Starbage

Starbucks considers the circulation of its logo on its to-go paper cups as the most effective form of advertising, as people carry them around en masse. As a matter of fact, Starbucks does not put out any commercials or ads.

So, what do we make of the to-go cups and cardboard sleeves once they are discarded and litter the city? Are they also a form of implicit advertising? Irooshka once told me that she thinks that discarded fast-food wraps and other packaging may indeed work as publicity.

Naturally, Seattle offers many many examples of Starbucks garbage or, as I renamed it, "Starbage" (which also points to the 'star' or 'luxury' quality of Starbucks' output, even if it's trash).

Here are some examples from the U-district. This one is at the bus stop by Schmitz Hall on 15th AVE NE:


Here it's in the alley between 15th AVE NE and the Ave, not far from Schmitz Hall:



And here it's right in front of my house...it's been there for a month now and I've been watching it: