Starbucks' new line of protein drinks is turning heads for all the wrong reasons. While the company is looking to tap into a booming U.S. demand for high-protein drinks, a report from Green Queen outlined just how its choice of whey-based protein powder could seriously undermine its own sustainability goals.

What's happening?

Starbucks recently announced the rollout of protein-boosted lattes and cold foams across the U.S. and Canada. The drinks add 15 to 36 grams of protein per serving and are being touted as the chain's next big innovation. But the company's use of whey that comes from dairy — instead of a plant-based alternative — is at odds with its public climate commitments.

According to Green Queen's analysis, Starbucks could use more than 10,000 kilograms of whey per day in the U.S. if just a fraction of its customers opt for the new protein cold foam. That translates to roughly 76,000 metric tons of additional planet-heating carbon pollution per year — or 4.5% of the company's already massive carbon footprint from dairy purchases.

In a statement to The Cool Down, a Starbucks spokesperson said that the company explored both dairy and plant-based options and that whey "delivered a better experience and smoother texture." The spokesperson elaborated that Starbucks sources its whey protein through a byproduct of cheese production, noting that "by repurposing it, we reduce food waste and avoid the environmental impact of producing new milk protein sources, minimizing emissions."

It is true that most sources of whey protein come from cheese production, and one could view the use of whey as a repurposing of waste if the demand for whey never outpaces the demand for the requisite associated production of cheese. Therefore, there is logic in that any whey production exclusively from cheese byproduct need not be seen as additive to the existing to calculations of the methane pollution from those cows.

However, whey protein demand has been outpacing cheese demand, according to sources such as FoodPrint, and that is where concerns like Green Queen's come from.

"We remain committed to our sustainability goals and are actively working to reduce methane emissions through strategic investments and partnerships across our dairy supply chain," the Starbucks spokesperson said. "We are actively working to reduce emissions through strategic investments and partnerships across our dairy supply chain. In addition to our ongoing collaboration with industry leaders via DMAA and the U.S. NZI Initiative, we continuously evaluate further opportunities to advance sustainable, carbon-reducing solutions."

Why is this decision about protein powder concerning?

The move raises eyebrows because dairy is one of the largest contributors to Starbucks' environmental impact. The company has pledged to cut its carbon pollution, water use, and landfill waste in half by 2030. However, its total pollution has actually risen 3% since 2019, largely due to dairy production.

Methane from dairy farms, a heat-trapping gas, makes up a big chunk of that pollution. Producing whey protein has a heavy carbon cost, generating over 20 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilogram of product. Compare that to just 1.6 kilograms for pea protein.

By doubling down on dairy, Starbucks could alienate eco-conscious customers already frustrated by its history of slow sustainability progress — from its troubled recycling program to controversy over its CEO's jet pollution and the years-long surcharge on nondairy milk alternatives.

What's being done about it?

To its credit, Starbucks has made efforts to clean up its supply chain. It has invested $8 million in the U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative, launched programs to help farmers reduce pollution, and funded renewable energy projects at dairy farms. But critics argue that progress is undermined when new menu items add more dairy to the mix.

The company could turn things around by switching to plant-based or precision-fermented proteins, which can slash pollution by over 90% compared with whey. Brands like Perfect Day and Vivici already produce animal-free whey alternatives that require far less land and water.

All that said, according to a recent Consumer Reports finding, many plant-based protein powders contain concerningly high concentrations of lead. So all in all, in the meantime as the plant-based protein powder industry works to address these concerns, it may actually be a healthier choice to stick with whey protein for those who are not vegan or lactose-intolerant.

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