Coffee drinkers who care about the environment always ask about the paper cups.

Some coffee shops use compostable cups, but Starbucks' are not recyclable or compostable, partly because it buys far more than the others.

So, "paper cups" was the first issue I checked when Starbucks unveiled its new online Global Responsibility Report last week.

Here's what I learned: Starbucks bought 2.7 billion (with a "b") paper cups last year and figures that by using cups with 10 percent post-consumer recycled fiber, it saved 118,754 trees. That amount of recycled fiber is not a slam dunk for cups that hold hot liquids and took Starbucks years to develop.

According to the CSR report, Starbucks wants to have a recycleable cup available by 2012 and to have all its cups be reusable or recyclable by 2015. It also wants to reestablish ceramic mugs as the standard for people who drink their coffee in stores.

The report has an interactive map that shows where Starbucks has stores and where it buys coffee, including some video of the latter.

You can also take a virtual tour of its new LEED-certified store across from Pike Place Market.