WILLIAMSVILLE, NY - All around us, innovative sustainability strategies are budding, securing critical operational advancements for companies across the industry. Tops Friendly Markets is reflecting on the success of its 2023 sustainability blueprint, noting the impact of several key initiatives.

“As we continue to celebrate the start of a fresh new year, here at Tops we are excited to announce the advances we continue to make not only in our day-to-day efforts to adopt practices that help protect our environment, but also efforts that will make a lifelong impact,” the company said in a recent press release.

According to a press release, Tops’ network of stores recycled over 503 tons of organic scraps which includes unusable produce, floral, bakery cull, and unsaleable produce in 2023 alone. Through partnerships with companies like Organix Recycling, local recyclers, and farmers, the retailer was able to divert a significant amount of food from landfills.

Another element of Tops’ success is the company’s Fresh Recovery Program. This program focuses on rescuing and repurposing fresh produce and perishable items that would otherwise go to waste including bakery, deli, meat, seafood, frozen, and dairy items. Tops partners with local food banks, food pantries, and community organizations to ensure that surplus food is redirected to those in need, helping to combat hunger while also reducing the environmental footprint associated with food waste.

The impactful program has been expanded to 130 Tops locations across New York State and repurposed over 310 tons of food last year.

In 2015, the retail chain made the decision to convert its fleet of tractors from diesel to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) at its Lancaster Distribution Center. As a result, the chain’s facility is running more efficiently and has reduced fuel operating costs by 40–50 percent.

Dive deeper into all of Tops' sustainability efforts here.

Stay tuned as ANUK reports on the development of these impactful initiatives!