NYC Starbucks Closure Sparks Outcry Over Massive Food and Supply Waste

A recent Starbucks store closure on the Upper West Side of New York City has drawn significant attention after a local activist, Anna Sacks, known online as @thetrashwalker, documented an extensive amount of discarded food and unused merchandise. In a video shared widely, Sacks revealed numerous bags filled with perfectly good items, including packaged egg bites, croissants, bagels, Kind bars, and large quantities of unopened coffee beans. Also found were thousands of unused Starbucks paper and plastic cups, lids, and even gift cards. Sacks expressed profound disappointment regarding the store's wastefulness, stating, "This entire trash bag shouldn't happen." She highlighted that many food items were still cold and had best-before dates months away. Sacks emphasized the urgent need for legislative protocols to prevent such waste when businesses close, suggesting that these items could have been donated to those in need, including a church located directly across the street from the former Starbucks. The incident underscores growing concerns about corporate waste and sustainability practices.