Kroger Cuts Energy Use 30%

SN STAFF

CINCINNATI — The Kroger Co. has reduced in-store energy consumption by 30% since 2000, enough to power every single-family home in Fort Worth, Texas, for one year, according to the company’s fifth annual Sustainability Report, released Tuesday.

In other findings, Kroger:

• Saved more than 2.2 billion kilowatt hours, including all facilities, which equals 1.41 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

• Completed its first wind energy project. Two wind turbines installed at Turkey Hill Dairy in Lancaster, Pa., will supply 25% of the dairy's annual electricity needs, enough to produce 6 million gallons of ice cream for one year.

• Reduced the amount of waste sent from its manufacturing plants to landfills by 30% since 2009 — a 22-million-pound reduction.

• In partnership with customers, recycled 26 million pounds of plastic, a 180% increase in plastic recycling since 2007.

In addition, Kroger is well on the way to meet its goal of sourcing 100% of the top 20 wild-caught species from fisheries that are Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified, in MSC full assessment, or engaged in a World Wildlife Fund fishery improvement project by the year 2015. Today, 56% of Kroger's top 20 wild-caught fresh and frozen species are sourced from fisheries meeting these standards.

"Kroger associates have worked hard to integrate sustainable practices into our everyday business operations,” said Rodney McMullen, president and chief operating officer of Kroger, in a statement.