Global coffeehouse chain Starbucks has committed to eliminate single-use plastic straws across its 28,000 company-operated and licensed stores globally.

This initiative is expected to eliminate more than one billion plastic straws per year from Starbucks stores worldwide.

As an alternative to plastic straws, the company plans to introduce straw-less lid or alternative-material straw options available to customers.

Currently available for select beverages across 8,000 stores in the US and Canada, the company will be implementing a pilot of the straw-less lids for its Nitro beverages in China, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Starbucks also plans to introduce these lids to customers in Seattle and Vancouver during this autumn followed by phased rollouts within the US and Canada in FY19.

The lids will then be introduced in Europe in select stores in France and the Netherlands followed by the UK.

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In addition, the coffeehouse chain plans to offer straws made from alternative materials such as paper or compostable plastic for its frappuccino blended beverages. These materials will be offered to customers based on request.

Under the NextGen Cup Consortium and Challenge, Starbucks recently announced $10m investment to develop a fully recyclable and compostable hot cup in collaboration with Closed Loop Partners.

Last month, Starbucks chief executive officer Kevin Johnson in his investors presentation outlined that the company will adapt to changing consumer trends with cold beverages.

He also noted that the company plans to achieve 99% ethically-sourced coffee, trial a 5p paper cup charge in London followed by expansion to 950 stores in the UK later this month.