Starbucks gets the ‘green’ light

The Fort is first store to use Philips’ LED solutions 


(PHOTOS FROM STARBUCKS)

First "green" Starbucks located at The Fort, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

TO "go green” cannot be all talk; it involves a lot of work. While being environmentally friendly is certainly the emerging trend, to be so isn’t as simple as joining a “green” band wagon. To be good to Mother Earth requires a whole lot of effort.

Big businesses too have to take little steps before they make major leaps. Case in point is Starbucks Philippines, which lighted its very first “green” outlet at The Fort in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, in partnership with Philips Electronics.

The store now uses Philips LED solutions, or light emitting diodes. This technology, first and foremost, guarantees the reduction of electricity consumption. Regular compact fluorescent lamps, to compare, consume 280 watts, while LEDs only consume 19 watts.

Secondly, the smart bulbs are also environmentally friendly because they do not contain mercury and therefore do not emit infrared and ultraviolet radiation.

According to Noey Lopez, chief operating officer of Rustan Coffee Corp.

(Starbucks Philippines), Philips LED solutions is the “perfect choice” for lighting the stores. “The reputation of Philips lies in creating quality products. At the same time, we [Philips and Starbucks] share the same philosophy of acting responsibly towards the environment an] the community,” he explained.

Cozy and warm ambiance inside the Starbucks at The Fort

Philips Electronics’ Country Manager Rico Gonzalez, meanwhile, announced, “Philips has repositioned itself as a health and well-being company. [We are] pushing the subject of health and well-being while focusing on the lighting needs of consumers.”

All through Starbucks The Fort, LED lights are used—from exterior lights to the interior lights, decorative lamps and even the pin lights that shine on the paintings. The light’s hue is yellowish to maintain the warm and cozy ambience that is the Starbucks store trademark.

The LED lights in the kitchen and the counter, meanwhile, are brighter and more intense. As Ria Nuñez, Philips Electronics’ product manager, elaborated, “[This is so] the baristas and chefs can properly see the food they are preparing.”

Interior and decorative lights with Philip's LED solutions

With this move, Starbucks is a step closer to becoming LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), through the help of Philips’ sustainable lighting solutions. A LEED certification is an international verification for buildings with green designs and strategies that aims to reduce negative impacts to the environment.

Lopez verified this saying, “Starbucks is always looking for ways to improve the environmental performance of our stores. Designing, building and operating stores in ways that reduce our impact on the planet is important for us. This is why we have incorporated everything from responsible building materials and furnishings to energy- and water-efficient measures into store designs.”

*Story was first published for The Manila Times.