Seven & i Holdings’ convenience stores to stop using plastic bags by 2030

Free plastic bags are convenient for consumers to shop at supermarkets and convenient stores. But have you ever thought about how much burden they are on the environment?

A single plastic bag can take between 400 to 1,000 years to break down in the environment. Moreover, 8 million tons of plastic bags are estimated to flow into the oceans every year, causing microplastic pollution. When fish and other marine animals ingest them, they are ingesting toxins too, ultimately affecting our food too. Did you even know that plastic bags are causing over 100,000 sea turtle and other marine animals to die every year?

“So, let’s stop using them,” says Japanese retail group Seven & i Holdings.  Seven & i Holdings operates the Seven-Eleven Japan Co. convenience stores, Ito-Yokado Co. supermarkets and other outlets. On May 8, the group announced that it will completely stop the use of plastic bags by 2030. It plans to replace them with ones made of environmentally friendly materials. They have already started a trial, in which they ask shoppers to choose between plastic bags and paper bags at Seven-Eleven stores in Yokohama.

Also, by 2030, the group is working toward changing 50% of their plastic packaging to containers of biodegradable plastic derived from plants or recycled plastic. By 2050, they hope to replace them all with eco-friendly materials.

In addition to reducing plastic items, Seven & i Holdings also announced their “Green Challenge 2050”. They shared their goals for promoting food recycling, reducing CO2 emission, and their measures for sustainable procurement. Up until now, the group wastes huge amounts of broiled eel and “ehomaki” rolls – sushi rolls eaten on “setsubun” (the beginning of spring on Feb. 3). So they have been focusing on advancing measures to reduce food waste, setting a target of reducing 75% of their food waste by 2050. Furthermore, they hope to recycle 70% of their food by 2030, and 100% by 2050.

In terms of cutting CO2 emission, the organization aims to cut 30% of CO2 emission by 2030 compared to 2013, and 80% by 2050. Since 2017, the group has been wrapping their sandwiches with packages that produce only small amounts of CO2. They have also been holding “Light Down Campaigns” to save electricity at supermarkets during night hours.

Efforts such as these made by Seven & i Holdings set a good example of how one company can contribute to creating a sustainable society. Imagine what the effect would be if every company followed suit. We as consumers too, need to notice their efforts and give a helping hand. Let’s say no to plastic bags to begin with, next time you shop at a convenience store!