[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.]
7-Eleven, Hong Kong’s largest convenience store chain, has partnered with the Foodlink Foundation to connect with a charity farm to donate coffee grounds for growing vegetables. The fresh produce, grown and harvested by volunteer farmers, is then distributed by 10 participating charities as fresh vegetables or hot meals to those in need.
‘Grounds to Green’ is an upcycling program for coffee grounds. Every time coffee is brewed at 7CAFÉ, whether it is a latte or a cold brew and everything in between, the used coffee grounds are collected. These grounds are then transformed into organic fertiliser at the Senior Buddy Charity Farm in Kam Tin, Yuen Long, using an on-site composting system sponsored by 7-Eleven. This fertiliser is used to nourish fresh organic vegetables at the farm.
In fact, coffee grounds-turned fertilisers is a great long-term solution for enriching the soil and eliminating the need for chemicals. They can also speed up the composting process, making them the perfect natural material for smaller farms or gardens.
As a pilot, the program currently aims to recycle the grounds from 1.25 million cups of coffee a year, producing around 4,000kg of fresh produce.
By transforming coffee grounds into healthy compost for growing farm-to-table vegetables, the project supports various charitable organisations address food insecurity and promote community well-being.
Participating charities include Pei Ho Counterparts in Sham Shui Po, Foodlink Mart, OIWA, J Life Foundation, Little Sisters of the Poor St Joseph’s Home for the Aged, Jockey Club Kwun Tong Community Hub and Caritas Community Centre – Ngau Tau Kok.
Many of them will use the fresh produce to prepare nutritious hot meals, which will be distributed free of charge to underprivileged groups such as the homeless, elderly people living alone, low-income families, ethnic minorities and people recovering from mental illness.
The initiative not only addresses food waste but also helps provide nutritious, this initiative will help provide nutritious meals to around 10,000 people and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 19,256kg.
“I am grateful for the participation of Foodlink, Pei Ho Counterparts and Senior Buddy Charity Farm in this meaningful program, as well as other charitable organisations joining forces,” said Alex Liu, managing director of 7-Eleven HK & Macau, at the program’s kick-off ceremony.
“While our freshly brewed coffee is popular, the coffee grounds can also be put to better use, upcycled and used to support their food programs.”
“Through our partnership with 7-Eleven and Senior Buddy Farm, we’ve created an incredible collaboration that turns coffee grounds into a sustainable system for growing food for those in need. Their commitment to sustainability and community service is truly inspiring,” said Robin Hwang, executive director of Foodlink Foundation.
Sun Chi-hung, operator of Senior Buddy Charity Farm, said that Senior Buddy Charity Farm is a government-recognised charitable organisation founded by a group of young people who are passionate about farming and caring for the elderly.
Established seven years ago, the farm brings together hundreds of volunteers from diverse backgrounds to engage in organic farming and share their harvest with those who need it most, Sun said.
Chan Cheuk-ming, founder of Pei Ho Counterparts, mentioned that they started receiving donations of packaged food and bottled drinks from 7-Eleven as early as 2017. “Whenever they have charity events in mind, they often think of us,” he said.
Launched in 2022, the ‘Sik Tak Fan La’ charity program pledges HK$0.5 to Pei Ho Counterparts for each designated 7-SELECT meal box sold, supporting the expansion of their services to Shau Kei Wan.
Beyond the ‘Grounds to Green’ initiative, 7-Eleven is didicated to environmental protection and actively promoting sustainable practices.
Since 2022, 7CAFÉ has dramatically reduced its environmental impact by using 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified Arabica coffee beans, 100% biodegradable cup lids and paper cups made from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper.
These measures help protect wildlife, preserve forests and reduce waste, reflecting 7-Eleven’s dedication to expanding its sustainability initiatives and promoting a more eco-conscious lifestyle.
In addition, 7-Eleven regularly donates safe-to-consume surplus food to the Foodlink Foundation and its partner charitable organisations. In 2023 alone, these donations totalled approximately 146,000 food items.
When asked about the broader implications of ESG for the convenience store chain, Liu explained: “For us, ESG is not a box-ticking exercise. We see our role as a responsible corporate citizen, striving to balance business and ESG efforts.”
“In doing so, we work with partners to create synergies, develop innovative approaches, contribute to sustainability, and most importantly, support those in the community who really need our help.”
