CINCINNATI — Kroger here committed to moving retail locations toward "zero waste" and sourcing 100% certified sustainable palm oil as it published its seventh annual sustainability report.
Kroger said it is moving toward the Environmental Protection Agency’s zero waste threshold of 90% in all Kroger retail locations. To get there, Kroger will increase the diversion rate to 65% for all stores by the end of 2013, and to 70% by the end of 2015. Today, the company diverts 58% of waste.
The company is also committed to sourcing 100% certified sustainable palm oil by the end of 2015. Kroger is working with supplier partners to transition out of unsustainable palm oil, as part of an effort prevent the loss of critical habitats, and support the protection of high conservation value forests.
"For 130 years, Kroger has aimed to serve each individual customer, every day, and to be good stewards of our communities and the environment," said David Dillon, Kroger's chairman and chief executive officer, in a statement. "Our sustainability progress today is part of this proud heritage, thanks to more than 343,000 associates who are helping make each community we serve a better place to live."
In other announcements in the report:
- Kroger worked with more than 80 local food banks in 2012 to donate the equivalent of 200 million meals.
- Through energy reduction, the implementation of a refrigerant management plan and improved fleet productivity, Kroger reported a 4.8% drop in overall carbon footprint, despite growing in size and sales.
- Since 2000, Kroger has reduced overall energy consumption in stores by 32.7%, saving more than 2.48 billion kilowatt-hourskWh—enough electricity to power every single family home in Columbus, Ohio, for one year.
- Kroger has increased its fleet efficiency by 33.1% since 2008 and is on track to meet their goal of improved fleet efficiency by 40% by 2014. The company's store delivery fleet includes 2,700 tractors and 10,000 trailers and makes almost 5,400 deliveries every day.
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