SUNBURY, PA - It won’t be long before I’m yelling, “Consumers love sustainability!” from the rooftop like a rooster crowing at the dawn—but that’s because it’s true. Eco-friendly practices are trending hard, and not the flash-in-the-pan sort of trend, but a true movement. More and more growers, retailers, and shippers are jumping on board to lead the charge towards sustainability—including Weis Markets. The retailer has decreased its carbon emissions by more than 20 percent compared to 2008 in an ongoing effort to reduce its overall environmental impact in the communities it serves.

“Our sustainability program continues to make steady progress, focusing on five key areas: reducing our climate impact; the green design and improvement of our stores, facilities, and logistics; protecting our resources; working with local farmers and food processors; and being socially responsible,” said Chairman and CEO, Jonathan Weis. “We achieved these results thanks to the hard work of our sustainability team and the many associates who help implement our program throughout our store base, distribution center, and support facilities.”

Weis Markets has highlighted its eco-progress in its 2018 Sustainability Report: Rooted in Success, Growing Our Future, which details the company’s sustainability progress in 2018. Over the course of 2018, the retailer implemented innovative measures to increase facility energy efficiencies, reduce truck fleet fuel consumption, reduce refrigerant emissions, and divert waste from landfills. Last year the retailer achieved its 10-year, 20 percent emission reduction milestone, despite a 2.6 percent emission increase due to an increased store count, expanded variety of refrigerated items, and the rollout of self-checkouts to additional stores. The company is continuing its efforts to install energy conservation and emission reduction features in its stores.

Key Weis Markets sustainability achievements in 2018 include:

• Increased food donations to over 860 tons through its expanding partnership with Feeding America. The donations are a key component of its commitment as a U.S. Food Loss & Waste 2030 Champion.
• Was recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) GreenChill program, which encourages reducing refrigerant usage to address environmental impacts on the ozone layer and climate. In 2018 the company’s Carlisle Street store in Hanover, Pennsylvania, was honored as the first store in GreenChill history to achieve 10 consecutive certifications, and its store in Randolph, New Jersey, was honored as the company’s first-ever Platinum certified facility for its transcritical CO₂ system.
• Converted 34 stores from fluorescent to LED lighting, reducing electricity consumption by 300,000 kWh annually per store.
• Diverted 39,341 tons of waste from landfills.
• Worked with National Gypsum Company, a local building products manufacturer, to recycle 28,180 tons of cardboard.

AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the sustainability movement as it develops.

Weis Markets