Starbucks to Launch Eco-Lab in Costa Rica

Image Courtesy of Starbucks

Starbucks Coffee Co. (Seattle) has unveiled plans to develop a new sustainability learning and innovation lab at Hacienda Alsacia, its global agronomy headquarters for research and development in Costa Rica.

The company said the lab “will serve as a hub for hands-on and virtual learning opportunities for Starbucks partners (employees), students, researchers and industry leaders to innovate and scale sustainable solutions for some of the world’s most challenging environmental and social issues, including climate adaption and agricultural economics.”

Starting this fall, the lab will offer educational programming to select Arizona State University students and Starbucks partners. The first wave will leverage ASU’s leading educational technology and faculty to enrich the student experience, including study abroad opportunities tied to existing ASU degree programs, such as Sustainability, Sustainable Food Systems, Global Agribusiness, Environmental and Resource Management, among others.

The Starbucks lab is expected to physically open within the next three years.

“This is an opportunity for us to advance Starbucks environmental promise to give more than we take and our farmer promise to ensure the future of coffee for all,” said Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan. “We know we cannot do this important work alone, and the possibilities in front of us to scale solutions, partner with thought leaders and serve as a global hub for innovation are limitless.”

Starbucks and ASU have long worked together to build educational and innovative programming. Most recently, Starbucks and ASU reached a milestone of graduating more 10,000 partners through the Starbucks College Achievement Program.

Launched in 1971, Starbucks now has more than 35,000 stores worldwide.