Circle K moves toward sustainability with PEFC certified packaging

Circle K is world leading on convenience and fuel retail business and aims at making life easier for people. In 2019 the company launched the first sustainability report, and one of the focus areas is to reduce our environmental footprint, use resources efficiently and help protect our planet. When launching a range of new holistic food packaging within all Circle K stores across Europe, certified paper like PEFC has been part of the requirements in the tender process as input from the business side.

Circle K is positioned as an innovative leader, not only on fuel and energy, but also on food offer and at all aspects of our concept, explains Vibeke Veiseth Senior Concept Development in Circle K Europe. We recognize that we are on a journey, and that all small steps in the right direction matters.

Our business is growing and as one of the largest players within convenience retail and fuel in Europe, it also gives us the opportunity of many common initiatives to improve sustainability in all aspects of our business across Europe. Our store network is more than 2000 stores across Europe, so any small change will make a large impact. Making is EASY for our customers to choose from a sustainability perspective.

Food is a crucial part of product offer, and with food comes packaging for display and serving. Paper being used in our food packaging is a very substantial total volume, as we serve our great food in all European markets. We think that all steps matter, so with our new packaging, improved sustainability is one major difference. Reducing plastic in our pastry bags is one part of our sustainability journey; the bags are only made of paper certified from PEFC, says Vibeke Veiseth.

As for most projects within CKE, we have been working as a team getting input and participation from many resources within our global and European organization as well as representatives from all our 9 business units across Europe (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Russia and Latvia), says Vibeke Veiseth also acting as Project Manager for the European Food Packaging Project in Circle K Europe.

About Circle K:

Circle K is a subsidiary of Couche-Tard, which has a unique growth story to become a top player in the convenience and fuel retail business. The European operation is result of the acquisition of Statoil Fuel & Retail back in 2012. The network in Europe comprises 2700 stores that offer fuel, food, coffee and other products.

In the recently launched European Packaging Project, we have been prioritizing improved sustainable packaging without reducing any food quality aspects. Paper based packaging is required made from certified material and has also been communicated towards consumers by labelling the packaging. These are commonly recognized labels, in all European markets where we are present.