Kroger Cuts Store Energy Consumption

SUPERMARKET NEWS STAFF

CINCINNATI — Since 2000, the Kroger Co. here has reduced overall energy consumption in its stores by more than 27%, the company reported in its 2010 Sustainability Report, which was recently published online.

That is enough electricity to power every single family home in Memphis, Tenn. for one year, Kroger said. Its goal for 2010 is to reduce stores' energy use by 30% from the baseline year of 2000.

Other highlights of the report:

· One of Kroger's new stores will consume 25% less energy than a store built in 2000. Kroger is achieving this goal through several strategies, including replacing lighting with LED fixtures. These lights use 75% less energy. By the end of 2010, LED lighting will be installed in nearly every store.

· Kroger has reduced its normalized carbon footprint by more than 5% since 2006. The company’s total carbon footprint has remained flat, despite growth in square footage, tonnage and sales. Kroger found that nearly three-quarters of its carbon footprint is attributed to energy use and electricity the company purchases from utilities.

· In 2009, Kroger's transportation efficiency (cases shipped per gallon) improved by 7%. Kroger saved more than 200 million plastic bags in 2009 through better bagging techniques and increased use of reusable bags.

· Through Kroger's Plastic Recycling Program, 22.6 million pounds of plastic were recycled from stores and distribution centers last year. This represents a 144% increase in plastic recycling since 2007. Kroger’s goal for 2010 is to recycle more than 25 million pounds of plastic.

· In 2009, Kroger sold and provided nearly 7 million reusable bags in 2009 – potentially replacing about 7 billion plastic bags.

"The Kroger team continues to make strong progress in every area of our Sustainability Agenda and we are pleased to share our progress. said Rodney McMullen, president and chief operating officer of Kroger in a statement. “We also know there is much more to do and we look forward to continuing to partner with our customers, communities and associates on this important work."