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

October 21, 2020

NEW

New York Re-Starts Plastic Bag Ban Enforcement

In March, a court challenge put ban implementation on hold, but now it’s once again in effect.

October 19, 2020

NEW

Panera Labels 55% of Entrees ‘Climate Friendly’

The designation indicates whether the salad, sandwich or soup has a low carbon footprint.

October 16, 2020

NEW

Digital Tool Uses Photos of Ingredients to Suggest Recipes

Kroger hopes the unique AI technology will help eliminate food waste.

October 13, 2020

Hy-Vee Joins Other Retailers to Fight Plastic Waste

New consortium hopes to find solutions to the ubiquitous plastic bag.

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

Making Sustainability Convenient
The concept of sustainability presents opportunities for both sales growth and increased efficiencies. This robust resource can help convenience retailers think about building a more sustainable future for their customers and business.

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.

Being a Good Neighbor
This guide provides quick and easy tips for convenience stores to improve their customers’ experience, help the environment and, ultimately, enhance their reputation and bottom line.

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.

Learn more about the partnership and available resources.

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.

Learn more about the partnership and available resources.

The International Bottled Water Association
IBWA tells positive stories about bottled water packaging and recycling.

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.