7-Eleven Testing Reduced Emissions Fuel Program

IRVING, Texas — 7-Eleven Inc. is furthering its commitment to reducing its energy footprint through the launch of the test program "RENEW," which kicks off at 95 convenience stores in Seattle, Portland, Ore., and Madison, Wis., this month.

The convenience store retailer is launching the reduced emissions program in collaboration with GreenPrint, which promotes sustainability through the retail gasoline, fleet and consumer product industries.

Consumers will be able to reduce emissions simply by purchasing fuel at participating 7-Eleven stores. GreenPrint will calculate tailpipe emissions from gasoline sales to determine the amount to invest in certified carbon reduction projects to help neutralize those emissions in the atmosphere, according to the company. Emissions can be offset by up to 30 percent, depending on the type of fuel purchased.

"As the convenience retail leader, we're uniquely positioned to promote sustainability by bringing innovative programs like RENEW to market," said 7-Eleven President and CEO Joe DePinto. "This program, coupled with our 2025 corporate social responsibility targets, furthers our efforts to reduce our environmental footprint, and offers customers a way to make a positive impact on the environment and their local communities."

For every gallon of gas purchased through the 7-Eleven RENEW program, an investment will be made in reforestation, green-scape projects, wildlife protection and renewable energy projects designed to help reduce car emissions. The local, regional and global certified carbon reduction projects are designed to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

As part of the yearlong test, 100,000 trees will be planted across the United States in cooperation with the Arbor Day Foundation.

"We are honored to run this test program with a brand like 7-Eleven that has consistently demonstrated a willingness to be innovative," said Pete Davis, founder and CEO of GreenPrint. "Their commitment to aggressively pursue sustainability initiatives to benefit the environment sets them apart from competitors. The RENEW program will continue that commitment while creating a unique connection with their customers."

In 2016, 7-Eleven announced that it was working with Conservation International (CI) to set measurable corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals to reduce its environmental footprint, as CSNews Online reported. 7‑Eleven's CSR mission has three focus areas: planet, products and people. The company is also part of 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.

Based in Irving, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 63,000 stores in 18 countries, including 10,900 in North America.