Sustainability

Since the rise of the “green revolution” more than a decade ago, convenience retailers have increasingly developed and incorporated business goals and KPIs that focus on sustainability into their strategic plans. Today, managing energy costs and continued awareness of the environment drive successful sustainability programs and practices at convenience stores, and NACS resources provide retailers with information they can use to enhance their sustainability goals.

Latest News

June 23, 2021

NEW

Shell Accelerates Sustainable Initiatives

The global firm has advanced into renewable energy while keeping its roots in fossil fuels.

June 17, 2021

SPAR Gran Canaria Invests in Solar Expansion

The retailer added 1,125 more photovoltaic panels to its fruit and vegetable logistics center.

June 15, 2021

Starbucks to Once Again Welcome Reusable Cups

Starting next week, customers can use tumblers for in-store refills, a practice the pandemic shelved.

June 10, 2021

Colorado Lawmakers Move to Ban Styrofoam, Plastic Bags

If signed by the governor, the ban will go into effect next year.

View All Sustainability News

Contacts

Jeff Lenard
VP, Strategic Industry Initiatives
(703) 518-4272
jlenard@convenience.org

Carolyn Schnare
Director, Strategic Initiatives
(703) 518-4248
cschnare@convenience.org

Chris Blasinsky
Content Communications Strategist
(703) 518-4296
cblasinsky@convenience.org

Latest Resource

NACS Sustainability Playbook
This robust resource highlights where retailers can take credit for initiatives that are doing well and identifies opportunities to do more. Every business is on a different level of their sustainability journey, and we encourage retailers to use this Playbook as a guide for advancing the areas most relevant to your business today and consider how other areas could transform your business in the future.

NACS Resources and Tools

NACS/Energy Star Tools
NACS has partnered with Energy Star to offer two new convenience-store-specific resources designed to help retailers save money and reduce energy costs.

The Value of Can and Bottle Recycling
With more than half of all convenience store customers (54%) saying they’d like to see more recycling at their local c-store, there is an opportunity for the industry to enhance current practices.

Convenience Store Industry’s Take on Trash
NACS surveys reveal consumer perceptions and retailer observations on trash, litter and recycling at convenience stores.

Reducing Litter, Managing Trash and Encouraging Recycling
These resources, developed by NACS and Keep America Beautiful, offer quick and easy tips for convenience stores to improve how they manage litter and trash and their recycling efforts.

Partners

Keep America Beautiful
NACS works with Keep America Beautiful (KAB.org) to help convenience retailers improve and beautify their stores and their community environment through recycling programs and litter reduction activities.

Energy Star
As a proud partner of Energy Star, NACS is helping retailers save money and energy with a variety of convenience store-specific resources.

Can Manufacturers Institute
Consumer-friendly messages about the benefits of recycling cans. Download The Value of Can and Bottle Recycling.

The International Bottled Water Association
The IBWA provides information and resources about all types of bottled water, including spring, mineral, purified, artesian and sparkling.

Podcast and Videos

Podcast: Sustainability Strategy for People, Planet, Prosperity and Convenience
The term sustainability has become a catch-all for seemingly everything – recycling, energy, EVs, CSR, packaging, etc. How do you know what to tackle and how can it actually save you money?

Podcast: Reimagining Convenience Store Packaging
As lawmakers wage war on plastics and as consumers try to understand the confusing recycling system, some products are caught in the middle — like coffee cups.

Recycling The Non-Recyclables
TerraCycle is eliminating the idea of waste by recycling the non-recyclables.

Podcast: Addressing the Anti-Plastics Movement
Plastic packaging, straws, cups and bags have seemingly become public enemy number 1. Plastic is important for food safety, convenience, and as long as it is disposed of properly, can be remade into new products through recycling.

Ideas 2 Go: Recycling Rules
Recycling options are becoming more prevalent at convenience stores, from premium green packaging that can be recycled to coffee cups that can be composted or even recycled.

Podcast: Clean Stores are Good for Business
NACS has developed a close partnership with Keep America Beautiful to help encourage retailers, vendors and consumers to keep sustainability efforts top of mind. Find out how to get involved.

Podcast: Keeping Convenience Stores Beautiful
NACS and Keep America Beautiful are helping convenience stores learn to manage trash and improve recycling. Convenience stores are more than just “America’s Trash Cans,” they can be valuable community environmental neighbors.