7-Eleven Sets Corporate Social Responsibility Goals

IRVING, Texas — 7-Eleven Inc. is working to set measurable corporate social responsibility goals (CSR) to reduce its environmental footprint through a collaboration with Conservation International (CI), a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to building a healthier, more prosperous and more productive planet through science, policy and partnerships.

The convenience store retailer's CSR mission consists of three focus areas: planet, products and people. 7-Eleven will use 2015 as a baseline as it reduces its carbon footprint and increases community engagement in the United States and Canada by concentrating on energy, packaging and philanthropy.

7-Eleven's specific goals are to:

• Reduce its energy footprint in stores and offices by 20 percent by 2025;
• Reduce its packaging footprint by 20 percent by 2025; and
• Increase corporate giving to 1 percent 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."

7-Eleven has already decreased electricity use in store operations by an estimated 21 percent over the past seven years via projects such as LED lighting, energy management systems and high efficiency HVAC units. It has also joined CI's Business and Sustainability Council, a forum where corporate leaders who are taking positive environmental actions in their businesses can explore mutually beneficial ways to further reduce their environmental impact, the company said.

"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."

To reduce packaging waste, 7-Eleven is designing eco-friendly packaging, such as a recyclable stay-hot coffee cup, private label beverage bottles made with recycled materials, and hot food packaging made with less material.

7-Eleven also plans to tie its corporate giving to its performance. Starting in 2017, it will give back 1 percent of its operating net income annually with a focus on expanding participation in two of its most successful programs that benefit youth: Project A-Game and Operation Chill. 

Project A-Game was created in 2012 and has awarded nearly 1,800 financial grants totaling more than $900,000 to local schools and youth sports organizations. Operation Chill celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2015, as CSNews Online reported. The program partners with more than 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.

More information about 7-Eleven and its focus on corporate social responsibility is available here.

Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven Inc. operates, franchises and licenses more than 10,700 7-Eleven stores in North America.