Starbucks, a global coffeehouse chain known for its commitment to ethical and sustainable practices, embarked on a new construction project in Birmingham, UK. This drive-thru Starbucks location aimed to align with the company’s core values of offering ethically sourced and sustainably produced products while supporting local communities. This Starbucks drive-thru successfully achieved its sustainability goals by utilizing Accoya wood cladding, a highly eco-friendly and durable material.

The Starbucks drive-thru project had a clear focus on environmental sustainability. It aimed to attain BREEAM Excellent status, reflecting the commitment to eco-conscious construction practices. Starbucks extended its responsibility from sourcing coffee beans to ensuring the sustainability of the environments in which it serves its products.

Vincent Timber, a specialist in cladding solutions, played a crucial role in the project by selecting Accoya wood as the primary cladding material. Accoya wood is renowned for its exceptional sustainability credentials, including Forest Stewardship Council, FSC® (C012330) accreditation, a 50+ year life expectancy, and Cradle to Cradle Certified® Gold and Cradle to Cradle Platinum certification for material health, signifying its low carbon footprint and non-toxicity.

Timber Preparation:

Vincent Timber’s commitment to sustainability extended to the timber preparation process. All timber preparation was carried out at their factory facility, minimizing on-site disruption and reducing waste. In this case, they machined the timber to the desired profile and delivered it to James E. Hatch and Sons for coating.

Eco-Friendly Coating System:

To further enhance the sustainability of the project, Vincent Timber applied an eco-friendly coating system to the Accoya wood cladding. The coating system, adhering to Teknos’ application specifications, included the following layers:

• 1410 preservative stain
• 2900 aquaplus Base stain tinted to cotswold oak
• Two coats of 2600 aqua top tinted to cotswold oak

Laura Keily @ Accsys Technologies PLC “We are thrilled that Accoya was specified for the exterior cladding for Birmingham’s new Starbucks drive thru. Working with Vincent Timber, specialists in cladding, and Accoya has enabled the project to be designed and supplied without problems. By specifying Accoya wood there is no compromise on performance and sustainability, which is key to the Starbucks’ 2030 commitment. This project represents one of many Starbucks projects clad with Accoya in the UK and overseas. As a sustainable company ourselves we are delighted Accoya is part of the future development of their stores and hope to see more stores clad with Accoya in the future.”

The Starbucks drive-thru in Birmingham serves as an exemplary case of how a global brand can integrate sustainability into every aspect of its operations, from the sourcing of materials to the construction of its physical locations. By choosing Accoya wood cladding and implementing eco-conscious timber preparation and coating practices, Starbucks achieved its sustainability objectives while maintaining the highest quality standards. This project not only reflects Starbucks’ commitment to sustainability but also sets a positive precedent for future sustainable store development within the brand.