaches, cold beverages begin to capture people's attention. Observant customers might have noticed that Starbucks serves cold drinks in disposable plastic cups not only for takeout but also for in-store consumption. To achieve its goal of "reducing plastic waste by 50% by 2030," Starbucks has launched a sustainability plan, which includes providing reusable cups to discourage the use of disposable coffee cups.

Japan's Implementation of Glass Cups

Starbucks Japan is following the sustainability plans of Starbucks US and Starbucks Korea. Starting April 18, 2022, Starbucks Japan will provide glass cups for cold beverages consumed in-store across 106 Japanese locations. These glass cups will be available in sizes suitable for Short, Tall, Grand, and Venti cold beverages. However, the glass cups sized for Grand and Venti cold beverages will only be available at Reserve stores.

Glass Cup Design Details

Many customers have some impression of Starbucks glass cup designs. With Starbucks Japan now offering glass cups for in-store cold beverages, does this mean customers will have the opportunity to personally use some of Starbucks' rare glass cup designs? The answer is: not necessarily. The in-store cold beverage glass cups provided by Starbucks feature an American pint glass shape, with the Starbucks logo printed on the exterior.

The Challenge of Sustainability

Modern cold coffee beverages feature attractive designs with patterns and layers, making them perfect for photos when served in transparent plastic cups.

With increasing scarcity of oil resources and worsening environmental pollution, people have not yet developed the habit of carrying their own cups when going out. Disposable cups have become nearly impossible to find. As previously reported by Cafe Workshop, American coffee drinkers might soon be reduced to drinking coffee with their bare hands, while restaurants are sharing disposable cup and lid inventories with peers. Additionally, Starbucks previously "mandatorily implemented" related environmental plans, requiring customers to pay a $1 deposit before receiving their beverages.

Challenges with Reusable Cups

However, reusable cups have also faced scrutiny. During the pandemic, with viruses prevalent, people worry about the health status of the previous user of the reusable cup they're holding, as well as whether the cup has been properly cleaned after use. Additionally, having to return to a Starbucks store to reclaim deposits is too troublesome for people who consider walking to the subway as exercise during their commute.

Current Situation in China

Currently, searching for Starbucks-related new products on online platforms reveals that most Starbucks locations in China continue to provide disposable plastic cups and lids.