Circle K Sunkus is deploying compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles and hybrid vehicles in order to deliver products to stores using a fleet of eco-friendly vehicles. As of February 29, 2008, Circle K Sunkus had an eco-friendly fleet of 64 CNG vehicles and 11 hybrid vehicles. Since fiscal 2007, Circle K Sunkus has also fitted certain daily delivery vehicles with energy-efficient tires that boost fuel economy, as an initiative to reduce CO2 emissions from vehicles.
Products sold at our stores have different optimal temperature ranges depending on their physical characteristics. To cater to these characteristics, Circle K Sunkus has begun making shared deliveries of two differing product groups using "dual compartment, dual temperature-controlled" vehicles, which can be loaded simultaneously with products that have two different temperature ranges, and joint deliveries using special delivery vehicles optimal for specific temperature ranges. Through these initiatives, Circle K Sunkus is working to reduce the number of vehicles needed for product deliveries on a per-store basis, as a means of reducing CO2 emissions and other environmental impacts.
Circle K Sunkus has deployed quiet delivery carts that reduce noise by 35% compared with conventional delivery carts as a noise-reduction measure for neighborhoods around stores. In addition, we are working to conserve resources by reducing cardboard, vinyl and other packaging materials that are disposed of upon delivery from distribution centers to various stores.