10 ways grocers are showing off their environmental friendliness for Earth Day 2023

More than half (52%) of U.S. households say they are either moderately or extremely concerned about the environment. That’s nearly 68.5 million households, with a projected spending power of $2 trillion, according to research released Thursday, in advance of Saturday’s annual Earth Day observances, by data firm Numerator.

That number should come as no surprise to grocers, who have worked hard in recent years to meet (and publicize) sustainability goals such as reducing carbon emissions, eliminating single-use plastic bags, decreasing food waste and more. Read more on WGB about how grocers are observing Earth Day this year.

Here’s a look at how food retailers are marking Earth Day 2023, with new environmental initiatives and more:

Walmart’s multi-channel sustainability efforts

This Earth Day, retail giant Walmart is focusing on ways to be more “regenerative.” “Our teams are hard at work with suppliers, NGOs, policymakers and others to address issues related to climate change, nature, waste and people working in global product supply chains,” Walmart said in a statement Thursday.

This year, Walmart added a Clean Beauty shop to its Built for Better online shopping platform that focuses on products made without certain ingredients. The retailer has also added Cleancult products to more than 3,000 stores this year. The refillable hand soaps, dish soaps, cleaners and laundry detergent use a sustainable carton technology.

Walmart this year also eliminated single-use bags from four more states this year, prompted by local regulatory changes. Delaware, Oregon, Washington, D.C., and Washington state join six other states in doing away with the plastic bag. The effort will avoid the use of 2 billion single-use bags each year, Walmart said.

Sprouts Farmers Market dives in to regenerative farming

Sprouts Farmers Market this week announced its partnership with Ancient Nutrition’s R.A.N.C.H (Regenerative Agriculture Nutrition Climate Health) Project with the goal of rebuilding topsoil, increasing carbon capture and growing food sustainably.

Sprouts is providing food waste diverted from its stores for composting and feed for the more than 3,000 cows, water buffalo, chickens and ducks on the group’s farms in Tennessee and Missouri.

“We’re excited to partner with Ancient Nutrition as we recognize the possibilities of regenerative organic farming and the variety of sustainable benefits it will bring to our plant,” Sprouts President and COO Nick Konat said in a statement. “Together, we can further the movement in regenerative agriculture, working diligently to create a lasting impact on our future, both environmentally and economically.”

Albertsons says its ‘g-r-r-reat’ to recycle

Albertsons this week announced a partnership with Kellogg that creates special signage for in-store recycling bins using the brand’s iconic Tony the Tiger and Toucan Sam characters.

In-store recycling promotion events will be held in Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions stores in Southern California and Safeway, ACME, Kings Food Markets and Balducci’s Food Lover’s Market stores in the Northeast.

"Albertsons Companies understands our consumers' concerns about plastic and packaging waste, which is why we developed Recipe for Change," said Suzanne Long, chief sustainability and transformation officer, in a sttement. "Recipe for Change is our commitment to make a real difference in the communities we serve and the planet we share. Educating customers on how to recycle plastic packaging helps us to accelerate our transition to a more circular economy."

Lunds & Byerly’s work to reduce food waste

Minnesota-based grocers Lunds & Byerly’s this week announced a new initiative to track and reduce food waste in deli food bars, through a partnership with computer vision-data processing firm Phood Solutions.

The grocer said it expect to reduce its annual food waste by nearly 150,000 pounds, thanks to the program.

Phood allows employees to scan and weigh food as it’s added to the food bar and then again before anything is discard. The grocer can then keep track of how much food to prepare on any day and time.

“Phood provides us a tremendous tool to track our waste so we can make smarter decisions about the quantity of each offering on our expansive food bars,” Katie Swenson, the grocer’s director of deli operations, said in a statement.

Kroger, Target and others join reusable shopping bag tests

Kroger, Target, CVS Health and Dollar General are among seven retailers participating in two reusable bag pilot tests in three states. The tests at more than 150 stores, which were announced this week, are part of the Beyond the Bag Initiative from the Consortium to Reinvent the Retail Bag. One pilot program encourages shoppers to bring their own bags through a variety of actions. And the other offers returnable, reusable bags for a $1 deposit.

H-E-B observes Earth Month, not just Earth Day

Texas grocer H-E-B is taking a multi-pronged approach to sustainability as it looks to reduce waste, maximize recycling and decrease reliance on plastic bags.

Among those efforts, H-E-B said it is now accepting retail plastic bags and other eligible plastic items from customers when they pick up curbside grocery orders. Shoppers can also drop off plastic bags in store, in bins that have recently been refreshed to make them more visible.

H-E-B also recently updated its plastic bags with recycling instructions. Last year, the grocer recycled 19 million pounds of plastics.

H-E-B rolled out the Field & Future line of household, personal care and baby products designed to be “clean and green,” made without some 165 chemicals, the grocer said.

On Saturday, H-E-B plans to give away 250,000 reusable bags. 

BJ’s Wholesale Club publishes its first ESG report

BJ’s Wholesale Club on Wednesday announced the publication of its first Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, which the retailer called a “significant milestone.”

The report details the club retailer’s energy efficiency improvements and waste-reduction efforts, which includes a commitment to reduce food loss and waste by 50% by 2030. BJ’s said it has replaced and upgraded equipment in its stores to reduce energy consumption.

The Marlborough, Massachusetts-based retailer reported that it has established an ESG steering committee and that its audit committee will work to ensure accountability and transparency.

Fareway taps into solar energy

Fareway Stores this week noted its 85 years of Earth-friendly initiatives, announcing that the grocer plans to break ground in June on a 1-megawatt solar facility with Alliant Energy near the retailer’s headquarters in Boone, Iowa.

Fareway’s ongoing solar initiatives also include a new installation in Ottumwa, Iowa, the grocer said.

Fareway is also hosting electric vehicle charging stations at several stores in Iowa, “with more to come,” the company said.

The grocer noted that since 1955 it has captured heat from in-store refrigeration compressors, using it to heat its stores.

“We are proud of our tradition and commitment to conserve natural resources,” Fareway CEO Reynolds W. Cramer said in a statement. “By partnering on additional energy efficiency initiatives, we are helping build stronger communities and provide direct benefits to our customers and area residents."

UNFI urges its suppliers to make “credible climate commitments”

United Natural Foods, Inc., (UNFI) on Thursday announced the launch of its Climate Action Partnership to encourage its suppliers to making business choices that aid the environment.

The partnership has more than 40 confirmed participants, UNFI said, including Conagra, Bob’s Red Mill, Dr. Bronner’s, Danone, Gaia Herbs, Lundberg Family Farm and more.

“By encouraging our suppliers to set climate goals, we are also making it easier for our customers to choose products that take action on climate,” Alisha Real, UNFI’s VP of ESG and social impact, said in a statement. “We can’t do it alone, however, and the launch of the Climate Action Partnership is an important next step to supporting our suppliers along their respective climate journeys and, ultimately, supporting UNFI on our own journey to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Southeastern Grocers commits to new sustainable packaging goals

Winn-Dixie parent Southeastern Grocers (SEG) on Thursday said it has committed to increasing sustainability for its private-label packaging by the end of 2028. The grocer said it’s eliminating the use of polystyrene and ensuring that all packaging is either reusable, recyclable or industrially compostable. SEG said it is also working to include an average of 30% post-consumer recycled material in all private brand packaging.

The announcement came in conjunction with SEG’s release of its 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance report.