I enjoy Starbucks very much, am a stock holder in the company and have an overall appreciation for their business model. However, I continue to be very concerned about the environmental impact posed by the immense amount of packing that accompanies their product. For example, a tall Americano will typically be double cupped with a cozy. This packaging has an impact on the overall environment and ultimately the waste management systems of the communities where Starbuck stores are located. I would appreciate efforts by Starbucks to experiment by modifying their business processes such that more consumers are offered the “for here” option in order to avoid the disposable containers. Also, Starbucks has not had a “for here” option for the Venti size (only for Grande and Tall). I travel frequently to Europe and appreciate the coffee culture there for many reasons, but the primary reason is that nearly all beverages are served in non-disposable containers. When I first traveled to Europe in 2001, the “take away” coffee concept was not even an option in most shops. Having just returned from Europe, I noticed the sharp increase in both the number of Starbucks stores and in “take away” options promoted and offered by local coffee shops. On the positive side, in Munich, Germany, it appeared that most Starbucks beverages consumed in the store were served in non-disposable containers. However, in Vienna, Austria, most beverages consumed in the store were in disposable containers and many more “take away” coffees were visible on the streets than in Munich. I have concern about entering a foreign market with a “disposable container” business model and the impact this will have on the local communities that do not currently support this business model. In the meantime, I continue to remind myself to request “for here” when I do not intend to leave the shop so that I can consume my beverage in a non-disposable container. With the combination of creativity and compassion exhibited by the Starbucks business model, the potential exists for a very creative solution to this problem.