Swapping cruelly obtained cow’s milk for soy, almond, or coconut milk is beneficial to the planet, animals, and humans’ own health. Why, then, does a massive chain like Starbucks force its compassionate customers to pay upwards of 80 cents for vegan milk?
We’re as clueless as you are. 😕
We were thrilled when Starbucks finally added a soy milk option. But charging customers extra for it? Not so thrilling.
As of September 13, 2019, more than 128,600 people have written to Starbucks using our action alert to ask that the company stop charging extra for dairy-free milk. Countless others have taken to Twitter, Facebook, and elsewhere to voice their frustrations—including us:
Why @Starbucks Should Stop Charging Extra for Soy Milk. https://t.co/Tz7vJtieTI
— PETA (@peta) June 27, 2017
In July, activists gathered outside the headquarters of Starbucks in Seattle holding signs proclaiming, “Soymilk Surcharge Sux,” “Vegan Surcharge: Udder Nonsense,” and “Surcharge Unfair for People of Color” …
… to make it clear that animal rights advocates, lactose-intolerant coffee drinkers, and environmentalists (practically all consumers) want the chain to dump its surcharge for adding dairy-free milk to a drink.
The surcharge is unfair to customers who oppose animal abuse—such as the separation of mother cows from their calves in the dairy industry—and it punishes people who are lactose intolerant (most of whom are people of color) as well as anyone who chooses vegan milk in order to reduce methane-gas emissions.
Click here to read more about the way Starbucks’ policy is discriminatory. >>
Here are just some of the people who are as tired of paying extra to decalf their Starbucks beverages as we are:
Also!I'm always frustrated by extra charges for non-dairy milk. Y should we be penalized 4 making the eco-choice? It would be amazing for @Starbucks to lead the way &consider enviro externalities associated w the dairy industry by having dairy cost + or at least = plantmilk fees.
— Alicia Silverstone (@AliciaSilv) September 10, 2019
IMA JUST SAY THIS ONE (1) TIME:
can places charge extra for cows milk and charge regular price for milk substitutes…imagine the POWER Starbucks could have— han (@hannahohio97) December 29, 2018
Hey @Starbucks how bout not charging 60 cents extra for soy milk? Some of us prefer to not suckle from a cow's teat as standard practice.
— (((KILLER ACID))) (@killeracid) November 28, 2017
Starbucks offers a 10 cent discount for using a reusable cup but charges 60 cents for more sustainable plant based milk options. Something is not right here… pic.twitter.com/MhDeCASsQc
— Tori Kravitz (@torikravitz) September 21, 2018
sorry @starbucks but like why do you call yourselves eco-friendly but then when i order almond milk in my drink u UPCHARGE ME WHAT pic.twitter.com/sn6QveKdtC
— Peyton Johnson (@peyjohnson) June 12, 2019
why does starbucks charge if i wanna replace regular milk w almond milk???
— Ur Fav Candy (@_candylannnd) February 5, 2019
s/o to all the Starbucks baristas who don’t charge extra for almond milk, y’all are appreciated
— Miriam (@miriyuhm) April 30, 2019
Their coffee is expensive enough, I’m SURE they make enough money to not charge extra for little changes like that. In London all the little coffee shops don’t charge extra for swapping regular milk with something else. @Starbucks get with the times.
— T A T I A N A (@tatianaa_mariee) June 18, 2019
@Starbucks lately I been noticing that you charge extra for almond milk, why? pic.twitter.com/o5KzgXXDhB
— Rachel Diaz (@pinkierachie) June 17, 2019
Instead of charging extra for non dairy milk, @Starbucks should charge extra for not bringing your own reusable cup because THAT is how small changes can benefit our environment
— lil intro vert (@lexerzzzz) May 28, 2019
i love starbucks but it’s really rude of them to charge 50¢ for almond milk, sorry my lactose intolerance is so inconvenient @Starbucks
— madeline (@maddyrondeau_) March 22, 2019
petition for starbucks to not charge you extra for non-dairy milk it’s 2019 no one drinks dairy anymore!!
— ✿caitlin✿ (@supccaitlinn) February 8, 2019
i never tell them i want coconut milk in my chai until after i already paid at starbucks so i don't have to pay the extra charge so i guess you could call me a scamming connoisseur
— saturn (@gothlatina) April 13, 2018
The guy at Starbucks…
1. knows my name
2. knows my order (refers to it as the “normal”)
3. doesn’t charge me extra for my coconut milkI’ll let you know when the wedding is.
— Nicholas Bader (@nich0lasjbader) November 11, 2017
I’m not trying to start drama but god is a woman and her name is When Starbucks Workers Forget To Charge You For Almond Milk
— katymarie (@katymrie) October 23, 2017
when the guy at Starbucks doesn't charge you extra for soy milk so he got u thinkin about marriage
— katherine strohmann (@katherinestroh) November 15, 2015
Im sorry. I just don't think its okay for starbucks to charge me an extra 60 cents for soy milk cause real milk is gross and makes me vomit.
— BITCHEL (@MitchelWolf) March 30, 2014
Hey @starbucks is there a reason you charge me an extra .65 for soy milk even though its the same price as regular milk at the grocery store
— kayla (@kayhaby) October 24, 2012
Dear @Starbucks , Why do you charge an extra .60 for soy but not for dairy milk? What's sup wit dat? Jerks!
— James Bowman (@jimmyjames_b) June 6, 2011
Sorry Starbucks. They are much cheaper and they don't charge me extra for soy milk (@ Grandaisy Bakery) http://4sq.com/7Jp1AI
— Wes Koval (@WesandhisPic) October 18, 2010
Why do they charge extra for soy milk? Wish there would be more alternatives at airports, dislike starbucks and have been twice in a week.
— ninarieke (@ninarieke) September 21, 2010
Anyone want to join me in starting a #petition to stop #Starbucks from charging a .60 surcharge on soy milk? #irritated #foryears
— Jillana Carniglia (@jmcarniglia) November 6, 2015
Starbucks charges .60 cents for soy milk now? Highway robbery. #WestchesterGirlProblems
— Westchester Problems (@WC_Problems) September 24, 2013
can we talk about how starbucks charges 60 CENTS more for almond/soy milk?? WHY must I pay more bc my bowels can’t handle cow milk???
— sick sad world⚡️ (@mac_dunzo) April 2, 2019
It really gets me heated that substituting almond milk at Starbucks is a whole 60 CENTS LIKE WHAT
— lucy (@lucyeberger) November 6, 2018
why am I penalized 60 cents for wanting soymilk instead of cow milk in my drink at starbucks!!! dairy is gross!!!!
— skyler (@skygauu) April 2, 2016
I just really feel like I shouldn’t have to pay 60 cents at Starbucks for coconut milk instead of cow milk
— Kendra (@kenz_amos) February 17, 2018
starbucks charging 60 cents for dairy alternatives when they’re cheaper than actual milk is the reason climate change exists
— amanda (@mandamarieidk) January 31, 2019
Starbucks really charged me 60 cents for a splash of almond milk. Pls, I’m just trying to not kill my body
— sarah (@imfcknlit) March 22, 2018
It's a crime that @Starbucks charges 60 cents extra for soy milk.
— chris uribe (@Christianydg) June 16, 2019
Why would @Starbucks change making coconut milk in an ice coffee .60 more cents that's a rip off. Lost me #starbucks
— Brandon Colbein (@Brandoncolbein) April 14, 2016
Why is soy milk 60 cents extra at @Starbucks??? Sorry I didn't ask to be lactose intolerant. Why do I have to pay extra for it?
— Ethel Mwedziwendira (@ethelmwedzii) February 10, 2016
But please explain to me how @Starbucks will give out cookie straws but charge me $.60 for soy milk? pic.twitter.com/hNoews796H
— Jessica Marino (@Itsjessss17) April 29, 2015
Just found out for 5+ years I've been up charged 60 cents for the soy milk in my @Starbucks drinks. Feeling very betrayed.
— Christie ❁ (@babicislove) February 10, 2015
Dear @Starbucks , Why do you charge an extra .60 for soy but not for dairy milk? What's sup wit dat? Jerks!
— James Bowman (@jimmyjames_b) June 6, 2011
Soy milk is now an additional 60 cents! What's up with that? (@ Starbucks w/ @alexamich) http://4sq.com/f70DNy
— Wilfred (@wilfredphua) March 1, 2011
. @starbucks now charging 60 cents for soy milk. Was 50 cents. Should be free.
— Carly Medosch (@CarlyRM) January 9, 2011
Why did I just pay $.80 for almond milk in my Starbucks? I know that shits only like $3 at Whole Foods.
— rachel lynch (@rachlynchh) March 12, 2019
me: *flirts with starbucks barista so he doesn’t charge me 80 cents extra for coconut milk*
— austin (@iAustinLucas) March 31, 2018
#Starbucks charges an extra 60 cents for syrups AND 80 cents if you want soy milk. I knew I should have gone to #Biggby….
— 〽️arty (@martymcflyby88) September 6, 2011
starbucks worker: *doesn’t charge me for almond milk*
me: pic.twitter.com/5C8QMPY5Zr— Tori (@tdiamond96) January 15, 2018
When the Starbucks barista forgets to charge you for coconut milk pic.twitter.com/sczE9YepMv
— ✨ Fairy Bradshaw ✨ (@missparisrose) June 18, 2016
Humans aren’t the only animals who want Starbucks to nix its vegan-milk surcharge. Anna—a cow forced to endure a painful leg injury for weeks at Reitz Dairy Farm in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania—does, too:
So does this cow’s calf (whose milk was stolen by humans):
In the dairy industry, mother cows’ babies are typically taken away from them within one to three days—and they never get to see each other again. Male calves are usually sold to the veal industry and killed after just a few miserable months. Female calves will likely be forced to follow in their mothers’ footsteps—used and exploited for their milk until they either succumb to the abuse or are slaughtered for meat.
Starbucks should charge extra for cow’s milk, not vegan milk.
The move would certainly bolster the company’s claims of having a positive social impact and being environmentally mindful.
“As a company, we’ve made sustainability a priority,” claims Starbucks.
Perhaps the coffee chain should consider the detrimental effect that dairy farms have on the environment. Cows produce a lot of waste (which can end up in our waterways and drinking water) as well as methane (which is 25 to 100 times more damaging to the atmosphere than CO2). Nixing its dairy-free milk surcharge would undoubtedly entice more customers to opt for the kinder milk choice, truly reducing Starbucks’ environmental impact.
Cow’s milk is for calves. 🐄
Smart, compassionate, and health-conscious consumers know what’s up. We’d choose soy, almond, coconut, or any other vegan milk option over a beverage associated with rape, distress, and slaughter any day of the week (and twice on Sundays). What we’re not into is paying extra to keep our coffee free of cow secretions.
Did you know that many other chains—including Tim Hortons, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Noah’s New York Bagels, Philz Coffee, and Costa Coffee—offer dairy-free milk at no extra charge? It’s true!