7-Eleven has made changes in three major focus areas to help build a healthier planet.
In partnership with Conservation International (CI), 7-Eleven is working to set measurable corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals in an attempt to reduce the company’s environmental footprint.
7-Eleven’s CSR mission has three focus areas – planet, products and people. Using 2015 as a baseline, 7-Eleven will continue to reduce its carbon footprint and increase community engagement in the U.S. and Canada by concentrating on energy, packaging and philanthropy.
Specifically, it is 7-Eleven’s goal to:
- Reduce its energy footprint in stores and offices by 20% by 2025
- Reduce its packaging footprint by 20% by 2025
- Increase corporate giving to 1% of operating net income annually, beginning in 2017
“These goals are specific and measurable,” said Joe DePinto, 7-Eleven president and CEO. “We’ve already taken important steps to reduce our carbon footprint, and these new targets will help us focus our efforts to make even greater strides.”
Planet
7-Eleven has decreased electricity use in store operations by an estimated 21% over the past seven years through projects including installing LED lighting, energy management systems and high efficiency HVAC units.
7-Eleven has also joined CI’s Business and Sustainability Council, a forum for corporate leaders taking positive environmental actions in their businesses, to explore mutually beneficial ways to further reduce its environmental impact.
“It is no secret that the conveniences that make each day better for us all require resources from nature,” said Peter Seligmann, chairman and CEO of Conservation International. “7-Eleven’s 2025 goals reveal how a company can make decisions that support their business as well as our planet’s future. Conservation International is thrilled to support 7-Eleven in this endeavor.”
Products
The retailer is designing eco-friendly packaging in order to reduce waste, including a recyclable stay-hot coffee cup, Private Brand beverage bottles made with recycled materials and hot foods packaging made with less material.
People
Starting in 2017, 7-Eleven will tie its corporate giving to its performance, giving back 1% of its operating net income annually with a focus on expanding participation in two of its most successful programs benefitting youth:
- Created in 2012, the Project A-Game program has awarded nearly 1,800 financial grants totaling more than $900,000 to local schools and youth sports organizations.
- The Operation Chill program partners with over 900 local law enforcement agencies to reward young people caught in the act of “doing good” with a free Slurpee drink coupon. During its 21 year span, more than 15 million coupons have been distributed.