Say Goodbye to Plastic Straws at Starbucks The company announced plastic straws will be eliminated globally by 2020. This makes them the largest food and beverage company to make this step towards being eco-friendly. Starbucks will use biodegradable straws and specifically designed lids. This announcement happened one week after Seattle banned plastic straws and utensils. While the company already offers alternative straws in Seattle, strawless lids will start in Seattle and Vancouver this fall. Phased rollouts will follow in 2020.