Connecting a Sustainable Future Through Small Steps
These days, we're surrounded by all kinds of environmental issues—
from cutting CO₂ emissions to reducing plastic and food waste.
Many of us want to do something about these problems.
But when we see how big and complex they are, it's easy to feel overwhelmed.
Maybe you’ve felt that way too.
What really matters is finding something you can do—
even if it’s just a small step.
In this edition of “Crossroads,” we bring together people who are tackling these challenges head-on. Each of them is finding “their own way” to make a difference through the work they do every day.
Here Are the People We Met at This Crossroads
Jumonji(right), Zone Manager for the Niigata/Hokuriku Zone, Operations Division, Seven-Eleven Japan.
Masa Nakajima(left), District Manager for the Niigata North District, also part of the Niigata/Hokuriku Zone, Operations Division, Seven-Eleven Japan.
Naoe(right), Store Manager at the Wakuya store, York-Benimaru Co., Ltd.
Rie Nakajima(left), Customer Service General Manager at the Wakuya store, York-Benimaru Co., Ltd.
Takewaka(right), General Manager at Yokohama LOFT.
Risa Nakajima(left), Promotional Staff Member at Yokohama LOFT.
Environmental Issues Are No Longer "Exceptional" — It Starts with Small Daily Realizations
— Today, we've brought together people who have spent the year 2024 taking steady steps to do what they can.
Whether you're a regional manager or involved in store operations, I believe you all share a common commitment to addressing environmental issues.
To start, could you share some of the things you keep in mind in your daily work?
Masa Nakajima
At 7-Eleven, we offer environmental education programs, including visiting elementary schools to give special classes. I had the chance to take part in one of them, and I was amazed at how aware the children were about sustainability—especially issues like food waste.
Even though I went there to teach, I ended up feeling like I was the one who learned something.
Risa Nakajima
Kids today are really passionate, aren’t they?
Last year, we carried a soap made from inedible parts of kombu and mandarin orange peels from school lunches—and it was actually created by elementary school students in Yokohama. I thought that was just incredible.
Jumonji
Like Masa Nakajima, I’ve also had the chance to talk with children during our school outreach lessons, and I’m always struck by how passionate and knowledgeable they are.
On a personal level, I really feel the effects of global warming. In the Niigata and Hokuriku regions, which I oversee, I can actually sense that the amount of snowfall each year has been decreasing.
Naoe
At York-Benimaru, we’ve been working to promote local production for local consumption through our locally sourced product sections. This not only helps reduce CO₂ emissions from transportation, but also gives customers a chance to rediscover the appeal of local foods.
In a town next to our Wakuya store, there’s a company called "Butai Farm Misato Green Base" that’s making great contributions to the SDGs using advanced technology. They produce a lettuce called "Tsumitate Salad" (freshly picked salad), which is sold with the roots still attached—so you can keep it fresh in water and enjoy it anytime.
It’s been very well received since we started carrying it.
Rie Nakajima
What makes our local production and consumption efforts so rewarding is seeing our customers happy. Some items are so popular, they sell out right away!
I truly hope that one day, "Tsumitate Salad" will become a regular part of people’s everyday meals here in Wakuya Town.
Takewaka
Customers’ awareness has really changed over the years.
Twenty years ago, when we placed sustainable products on store shelves, people would often say, "It’s good for the environment, but tough on the wallet."
But now, I feel that being eco-friendly has become one of the reasons people choose to buy a product.
A First Step Begins with "What You Can Do"
— It sounds like customers’ awareness is gradually changing.
How are environmental issues being addressed in the workplaces where you all are based?
Masa Nakajima
At 7-Eleven, we use a digital tool called the Sales Planning Support System, which allows us to manage energy-saving actions through tablets.
Manual processes can be time-consuming and prone to human error.
With this system, we can assign detailed tasks more easily, which helps reduce electricity usage without placing extra burden on our staff.
Rie Nakajima
At York-Benimaru, we also use a system to monitor and manage energy consumption.
At first, it wasn’t easy to get everyone on board. But when our store manager explained, "Just like at home, the store’s utility costs come out of the store’s own ‘wallet,’" I think that really helped raise awareness.
Since then, I’ve noticed a growing sense of responsibility when it comes to saving energy.
Risa Nakajima
At Yokohama LOFT, we set up a limited-time special section to raise awareness about the plastic waste issue—something our customers could take part in too.
We worked with team members from health goods, stationery, variety items, and daily essentials, and asked each of them to select sustainable products from their categories.
While setting up the display, even we as staff realized, "Wow, we actually carry this many sustainable products!" It was a great moment of discovery for us too.
Jumonji
You really do notice a lot once you start taking action.
In the areas I oversee, ever since we began focusing more on energy conservation, more and more people have been proactively doing things like turning off the lights in the back rooms and offices when they’re not needed.
I’ve definitely seen a growing sense of initiative when it comes to saving energy.
How We Can Help Grow the Circle of Teamwork
— It sounds like each effort you’ve made is creating positive change within your teams.
Is there anything you keep in mind as you try to expand that circle even further?
Naoe
I believe consistency is key.
If we only post the energy-saving results on a board, they eventually just become part of the background. That’s why, at our store, we decided to share the numbers verbally instead.
As we kept doing it, people naturally started to care more about whether the numbers were good or not.
Another thing we try to do is avoid making it feel like an obligation. We treat it more like a game—approaching it more like a game, with an element of enjoyment in the process.
Masa Nakajima
It’s so important that each and every employee becomes more mindful of these efforts.
At 7-Eleven, we’ve introduced an "Energy-Saving Leader" program to help monitor energy usage.
In the area I oversee, these leaders have been taking initiative, and thanks to their efforts, awareness around energy conservation has really grown throughout the stores.
Jumonji
One thing we should never overlook is the importance of sharing the results achieved at each store.
In our area, Operation Field Counselors* are spreading effective practices through regular meetings, and we also share successful examples nationwide through 7-Eleven Family, our informational magazine for franchise owners.
Whenever an initiative from the Niigata area is featured, the franchise owners are genuinely happy to see it.
* Operation Field Counselors are staff who provide business consulting for franchise owners.
Takewaka
At Yokohama LOFT, we’ve also been thinking about ways to raise awareness.
We have collection boxes in the store for used cosmetic containers, writing tools, and textiles—but not many customers knew about them.
So, during the special feature corner that Risa Nakajima mentioned earlier, we organized a rally event where customers could go around and visit each of the collection points.
It turned out to be a fun and engaging way for them to learn about the program.
Masa Nakajima
When there are thoughtful touches like that in the store, it really helps customers feel like they’re part of the team too.
The Next Step Toward the Future
— It would be wonderful if not only employees, but also customers could naturally become part of these efforts.
To close, could you share what you hope to work on going forward, with the future in mind?
Masa Nakajima
Thanks to the introduction of the Sales Planning Support System, we’ve been able to share the status of our sales floor more effectively among staff.
For example, we can now adjust the amount of fried foods we prepare based on the situation.
Going forward, I’d like to continue promoting not just energy saving, but also reducing food waste.
Jumonji
While electricity consumption is increasing nationwide, the Niigata-Hokuriku area achieved 99.3% of the previous year’s usage.
This was thanks to the efforts of our Energy-Saving Leaders.
I believe it’s important to turn these kinds of success stories into part of the store management system itself.
Naoe
When it comes to saving energy, the cooperation of our staff is essential.
What I try to do is make things feel more relatable—by putting them into familiar terms.
For example, I might say,"One hour of electricity costs about as much as [number] daikon radishes." That kind of comparison makes it easier for people to understand and connect with.
Everyday communication really makes a difference.
Rie Nakajima
Like Masa Nakajima from Seven-Eleven Japan, I also want to help reduce food waste.
Personally, I’ve been thinking it would be great to donate discarded vegetables and fruits to places like zoos.
Risa Nakajima
To host a workshop where customers could experience recycling plastic bottle caps, we collected caps from our staff members.
Thanks to everyone’s enthusiastic participation, we gathered enough in less than two months—and the workshop turned out to be a big hit with many customers.
I really hope we can continue doing more things like this together with our team.
Takewaka
At LOFT, we carry all kinds of lifestyle goods. Some of them might not be considered strictly "essential," but we truly hope that customers will use what they purchase for a long time and with care.
And when they’re done, we’d love for them to drop the items into our collection boxes.
We want to create that kind of thoughtful shopping cycle.
What we need to build a better future isn’t a big, dramatic choice—
it’s the small steps we take each day.
Starting with what you can do, even if it’s just a little.
That was the message we felt throughout this conversation.
This text has been translated using an automatic translation tool.
