QUINCY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In celebration of Earth Day, The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC recommits to minimizing its environmental impact with a renewed focus on being a responsible retailer. This includes offering products such as seafood that are responsibly sourced, reducing the impact of our own operations, and helping customers to do their part in cutting down on waste. In addition, the company is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by 20 percent by 2015.
“Stop & Shop continuously strives for ways in which we can reduce our carbon footprint in the communities we serve,” said Joe Kelley, president, Stop & Shop New England Division. “From responsible sourcing to innovative stores, we’re proud of the progress we’ve made and will uphold this heritage of innovation to continually lower our environmental impact.”
Stop & Shop has launched a new “Sustainable Choice” program to help customers make an educated choice on products that are sustainable, safe, and responsibly produced. Beginning in the seafood department, a “Sustainable Choice” icon alerts customers to those seafood items that have been responsibly farmed or fished and are certified by a qualifying eco-label or are listed on the New England Aquarium’s Best Choices list. Seafood items that currently meet these criteria and are available at the fresh seafood case include Farmed Tilapia, Alaska Pollock, Alaska Sockeye Salmon, Pacific Cod and Previously Frozen Haddock. Frozen, 12 oz. pre-packaged items that are part of Stop & Shop’s own brand include Alaskan Cod Fillet, Flounder Fillet, Skinless Haddock Fillet, Crispy Breaded Fish Fillet and Crispy Breaded Fish Sticks. Additional eligible seafood items and Stop & Shop brand items will receive a Sustainable Choice icon over the next two years.
By 2020, Stop & Shop has also set a goal of getting to “Zero Waste,” which is defined as diverting 90 percent of waste going to landfills and incineration to other uses including the expansion of its organic recycling program and new opportunities for recycling cardboard and plastic. Organic recycling efforts include increasing consumable food donations, such as bakery items and frozen meat to regional food banks. Any food that cannot be donated is also being reused/recycled as livestock feed, composting or converted to electricity. Currently, all Stop & Shop stores have the ability to have their organic material recycled or reused. Each pound of organic waste diverted for livestock feed, composting or electricity directly reduces the company’s contribution to landfills.
In an effort to further reduce waste in landfills, Stop & Shop is encouraging customers to remember to bring reusable bags with them each and every time they shop. In addition to being environmentally friendly, reusable bags are larger and fit more groceries than a traditional plastic grocery bag, lessening the number of bags needed. Last year, Stop & Shop saved approximately 15 million plastic and paper bags thanks to our customers who regularly shopped with reusable bags. The company is also working with cashiers and baggers to reduce the number of plastic and paper bags used, by ensuring they are properly filled and avoiding extra bags unnecessarily.
To mark Earth Day, Stop & Shop has introduced a special green reusable bag now available in all stores for a limited time. In addition, every time a customer shops using one or more reusable bags (with their Stop & Shop card) now through June 29th, the customer will automatically be entered to win free groceries for one year.
In addition, Stop & Shop customers have provided great tips in being green every day. Visit the following blogs for advice and tips from Stop & Shop customers:
- “Minnie Mama”
- “Marianna”
- “Koupon Karen”
Additional information about Stop & Shop’s achievements in sustainability:
- Stop & Shop operates the largest portfolio of LEED certified grocery stores in the U.S. with 54 LEED certified stores (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design as defined by the U.S. Green Building Council).
- New stores are built to reduce their energy consumption by 20 percent.
- More than 50 percent of cardboard, paper, plastic and other waste is recycled from our stores.
- All stores provide recycling bins for customers to recycle plastic bags.
- The company utilizes fuel cell technology in the East Torrington, Conn. store which provides over 90 percent of the energy needed.
- Several stores utilize solar panels which generate around 8 percent of the store’s electricity needs; we continue to expand their use into new stores.
- Our newest store in Wayland, Mass. features electric vehicle charging stations.
Being a responsible retailer is central to Stop & Shop’s business. To learn more about the ways Stop & Shop and its parent company, Ahold USA, are committed to responsibly sourcing products and caring for the environment, check out the 2012 Responsible Retailing Report available here. Additional information about Stop & Shop’s LEED certified stores and innovation timeline is also available upon request.
About Stop & Shop
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC employs approximately 63,000 associates and operates more than 400 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, and New Jersey. The company helps support local communities fight hunger, combat childhood cancer and promote general health and wellness – with emphasis on children’s educational and support programs. In its commitment to be a sustainable company, Stop & Shop is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and EPA’s Smart Way program; has been awarded LEED (EB) certifications for 54 of its existing stores; and has been recognized by the EPA for the superior energy management of its stores. Stop & Shop is an Ahold company. To learn more about Stop & Shop, visit www.stopandshop.com.
