IRVING, Texas — By 2030, 7-Eleven hopes to reduce its carbon emissions and food waste by 50%, replace plastic with eco-friendly materials in its packaging and sustainably source food ingredients for its private brand products.
In addition, the Irving, Texas-based convenience-store company continues to boost the supply of electricity from renewable energy projects and expand its electric vehicle charging options for customers as part of its efforts to reduce emissions.
7-Eleven also recently collaborated with Vancouver, Canada-based Plastic Bank to remove 140 metric tons of ocean-bound plastic, the equivalent of 7 million single-use plastic bottles, from the environment in December 2021.
Founded in 2013, Plastic Bank builds recycling ecosystems in underdeveloped communities to fight plastic pollution in oceans and high poverty levels in developing countries. People who gather ocean-bound plastics receive bonuses that help them buy basic family necessities like groceries, cooking fuel, school tuition and health insurance.
- 7-Eleven is No. 1 on CSP’s 2021 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by store count.
“We’re excited to work with 7-Eleven, a company that shares our vision of creating regenerative impact,” said David Katz, founder and CEO of Plastic Bank. “Together, we have a unique opportunity to make a direct impact on the volume of plastic waste in our oceans as well as the improvement of the livelihoods of collectors living in vulnerable communities.”
In the midst of this environmental news, 7-Eleven, which recently formed a new globally focused company, opened its 77,711th store, a number the company is calling a milestone.
“Since the inception of convenience retailing with the first 7-Eleven store in Dallas, Texas, a lot has changed in how, when and where we do business,” said Joe DePinto, 7-Eleven president and CEO. “As customers continue to redefine convenience, we redefine our approach to ensure that we are exceeding their expectations. Today, that means accelerating our sustainability efforts to address social and environmental issues that are important to our customers and the communities in which they live and work.”
7-Eleven Inc. operates, franchises or licenses more than 77,700 stores in 19 countries and regions, including about 9,500 in the United States under the 7-Eleven banner, about 3,800 under the Speedway banner and about 500 under the Stripes flag, as well as the Laredo Taco Company and Raise the Roost Chicken and Biscuits brands.
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