Supermarket Shopper Sustainability

Earth Day took place last Friday and it is the 52nd anniversary that demonstrates support for environmental protection. This year’s theme was “Invest in our Planet” and while I applaud the movement, I have to say that just raising awareness over the past 50 years hasn’t done much to improve our environment. On Friday, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to strengthen our nation’s forests, communities and local economies. It was also the opportunity for many in our industry to reinforce their positions on sustainability. Michael Browne at Supermarket News did a terrific recap at how companies are working to meet their environmental targets. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Browne writes, sustainability has remained at the forefront of American consumers’ concerns, with 69% of supermarket shoppers saying they try to reduce their impact on the environment as much as possible, according to a report released by the Coca-Cola Retailing Research Council (CCRRC) of North America. Here are some examples:

• Wegmans said it aims to shift all customers to reusable shopping bags, which it described as “the best option to solve the environmental challenge of single-use grocery bags.” Currently, the supermarket chain has eliminated the plastic bags in 61 of its 106 stores, including all New York locations plus selected stores in Virginia, Massachusetts and Maryland.
• Hannaford Supermarkets aims to power its operations completely by renewable energy by 2024. 
• Ahold Delhaize USA, ExxonMobil and packaging specialist Sealed Air (SEE) have partnered on what they call a first-of-its-kind plastic food package recycling initiative in the United States.
• Associated Grocers of New England installs largest solar rooftop in New Hampshire
• Southeastern Grocers (SEG) plans to shift to more sustainable packaging across its own-brand portfolio by the end of 2028. Jacksonville, Fla.-based SEG said late yesterday that it will “overhaul” its private-label packaging by phasing out the use of polystyrene and making all packaging reusable, recyclable or industrially compostable.
• Town & Country Markets is partnering with local adventure travel company PacWesty to offer its online shoppers an all-electric, zero-emissions grocery delivery service.
•  Amazon and Target Corp. — announced that they are seeking net zero certification from the International Living Future Institute for two of their store locations as they continue to take steps to meet their sustainability goals.
• Albertsons Cos. has embarked on a new corporate sustainability and responsibility strategy with the launch of an environmental, social and governance (ESG) framework dubbed “Recipe for Change.”
• Sam’s Club aims to transform its Member’s Mark private label into a more sustainable brand. 

Once again our supermarket retailers prove that they are the leaders and with their commitments can effect change. Kudos.