7-Eleven is taking its reduced emissions fuel program out of pilot phase and into an expansion phase as the C-store retailer looks to ramp up its sustainability commitments.
The retailer is expanding its RENEW efforts to 142 additional fuel stores and 698 non-fuel locations for a total of 934 locations. The second phase will launch in California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, Canada, this September.
The RENEW reduced emissions program is a collaboration between 7-Eleven and GreenPrint, a company that promotes sustainability through the retail gasoline, fleet and consumer product industries.
“We’ve expanded the RENEW program to communities where customers particularly value sustainability,” said 7-Eleven Executive Vice President and COO Chris Tanco. “As a result of customers’ 7-Eleven fuel purchases, citizens can expect reduced emissions as well as our commitment to plant more trees in the area. Our expansion to more stores in the U.S. and Canada allows 7-Eleven to continue to make a positive impact on the local communities in which we operate.”
Customers reduce emissions by purchasing the same high-quality fuel they have always pumped at 7-Eleven stores. GreenPrint calculates tailpipe emissions from gasoline sales to determine the amount to invest in certified carbon reduction projects. The goal is to help neutralize emissions in the atmosphere by up to 30 percent and support local nonprofit organizations and plant trees in conjunction with the Arbor Day Foundation.
For every gallon of gas purchased in 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. Over the next year, more than 100,000 more trees will be planted across the United States in cooperation with the Arbor Day Foundation. In Canada, at least 10,000 trees will be planted with Tree Canada.
“Customers’ impressive response to the first phase of the RENEW program at 7-Eleven is a testament to how one organization can have a lasting impact on sustainability and a community’s environment,” said Pete Davis, founder and CEO of GreenPrint. “7-Eleven continues to be innovators in the gasoline industry and an important partner in its Plant it Forward program.”
The RENEW program has already begun to make a defined impact on the environment. More than 1,250 acres of trees have been planted. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen per year, enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people. The 70,000 trees planted through 7-Eleven’s RENEW reduced emissions fuel program represent 7,500 tons of carbon dioxide absorbed in this year alone. These trees will continue to positively impact the environment for years to come.
7-Eleven’s Plant it Forward program allows customers and local community members to take part in 7-Eleven’s 100,000 tree pledge by dedicating a tree to family or friends.
7-Eleven has more than 66,000 stores in 17 countries, including 11,800 in North America.