Every November since 1997, Starbucks has introduced special holiday cups. Their festive designs are a tangible reminder of the upcoming holiday season. In recent years, controversy has followed the cups. For example, one year, the plain red holiday cup was denounced with some consumers saying that Starbucks had abandoned Christmas traditions, a decidedly un-Christian move. At the same time, at least a few Indian consumers thought the plain red cup was a celebration of Diwali. Knowing consumers practise many religions, Starbucks has never tried to associate its cup with religious symbols. The next year, a green cup was used, which some customers associated with a political agenda. A doodle on a cup two years later, depicting two people holding hands, was (mis)interpreted as a same-sex couple. So, in a bid to avoid controversy, Starbucks returned to its usual Christmassy theme with four unique designs in 2018. Along with the four holiday cups, Starbucks also introduced a plain red, reusable cup, available for free one day only to customers who purchased holiday drinks. Supplies were limited and stores quickly ran out. Consumers could later buy the reusable cup for $2.50. Still, this was not the source of controversy. Instead, it revolved around the fact that the holiday cups cannot be recycled. While the plastic in the cup's polyethylene liner keeps beverages hot and leak-proof, it is extremely difficult to recycle. While, technically, they could be sent to special recycling facilities, one report notes that 99.75 percent of these cups end up in the garbage. The festive cups do cheer consumers, but the fact that they last far longer in landfill sites illustrates just how difficult it can be to avoid societal dilemmas. Should Starbucks stop introducing special holiday cups in holiday seasons to protect the environment? Do you recommend an alternative strategy? Justify your answers and please be sure to appropriately cite your references.