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7-Eleven Taiwan’s Bold Path Away from Single-Use Plastics

Taiwan’s largest convenience chain is pioneering plastic waste reduction with innovative initiatives and ambitious targets.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 27, 2025

Taiwan’s largest convenience chain is pioneering plastic waste reduction with innovative initiatives and ambitious targets.

7-Eleven Taiwan’s Commitment to Phasing Out Single-Use Plastics

7-Eleven Taiwan, one of the nation’s most omnipresent retail chains, has announced an ambitious plan to phase out all single-use plastics from its operations by the year 2050. This commitment positions the company as a trailblazer—not only in Taiwan but across Asia—in the ongoing battle against plastic pollution. With thousands of stores dotted across city corners and rural areas, the retailer’s effort represents a significant milestone in environmental advocacy and corporate responsibility.

But with substantial plastic waste generated each year, the journey to zero single-use plastics will involve numerous transitions, collaborative efforts, and innovative programs.

Setting Tangible Reduction Targets

The cornerstone of 7-Eleven Taiwan’s strategy is a set of measurable goals. The chain plans to reduce its single-use plastic consumption by 10% annually. By 2023, it aims to lower such packaging to less than 20% of total packaging used, and further to just 10% by 2028. If successful, this would make it the first convenience store throughout Asia to eliminate single-use plastics.

For comparison, a 2020 investigation revealed the retailer’s Taipei City and Kaohsiung outlets were responsible for 15,000 tons of plastic waste per year, with at least 30% sent directly to incineration. These benchmarks underscore the scale of transformation required for true sustainability.

Innovative Pilot Programs and Consumer Incentives

Beverage Cup Rental Systems: Select stores now feature rental machines for reusable cups, encouraging customers to choose reusable solutions over single-use plastics.
Reusable Delivery Package Returns: At multiple locations, customers can return delivery packaging, minimizing disposable waste from the rapidly growing online retail sector.
PET Bottle Recycling Machines: At the Orchid Island branch, 7-Eleven installed cutting-edge recycling technology, promoting low-plastic travel and ocean protection.
Reward Programs: Shoppers who bring their own cups receive financial incentives, including a NT$5 (US$0.16) to NT$7 discount.
Redesigning Packaging: The retailer has reformulated packaging for more than 20 food products, achieving up to a 45% reduction in plastic usage, in addition to plastic bags now manufactured with 10% less material.

Collaborating with Environmental Groups and Academia

7-Eleven Taiwan’s sustainability initiatives have captured the attention and commendation of Greenpeace East Asia. The NGO played an instrumental role in pushing the company toward bold, systemic change. Following Greenpeace’s two-year campaign and a mass petition with more than 210,000 signatories, the convenience store responded with an explicit plan for plastic reduction.

Greenpeace East Asia’s plastics campaigner, Suzanne Lo, lauded the announcement as a model for other retailers: “It shows that retailers can take bold action to cut down on plastic waste, including beverage containers, food packaging, and delivery waste,” she said. However, Lo also emphasized the importance of accelerating the timeline and expanding these measures internationally.

7-Eleven’s Initiatives in Context: Comparing Competitors and Industry Response

7-Eleven is far from the only Taiwanese retailer striving for a greener profile. Major rivals such as FamilyMart and food delivery giant Foodpanda have also enacted plastic reduction policies. FamilyMart, for instance, introduced strawless lids and reusable straws made from bamboo fiber and stainless steel.

Retailer	Plastic Reduction Action	Year Initiated
7-Eleven Taiwan	Ban on single-use plastics and straws, cup rental machines, PET bottle recycling, reduced packaging materials	2019 – Present
FamilyMart	Strawless lids, bamboo fiber reusable straws	2019 – Present
Foodpanda	Plastic reduction and recycling initiatives	Ongoing
PxMart	Leading in early plastic reduction rankings	2019 – 2020

Benchmarking Sustainability Performance

Greenpeace researchers evaluating nine major Taiwanese retailers found that 7-Eleven initially lagged behind its competitors in plastic reduction. However, concerted pressure from environmental organizations and the public was instrumental in shifting company priorities. Today, 7-Eleven Taiwan is now considered a front-runner in Asia due to the scale and scope of its commitment.

Policy, Regulation, and Voluntary Action

Taiwan’s Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) has played a decisive role in shaping the regulatory landscape. The ban on single-use plastic straws, effective July 1, covers government departments, schools, department stores, shopping malls, and fast-food chains. While convenience stores like 7-Eleven were originally exempt, they chose to voluntarily phase out plastic straws as well.

Nationwide Ban: No new single-use plastic straws at stores, except for products requiring them (e.g., bubble tea, slurpees).
Container Replacements: Shift toward sippable lids and beverage containers meeting tougher government regulations.

Additionally, the elimination of free disposable takeaway holders at 7-Eleven’s 6,500 stores encourages consumers to shift toward bringing their own reusable containers. The measure is expected to reduce 354 tons of plastic and 711 tons of CO₂ emissions annually.

Consumer Behavior and Engagement

Changing the habits of millions of shoppers remains a formidable challenge. Taiwan’s culture of convenience, characterized by ready-to-eat meals and quick service, relies extensively on single-use packaging. Efforts to shift consumer behavior include:

Promoting the use of personal shopping bags and containers.
Offering durable carriers for purchase and eliminating free disposable holders.
Educating consumers about the environmental impact of plastics and available alternatives.

The success of these measures ultimately depends on a combination of incentives, public education, and visible results in terms of waste reduction.

The Broader Environmental and Social Impact

7-Eleven Taiwan’s plastic-free vision has far-reaching implications for both environmental and social well-being. Plastics are notorious for their persistence in ecosystems and their contribution to marine pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and landfill overloads. The company’s reduction efforts are expected to:

Decrease total plastic waste sent to incinerators, lowering the burden on waste management systems.
Reduce carbon emissions, contributing to climate action targets both locally and globally.
Protect marine environments, securing cleaner oceans and coastlines.
Enhance Taiwan’s leadership in Asian and global sustainability movements.

Strategic Recommendations from Environmentalists

Despite the ambitious roadmap, activists argue that the 2050 goal is too far in the future and should be accelerated. They urge 7-Eleven and its international parent company to prioritize reuse and reduction, rather than simply replacing plastic with other disposable alternatives. The momentum in Taiwan, they say, should be leveraged to drive global changes in the retail sector—especially given the vast reach and influence of the 7-Eleven brand worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why is 7-Eleven Taiwan’s commitment considered historic?

A: It marks the first time an Asian convenience store chain has pledged to eliminate all single-use plastics, setting a precedent for retail sustainability at a regional and global level.

Q: What kinds of single-use plastics are targeted?

A: The initiative covers beverage containers, food packaging, delivery materials, straws, plastic bags, and disposable takeaway holders.

Q: How does the cup rental system work?

A: Customers can rent a reusable cup from a machine, use it for their beverages, and return it after use, minimizing disposable waste.

Q: Will consumers face higher costs?

A: Free disposable carriers are no longer available, but customers can purchase more durable, reusable options. Discounts are offered to those who bring their own containers.

Q: Why do some drinks still come with straws?

A: Certain beverages, such as bubble tea or slurpees containing edible ingredients, require straws for consumption. For these, environmentally friendly alternatives (bamboo or stainless steel) are provided.

Q: What other actions is 7-Eleven taking for sustainability?

A: The retailer continually redesigns packaging, introduces PET bottle recycling, and partners with environmental groups for ongoing improvement.

Conclusion: Shaping the Future of Retail Sustainability

7-Eleven Taiwan’s phase-out of single-use plastics exemplifies the power of corporate responsibility, community advocacy, and collaborative environmental action. The chain’s programs serve as a blueprint for retailers across Asia and beyond, signaling a shift toward circular economies and innovative solutions.

Ultimately, the battle against plastic pollution requires bold commitments, swift action, and sustained pressure from practitioners, policymakers, and consumers alike. Taiwan’s largest convenience store chain has lit the path—now, the challenge is to walk it faster and further.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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