Wegmans will eliminate plastic bag use companywide by the end of 2022, with a goal to shift customers to reusable bags, the best option to solve the environmental challenge of single-use grocery bags.
Albertsons Sets ESG Goals, Long-Term Sustainability Strategies
Albertsons Companies has launched long-term sustainability goals and strategies focused on maximizing the company’s positive impact across four pillars: Planet, People, Product and Community. The company’s Environmental, Social and Governance framework, called “Recipe for Change,” further solidifies Albertsons Cos.’ commitment to using its national presence and resources to drive meaningful, proactive change.
“As a long-standing neighborhood grocer, we have an ongoing commitment to leverage our resources and expertise to support the communities we serve and the planet we share,” said CEO Vivek Sankaran. “Today, we are unveiling ambitious and measurable goals that will challenge us to be even more deliberate and creative about how we lead positive change.”
Chief Sustainability and Transformation Officer Suzanne Long will oversee execution of Albertsons Cos.’ ESG strategy and sustainability agenda. Long has been in retail and consulting for more than 25 years and has led a variety of major strategic initiatives at Albertsons Cos. Long has been leading the company’s ESG efforts since late 2020.
“Albertsons Cos. has made substantial progress driving sustainability practices in our operations, including reducing energy and fuel consumption, implementing recycling programs, and fighting food insecurity in our local neighborhoods,” said Long. “Recipe for Change is about broadening our existing commitments so we can have an even greater impact.”
The company’s new ESG platform includes the following priorities and goals:
PLANET –
Climate Action: Albertsons Cos. is committed to fighting climate change by reducing carbon emissions through science-based targets.
- Achieve Science Based Targets initiative approved carbon emissions reduction goals by 2030.
- Reduce carbon emissions from company operations by 47%.
- Reduce downstream carbon emissions from the use of sold goods by approximately 27%.
- Engage top suppliers to set science-based carbon reduction targets by 2026.
- Achieve Net Zero emissions in company operations by 2040.
PEOPLE –
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Albertsons Cos. is committed to cultivating a diverse workforce and providing equal opportunity for all associates.
- Increase diverse representation within our management to reflect the rich diversity of the communities we serve.
- Foster an inclusive culture that embraces differences and drives innovation to accelerate growth.
- Ensure all associates have equal access to opportunities and resources.
PRODUCT –
Waste Reduction & Circularity: Albertsons Cos. is committed to eliminating food waste, reducing the use of plastic, and accelerating our transition to a more circular economy.
- Zero food waste going to landfill by 2030.
- Leverage global partnerships and platforms to report on and achieve the company’s Plastics & Packaging Pledge goals, including:
- By 2025, all Own Brands product packaging will be 100% recyclable, reusable, or industrially compostable.
- By 2025, Own Brands plastic packaging will include 20% recycled content.
- By 2022, Own Brands packaging will include standardized recycling communications.
COMMUNITY –
Nourishing Neighbors: Albertsons Cos. is committed to reducing food insecurity at a local level, so all its neighbors thrive.
- Enable the donation of one billion meals by 2030.
- Champion innovative programs and partnerships to help break the cycle of hunger in the communities we serve.
Albertsons Cos. will share updates and progress against its priorities in its annual ESG impact report this summer.
Sprouts to Hold First Private Brand Sustainability Vendor Summit
Sprouts Farmers Market will host its first Our Brands focused Sustainability Vendor Summit June 21-24 as part of the company’s commitment to offer responsibly grown and sourced food to customers.
The virtual event, hosted in partnership with ECRM and RangeMe, will allow Sprouts to discover new suppliers to support the continued expansion of Sprouts Branded items in departments including grocery, produce, frozen, deli, bulk foods, meat and seafood, and vitamins and supplements.
“At Sprouts, we believe that doing good extends beyond selling healthy products,” said Jac Ross, VP of Our Brands. “Our long-term growth strategy is rooted in sustainability efforts that improve our business while caring for our customers, team members, local communities and planet. Sprouts Sustainability Vendor Summit will help advance our dedication to expand our sustainable selection of Sprouts Branded products in our over 380 stores across the country and beyond.”
Starting now through April 25, Sprouts encourages private brand suppliers and manufacturers who align with its commitment to ensure ethically source ingredients and sustainable packaging and who prioritize and support improved animal welfare to sign up at www.rangeme.com/sproutssustainabilitysummit.
Learn more about Sprouts’ ESG initiatives at sprouts.com/sustainability.
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Wegmans to End Plastic Bag Use by End of 2022
“We understand shoppers are accustomed to receiving plastic bags at checkout and losing that option requires a significant change. We are here to help our customers with this transition as we focus on doing what’s right for the environment,” said Jason Wadsworth, Wegmans category merchant for packaging, energy, and sustainability. “As we’ve encountered plastic bag legislation in numerous markets, we’ve learned there’s more we can do, and a bigger impact we can make, together with our customers.”
Wegmans will incentivize the use of reusable bags by charging five cents per paper bag, an approach that has proven successful in New York and other markets. In stores where the company has already eliminated plastic bags, on average, paper bags are used for 20-25 percent of transactions, while the remaining 75-80 percent use reusable bags, or no bag at all. By eliminating plastic bags from the rest of our stores and focusing on transitioning our customers to reusable bags, we’re preventing approximately 345,000,000 single-use bags from going into circulation in a year’s time.
The amount collected from the paper-bag charge will be donated to each store’s local food bank and United Way. In 2021, the more than $1.7 million Wegmans collected and donated from the bag charge was used to increase access to wholesome food and address the most critical needs of our communities.
Wegmans’ elimination of single-use bags is coupled with its commitment to reduce single-use plastics. Wegmans has committed to reducing its in-store plastic packaging made from fossil fuels, along with other single-use plastics, by 10 million pounds by 2024.
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