Starbucks

Flagged · Avoid

Global coffee chain with 36,000+ locations that built its identity on "ethical sourcing," while facing lawsuits over those claims and widespread worker strikes over pay and conditions.

Last updated May 7, 2026

Reasons to avoid

Issues span:LaborEnvironmentTax

Aggressive union busting activities, including firing pro-union workers and closing unionized stores.apnews.com2023-03-01
$38.9 million settlement with NYC for violating the law more than half a million times since 2021 by failing to provide workers with stable schedules.nytimes.com2025-12-01
Excessive waste from single-use cups and packaging, contributing to landfill overflow and plastic pollution.cnbc.com2023-06-03
Tax avoidance schemes through offshore subsidiaries, depriving local communities of tax revenue.mongabay.com2025-04-01

Ethical alternatives

Retail Coffee