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Find a Climate-Friendly Supermarket Near You: A Global Tool
This Earth Day, as we grapple with a global pandemic, marks a watershed moment that underscores the need for action commensurate with what science tells us is required to mitigate the global climate crisis. While climate advocates may not be able to take to the streets to demand systemic policy change this year, thoughtful consumerism is another way we can make our voices heard and drive powerful change.
Here is a tool that can help:
Last year on Earth Day, EIA launched climatefriendlysupermarkets.org, an online resource that recognizes actions toward HFC-free refrigeration in the U.S. supermarket sector. For the past year, the website highlighted achievements, encouraged further uptake of climate-friendly technology, and informed American consumers including through a searchable map of stores avoiding use of HFCs.
This year, we are launching the expansion of this map to enable submission of information on stores using climate-friendly refrigerants around the world. This interactive tool would help you find a store near you that reduces climate-warming refrigerant gases, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). This map is searchable by ZIP code, city, and state; and by clicking on individual stores, consumers can also learn about the specific type of climate-friendly cooling technologies used.
Why is this important?
Supermarkets, with their enormous cooling needs, are among the largest corporate users of HFCs. HFCs are the common refrigerants that cool our food, but also wreak havoc on our climate; they are thousands of times worse for the environment than the same amount of CO2. Unfortunately, the average U.S. supermarket leaks roughly 875 lbs. of HFCs a year. This means leaks from one store would be equivalent to emissions of 336 additional cars on the road. When combined, the HFC emissions of U.S. grocery retailers equal that of 49 billion pounds of coal burned a year.
Natural refrigerants, like CO2, ammonia, or hydrocarbons like propane, have been viable refrigerant options for a long time now. By converting to natural refrigerants, supermarkets gain energy efficiency and avoid climate-damaging emissions. It’s well known that all supermarket refrigerant systems leak at one point or another during their lifetime, even those that are climate-friendly. The difference is a natural refrigerant system has a global warming potential (GWP) of less than 10 – more commonly 1 or 3 – whereas HFCs have GWPs in the thousands. Hence, the impact and severity of a leak is vastly mitigated when dealing with natural refrigerants instead of HFCs. In Europe and Japan, natural refrigerants have become the norm rather than the exception. In Europe alone, over 20,000 supermarkets use CO2 as a refrigerant and comprise over 90% of overall CO2 uptake. Companies are also adopting hydrocarbon alternatives in these locations, with subsidiaries like LIDL France committing to using only propane in all new builds. Meanwhile United States has seen a much slower transition. In North America, the first natural refrigerant installation took place 11 years after Europe’s leaders. Some of the largest U.S. grocery retailers still do not operate a single HFC-free store. Simply put, there is no excuse for this lag; consumer demand could be a powerful tool to ensure adoption of climate-friendly refrigerants, a necessary step to mitigate the climate crisis.
More about this map:
Users can explore this map to not only see whether there are HFC-free stores in their zip code, their city or their country, but they can also see which companies have such stores and encourage progress globally. Stores that use HFC-free refrigeration are distinguished from those that rely on hybrid systems (HFC and a natural refrigerant), symbolized by green and orange respectively. While hybrid stores still contain HFCs, in many cases they have been partially converted to use climate-friendly alternatives representing an interim improvement until the entire system can be replaced. With over 260 stores and counting, this map highlights those supermarkets actively addressing the climate effects of their cooling.
It is important to note that this map is currently seeking input, and far from comprehensive. We encourage further submissions, particularly in markets where actual adoption of HFC-free technologies is currently under-represented in our data. This includes the European Union, Japan, and Canada where there have been significant uptake of natural refrigerants, that is yet to be reflected in the map.
On the first Earth Day 50 years ago, some 20 million Americans flooded the streets to protest environmental crises, spurring the environmental movement of today. Half a century later, the streets are empty today, as we find ourselves at home in quite uncertain times. Still – today, as every Earth Day this past half-century – our actions are important.
Addressing emissions of super-polluting coolants like HFCs was identified as the top climate mitigation action in the 2017 book, Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming, that ranked currently available climate-change mitigation technologies and practices based on their ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions between 2020 and 2050. In a 2020 update, Drawdown estimates that together, by addressing refrigerant management and alternative refrigerants we could reduce more than 100Gt of CO2e emissions. This Earth Day, we can do our part by supporting supermarkets who are actively addressing their use and emissions of HFCs.
Supermarkets are encouraged to submit their climate-friendly store location information via our submission form and template.
EARTH with John Holden Highlights Climate-Friendly Refrigeration in Aldi
From EARTH with John Holden press release: “John Holden heads to upstate New York, where we meet a grocery store chain that is leading the way in eliminating super-pollutant hydrofluorocarbons [HFCs] in refrigerating food. ALDI, with its more than 1800 stores across the country, has adopted transcritical CO2 refrigeration systems in many of its grocery stores- as well as electricity generated by rooftop solar farms to run its 9 distribution centers and neighborhood stores. ALDI shows us how its national commitment to hydrofluorocarbon reduction- and adopting natural refrigeration systems- has made it a clear leader in environmentally friendly refrigeration.”
Bloomberg News: “Cool It” Campaign: Groups Take Aim at Walmart’s Massive Refrigerant Leakage Problem
August 13, 2019
Green America, the nation’s leading green economy organization, has announced a new campaign to call on Walmart, one of the world’s largest retailers, to reduce its hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissions. The Cool It campaign urges Walmart to release a detailed plan to phase out HFCs in all locations, monitor and repair its refrigerant leaks and practice responsible disposal. The company’s own data states that HFCs account for roughly 46 percent of the company’s total direct emissions, according to the Carbon Disclosure Project.
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are greenhouse gases with thousands of times the heat-trapping power of carbon dioxide. Used as refrigerants in air conditioners and refrigerators, HFCs leak into the atmosphere from faulty equipment and improper disposal. Walmart has made statements on the importance of refrigerant management in the past but has not released a concrete plan to cut those emissions.
“These potent greenhouse gases have extremely high global warming potential and need to be addressed,” said Beth Porter, Green America’s Climate Campaigns Director. “The energy equivalent of Walmart’s annual HFC emissions would power nearly every household in San Francisco. It is a glaring source of the company’s impact on the climate crisis and we are urging Walmart to take action.”
In 2013, the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) explicitly called attention to Walmart’s inaction on its refrigerant practices and HFC emissions in its report, The Dirty Dozen: How your local supermarket is killing the climate. Although Walmart released goals on cutting greenhouse gas emissions through its highly publicized initiative, Project Gigaton, which aims to “avoid one gigaton of greenhouse gases” by incentivizing its suppliers to make changes, the company does not list a public goal on direct HFC emissions despite having been aware of the issue for years. In April 2019, EIA released its Climate Friendly Supermarkets platform map to celebrate leaders on the issue (including Aldi, Whole Foods and Target) showing the actions of each company and why it makes business sense to move to climate-friendly cooling.
“In a time of acute need for climate action, Walmart, a company with a massive footprint and ample resources, continues to sleepwalk while smarter companies are rapidly adopting energy efficient HFC-free technologies,” said Avipsa Mahapatra, Climate Campaign Lead, EIA. “EIA joins Green America in once again calling upon Walmart to sever its reliance on potent super-pollutant HFCs for cooling and demonstrate that the company’s sustainability commitments are not just hollow words.”
Improved refrigerant management is identified by Project Drawdown as the number one solution to reduce greenhouse gases causing the climate crisis. The EPA reports that one quarter of refrigerants used at a typical store leaks out every year.
ACHR News: EIA Identifies Retailers With HFC-Free Refrigeration Systems
The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) unveiled a new initiative identifying U.S. retailers committed to taking leadership action to reduce HFCs. As part of this initiative, Aldi U.S. announced its intent to add 100 more stores in 2019 with HFC-free refrigeration systems.
“In a time of acute need for leadership on climate change, the U.S. retail sector has remained a laggard in adopting climate-friendly cooling compared to their counterparts in rest of the developed world,” said Avipsa Mahapatra, lead of climate campaign at EIA. “Smart companies, such as Aldi U.S., committed to rapidly scaling up energy efficient HFC-free technologies, demonstrate that it makes business and climate sense to lead in adopting future-proof refrigeration systems not reliant on potent super-pollutants.”
“Aldi is deeply committed to reducing its refrigerant emissions and believes natural refrigerants are the best long-term solution for the planet,” said Aaron Sumida, vice president at ALDI. “To put this value into practice, ALDI has adopted transcritical CO2 refrigeration systems in many of its new and remodeled stores and targets 100 more in 2019. We’re excited to continue to drive forward change with our commitment to hydrofluorocarbon reduction and adopting natural refrigeration systems.”
EIA analysis found Aldi U.S. as a standout leader, along with Whole Foods, Target, Sprouts, and Ahold Delhaize USA as companies taking significant steps to reduce HFCs and increase energy efficiency in refrigeration. These companies are profiled in a new web platform, located at www.climatefriendlysupermarkets.org. The site provides a map of supermarket locations in the U.S. using climate-friendly cooling and highlights specific company actions in three key areas: adopting technologies, refrigerant management, and engaging in technical and policy dialogue.
"We are committed to limiting our climate footprint, including taking steps to reduce HFCs used in cooling,” said Brittni Furrow, vice president of sustainable retailing for Ahold Delhaize USA. “Our company's global target to lower the average GWP of refrigerants in stores to 2,230 by the year 2020 reflects this commitment. We also continue to look for opportunities to use climate-friendly cooling technologies like those already employed in one Food Lion and three Hannaford stores in the U.S.”
Frank Davis, director of facilities and engineering at Sprouts Farmers Market, said, “At Sprouts, we are committed to lowering HFC emissions from cooling by reducing leaks and piloting sustainable refrigeration technologies in stores. We continue to follow through on this commitment through our participation and certification of stores in EPA's GreenChill Partnership."
“We commend this small group of leading companies, but there is much more the U.S. supermarket sector can and must do,” said Christina Starr, climate policy analyst at EIA. “These leading companies represent just 15 percent of U.S. supermarkets so there’s a big opportunity for more to commitments such as phasing out the worst HFCs like R-404A, adopting climate friendly refrigerants in new refrigeration systems, or joining the EPA’s GreenChill Partnership and taking steps to limit leaks.”
If all U.S. supermarkets join the EPA’s GreenChill Partnership and achieve similar reduced leak rates, it would mitigate an additional 15.5 million metric tons CO2e annually.
Progressive Grocer: Grocers Share Sustainability Highlights
https://progressivegrocer.com/grocers-share-sustainability-highlights
Grocers Share Sustainability Highlights
04/22/2019
Among other sustainability practices, grocers are encouraging shoppers to pack items in reusable bags
With Earth Day comes grocers’ release of their achievements in the area of sustainability. For instance, Food Lion is highlighting its environmental efforts in the form of an infographic showing the following:
Conservation: Since 2000, the grocer has saved more than 825.5 million kilowatt-hours of energy, equivalent to powering 66,340 homes for a year.
Recycling: In 2018, Food Lion recycled 8,862 tons of food into animal feed, 126,915 tons of office paper, and 5,932 tons of plastic bags and other in-store plastics.
Food Rescue: The first retailer to introduce a food rescue program 20 years, ago, the grocer continued its activities in this regard through its Food Lion Feeds arm by donating 88 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy products and shelf-stable food in 2018.
Sustainable Products: Food Lion’s sustainable seafood policy, covering more than 2,500 fresh, frozen, canned or packaged products sold across the store, means that its seafood products are traceable back to the original source fishery or farm.
Recognition: The company recently garnered its 18thconsecutive Energy Star Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – a record among grocers – for continued leadership in energy efficiency.
One of Food Lion’s sister banners, Giant Food Stores, is celebrating they occasion with various community partnerships designed to elevate its earth-friendly practices, including scheduled events with various local organizations and a recently introduced reusable bag program. The grocer also revealed that it had recycled more than 51 million pounds of organic waste into clean green energy, and 107 million pounds of cardboard, saving 911,000 trees, and helped transform plastic bags collected at its stores into 50 community benches.
Similarly, Sprouts Farmers Market has made available its 2018 report on sustainability and social initiatives, highlights of which include:
Donating 27 million pounds of food to local food banks, diverting 37 million pounds of food to outlets such as cattle farms and compost facilities, and recycling 91 million pounds of cardboard.
Advancing its sustainable seafood policy, leading to about 100 percent of Sprouts’ fresh and frozen seafood being sourced from vendors that are certified sustainable, participating in a Fishery or Aquaculture Improvement Program or well-managed fisheries.
Awarding $2 million in nonprofit donations through the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation to provide funding to health-and-wellness programs.
The grocer is also marking Earth Month in April by offering online educational tips and resources regarding the reduction of food waste, recycling, composting and creating natural cleaners.
For its part, ShopRite, a banner operated by members of retailer cooperative Wakefern Food Corp. has received the 2019 Environmental Leadership Award from EarthShare New Jersey, an organization that works with 400 environmental groups across the state and country. The banner earned the honor through such accomplishments as donating 5,000 tons of fresh food to community food banks last year while composting and diverting another 10,000 tons of food waste from landfills; having more than 100 Green Teams in place at stores, made up of associates who volunteer both at the stores in in the community to improve the environment; sponsoring nearly 30 regional environmental organizations; operating its own recycling center, in Elizabeth, N.J., which has recycled more than 2.5 million tons of material since the late 1970s; and inspiring customers and communities to help clean up parks, beaches and town centers for the ShopRite Earth Day Challenge, in which 3,000 associates and ShopRite customers took part this year.
In related news, Washington, D.C.-based nongovernmental organization Environmental Investigation Agency has identified Ahold Delhaize USA, Aldi U.S., Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market and Target as standout leaders in reducing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) through energy-efficient equipment and technology.
Salisbury, N.C.-based Food Lion has more than 1,000 stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, employing 63,000-plus associates. Carlisle, Pa. Giant Food Stores operates nearly 180 neighborhood stores, 132 pharmacies, 99 fuel stations, and online grocery ordering and delivery services, employing more than 30,000 associates. The banners’ parent company Ahold Delhaize USA, the U.S. division of Zaandam, Netherlands-based Royal Ahold Delhaize Group, is No. 4 on Progressive Grocer’s 2018 Super 50 list of the top grocers in the United States. With 50 member companies that independently own and operate 344 supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite, The Fresh Grocer, Readington Farms and Dearborn Market banners in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Virginia, Keasbey, N.J.-based Wakefern is No 7 on the list, while Phoenix-based Sprouts, employing more than 30,000 associates at 300-plus stores in 19 states, is No. 22.
Supermarket News: Supermarkets ramp up sustainability push
https://www.supermarketnews.com/sustainability/supermarkets-ramp-sustainability-push
On Earth Day 2019, supermarket retailers highlighted efforts to promote environmentally friendly practices in their operations and communities.
Aldi U.S. said Monday that this year it aims to add 100 more stores with hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-free refrigeration systems.
On Earth Day 2019, supermarket retailers highlighted efforts to promote environmentally friendly practices in their operations and communities.
Aldi U.S. said Monday that this year it aims to add 100 more stores with hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-free refrigeration systems.
“Aldi is deeply committed to reducing its refrigerant emissions and believes natural refrigerants are the best long-term solution for the planet,” Aldi Vice President Aaron Sumida said in a statement. “To put this value into practice, Aldi has adopted transcritical CO2 refrigeration systems in many of its new and remodeled stores and targets 100 more in 2019. We’re excited to continue to drive forward change with our commitment to hydrofluorocarbon reduction and adopting natural refrigeration systems.”
The plan is part of a new initiative by the Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) to identify U.S. retailers to taking leadership action to reduce potent greenhouse gases used in cooling systems.
On Earth Day 2019, supermarket retailers highlighted efforts to promote environmentally friendly practices in their operations and communities.
Aldi U.S. said Monday that this year it aims to add 100 more stores with hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-free refrigeration systems.
Related: Metro to accept reusable containers for fresh food
“Aldi is deeply committed to reducing its refrigerant emissions and believes natural refrigerants are the best long-term solution for the planet,” Aldi Vice President Aaron Sumida said in a statement. “To put this value into practice, Aldi has adopted transcritical CO2 refrigeration systems in many of its new and remodeled stores and targets 100 more in 2019. We’re excited to continue to drive forward change with our commitment to hydrofluorocarbon reduction and adopting natural refrigeration systems.”
The plan is part of a new initiative by the Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) to identify U.S. retailers to taking leadership action to reducepotent greenhouse gases used in cooling systems.
Related: QFC completes phaseout of single-use plastic bags
Along with Aldi U.S., EIA named Whole Foods Market, Target, Sprouts Farmers Market and Ahold Delhaize USA as companies taking significant steps to cut back HFCs and foster energy efficiency in refrigeration. The retailers are profiled at ClimateFriendlySupermarkets.org, a new web platform launched Monday. The website provides a map of U.S. supermarket locations using climate-friendly cooling and highlights company actions in adopting technologies, refrigerant management, and engaging in technical and policy dialogue.
"We are committed to limiting our climate footprint, including taking steps to reduce HFCs used in cooling,” said Brittni Furrow, vice president of sustainable retailing for Ahold Delhaize USA. “Our company's global target to lower the average global warming potential of refrigerants in stores to 2,230 by the year 2020 reflects this commitment. We also continue to look for opportunities to use climate-friendly cooling technologies like those already employed in one Food Lion and three Hannaford stores in the U.S."
The average supermarket refrigeration system contains thousands of pounds of HFCs that leak out over time, and these high Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants — leaking from 38,000 supermarkets across the United States — emit up to 45 million metric tons CO2 equivalent annually, EIA reported.
“We currently have 30 stores using low-GWP refrigeration systems, including CO2, propane and ammonia, and have adopted propane self-contained cases across the entire chain,” said Aaron Daly, principal and global director of energy management at Whole Foods. “We have seen great results from our low-GWP projects to date and continue to invest in innovation, exploring new approaches to reducing HFCs while addressing the varying needs of food retail refrigeration.”
The HFCs used as refrigerants in most supermarkets have a GWP of up to 4,000, whereas systems adopted by companies identified as leaders by EIA use refrigerants like carbon dioxide, propane and ammonia, which have GWP near zero, EIA said. These refrigerants are often dubbed “natural refrigerants” versus synthetic patented fluorochemicals, the agency added.
Halving average refrigerant GWP in all U.S. supermarkets would cut U.S. refrigerant emissions by 22.7 million metric tons of CO2e annually in 2025, according to EIA.
“At Sprouts, we are committed to lowering HFC emissions from cooling by reducing leaks and piloting sustainable refrigeration technologies in stores,” said Frank Davis, director of facilities and engineering at Sprouts Farmers Market. “We continue to follow through on this commitment through our participation and certification of stores in the EPA's GreenChill Partnership."
If all U.S. supermarkets joined the EPA’s GreenChill Partnership and achieve similar reduced leak rates, it would mitigate another 15.5 million metric tons CO2e annually, according to EIA.
Meanwhile, The Save Mart Companies (TSMC) announced Monday that, by the end of April, it will run all transportations operations using 100% renewable drop-in diesel produced by Neste MY Renewable Diesel.
Save Mart will be the first supermarket chain to fully convert to the fuel, which is made from all renewable raw materials, helping to lower traffic emissions and increase the amount of renewable energy used in transport, Neste said.
With the switch, Save Mart will offset the emissions of more than 5,500 cars on the road per year. The grocer operates 208 stores under Save Mart, Lucky, FoodMaxx, S-Mart Foods and MaxxValue Foods banners in California and northern Nevada.
"I am excited to have all TSMC transportations operations running on renewable diesel," Bruce Christiansen, group vice president of logistics and supply chain optimization at Save Mart, said in a statement. "The company understands its business activities impact the environment, and by investing in Neste MY Renewable Diesel, TSMC is reducing up to 80% of its emissions, improving local air quality and reducing our carbon footprint."
Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. is stepping up its sustainability efforts as well, unveiling a broad plan on Monday to reduce plastic waste, beginning with its own-brand portfolio.
By 2025, Albertsons aims to ensure that 100% of own-brand product packaging will be recyclable, reusable, or industrially compostable. The company also is targeting reduced plastic usage, with an emphasis on single-use plastics; 20% recycled content in own-brand plastic packaging by 2025; and recycling of operational (non-consumer facing) plastics for use in new retail, industrial and/or consumer items.
Albertsons said that by 2022 it plans to include clear recycling communications on own-brand product packaging, including the use of QR Codes. To that end, the company is working with How2Recycle to standardize its labeling system and improve the reliability, completeness and transparency of recyclability claims. The grocer also aims to source and share industry best practices with other members of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, a collaborative of retailers, manufacturers, governments and educational institutions supporting efforts to expand sustainable packaging.
“As we innovate and expand our own-brand lines, we always keep the overall impact of packaging in mind and seek out ways to improve sustainability for each and every product,” commented Geoff White, president of own brands at Albertsons, which operates nearly 2,300 stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia under 20 retail banners, as well as meal kit company Plated. “Our suppliers are strong partners in this effort and, in many cases, are leading the charge on reducing, reusing and decreasing plastic content.”
Other sustainability efforts and achievements by supermarkets include the following:
• Food Lion in 2018 recycled 8,862 tons of food into animal feed, 126,915 tons of office paper and 5,932 tons of plastic bags and other in-store plastics. Also, last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized Food Lion with its 18th consecutive Energy Star award for superior energy efficiency.
• ShopRite has received EarthShare New Jersey’s 2019 Environmental Leadership Award. Among the grocery chain’s initiatives are more than 100 “Green Teams” of store associates who volunteer their time in-store and in the community to help improve the environment. ShopRite also sponsors about 30 regional environmental organizations.
• Later this week, associates of Giant Food Stores in Carlisle, Pa., will join Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and The Friends of Johnston Inc. to plant more than 200 trees, shrubs, native flowers and willows at the first mayor of Bethlehem’s iconic estate. Giant fuel customers provided the greenery via participation in the grocer’s “You Pump, We Plant” reduced emissions program developed with GreenPrint.
Shecco: New EIA website spotlights HFC-reducing U.S. grocers
ALDI US LEADS THE WAY WITH 100 MORE TRANSCRITICAL CO2 STORES IN 2019.
A new website launched today – Earth Day – by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) highlights U.S. retailers committed reducing HFCs in part by installing natural refrigerant-based systems.
As part of this initiative, ALDI US announced its intent to add 100 more stores in 2019 with transcritical CO2 refrigeration. To date, the retailer, which operates more than 1,800 stores, has installed transcritical systems in over 220 stores, making it the leading U.S. retail user of the technology. ALDI US also employs self-contained equipment running on propane in over 900 stores, as well as ammonia refrigeration systems in all warehouses.
“ALDI is deeply committed to reducing its refrigerant emissions and believes natural refrigerants are the best long-term solution for the planet,” said Aaron Sumida, Vice President at ALDI.
“Smart companies, such as ALDI U.S., committed to rapidly scaling up energy efficient HFC-free technologies, demonstrate that it makes business and climate sense to lead in adopting future-proof refrigeration systems not reliant on potent super-pollutants,” said Avipsa Mahapatra, climate campaign lead for EIA.
In addition to ALDI US, the new EIA web platform – https://www.climatefriendlysupermarkets.org – identifies other food retailers engaged in HFC-reduction and energy-efficiency initiatives, including Whole Foods, Target, Sprouts, and Ahold Delhaize USA. The site provides a map of supermarket locations in the U.S. using climate-friendly cooling and highlights specific company actions in three key areas: adopting technologies, refrigerant management, and engaging in technical and policy dialogue.
But Mahapatra noted that, apart from these leading retailers,the U.S. retail sector as a whole “has remained a laggard in adopting climate-friendly cooling compared to their counterparts in rest of the developed world.”
“We commend this small group of leading companies, but there is much more the U.S. supermarket sector can and must do,” added Christina Starr, climate policy analyst, EIA. “These leading companies represent just 15% of U.S. supermarkets so there’s a big opportunity for more to commitments such as phasing out the worst HFCs like R404A, adopting climate friendly refrigerants in new refrigeration systems, or joining the EPA’s GreenChill Partnership and taking steps to limit leaks.”
If all U.S. supermarkets join the EPA’s GreenChill Partnership and achieve similar reduced leak rates, it would mitigate an additional 15.5 million metric tons CO2e annually, EIA said.
Retailers Speak
Other U.S. retailers included on the website commented on their HFC-reduction initiatives.
"We currently have 30 stores using low-GWP refrigeration systems including CO2, propane and ammonia and have adopted propane self-contained cases across the entire chain,” said Aaron Daly, global director of energy management at Whole Foods. “We have seen great results from our low GWP projects to date and continue to invest in innovation, exploring new approaches to reducing HFCs while addressing the varying needs of food retail refrigeration.”
"We are committed to limiting our climate footprint, including taking steps to reduce HFCs used in cooling,” said Brittni Furrow, VP of sustainable retailing for Ahold Delhaize USA. “Our company's global target to lower the average global warming potential of refrigerants in stores to 2,230 by the year 2020 reflects this commitment. We also continue to look for opportunities to use climate-friendly cooling technologies like those already employed in one Food Lion and three Hannaford stores in the U.S."
Added Frank Davis, director of facilities and engineering at Sprouts Farmers Market: “At Sprouts, we are committed to lowering HFC emissions from cooling by reducing leaks and piloting sustainable refrigeration technologies in stores. We continue to follow through on this commitment through our participation and certification of stores in EPA's GreenChill Partnership."
Progressive Grocer: U.S. Grocers Commit to HFC-Free Stores
https://progressivegrocer.com/us-grocers-commit-hfc-free-stores
In time for Earth Day, an Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) initiative identifying U.S. retailers committed to reducing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) has identified Ahold Delhaize USA, Aldi U.S., Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market and Target as standout leaders in this regard.
The companies are profiled in a web platform that provides a map of U.S. supermarkets employing climate-friendly cooling and highlights specific company actions in three key areas: adopting technologies, refrigerant management, and engaging in technical and policy dialogue.
“In a time of acute need for leadership on climate change, the U.S. retail sector has remained a laggard in adopting climate-friendly cooling compared to their counterparts in rest of the developed world,” noted Avipsa Mahapatra, climate campaign lead at EIA, a Washington, D.C.-based nongovernmental organization. “Smart companies, such as Aldi U.S., committed to rapidly scaling up energy-efficient HFC-free technologies, demonstrate that it makes business and climate sense to lead in adopting future-proof refrigeration systems not reliant on potent super-pollutants.”
For its part, Aldi U.S. this year plans to add HFC-free refrigeration systems to 100 more of its nearly 1,900 stores.
“Aldi is deeply committed to reducing its refrigerant emissions and believes natural refrigerants are the best long-term solution for the planet,” said Aaron Sumida, VP at the Batavia, Ill.-based hard-discount grocer. “To put this value into practice, Aldi has adopted transcritical CO 2 refrigeration systems in many of its new and remodeled stores, and targets 100 more in 2019. We’re excited to continue to drive forward change with our commitment to hydrofluorocarbon reduction and adopting natural refrigeration systems.”
“We currently have 30 stores using low-GWP [global warming potential] refrigeration systems including CO2, propane and ammonia, and have adopted propane self-contained cases across the entire chain,” observed Aaron Daly, global director of energy management at Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods. “We have seen great results from our low-GWP projects to date and continue to invest in innovation, exploring new approaches to reducing HFCs while addressing the varying needs of food retail refrigeration.”
“We are committed to limiting our climate footprint, including taking steps to reduce HFCs used in cooling,” said Brittni Furrow, VP of sustainable retailing for Carlisle, Pa.-based Ahold Delhaize USA. “Our company’s global target to lower the average global warming potential of refrigerants in stores to 2,230 by the year 2020 reflects this commitment. We also continue to look for opportunities to use climate-friendly cooling technologies like those already employed in one Food Lion and three Hannaford stores in the U.S.”
“At Sprouts, we are committed to lowering HFC emissions from cooling by reducing leaks and piloting sustainable refrigeration technologies in stores,” said Frank Davis, director of facilities and engineering at the Phoenix-based natural foods grocer. “We continue to follow through on this commitment through our participation and certification of stores in EPA’s GreenChill Partnership.”
“We commend this small group of companies for taking action, but there is much more U.S. supermarkets can and must do,” pointed out Christina Starr, EIA’s climate policy analyst. “These leading companies represent just 15 percent of the sector, so there’s a big opportunity for more to commitments to phase out the worst HFCs, like R404A, adopt climate-friendly technologies and join the EPA’s GreenChill Partnership to reduce leaks.”
If all U.S. supermarkets were to join the GreenChill Partnership and achieve similar reduced-leak rates, it would mitigate an additional 15.5 million metric tons of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) annually.
Ahold Delhaize USA is No. 4 on Progressive Grocer’s 2018 Super 50 list of the top grocers in the United States, while Whole Foods is No. 8, Aldi is No. 9, Target is No. 13 and Sprouts is No. 22.
Cooling Post: Website pinpoints “HFC-free” supermarkets
https://www.coolingpost.com/world-news/website-pinpoints-hfc-free-supermarkets/
USA: The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) is marking Earth Day, today, with the launch of a new website identifying US retailers committed to using HFC-free refrigeration systems.
Coinciding with the website launch, the EIA reveals that retailer Aldi US is to add 100 more stores in 2019 with transcritical CO2 systems.
“In a time of acute need for leadership on climate change, the US retail sector has remained a laggard in adopting climate-friendly cooling compared to their counterparts in rest of the developed world,” said Avipsa Mahapatra, the EIA climate campaign lead. “Smart companies, such as Aldi US, committed to rapidly scaling up energy efficient HFC-free technologies, demonstrate that it makes business and climate sense to lead in adopting future-proof refrigeration systems not reliant on potent super-pollutants.”
Aldi vice president Aaron Sumida confirmed the additions in 2019 having already adopted transcritical CO2 refrigeration systems in many of its new and remodeled stores.
“ALDI is deeply committed to reducing its refrigerant emissions and believes natural refrigerants are the best long-term solution for the planet,” he said.
Aldi US, along with Whole Foods, Target, Sprouts, and Ahold Delhaize USA, described as the leading retailers in reducing HFCs, are profiled on the new EIA website www.climatefriendlysupermarkets.org.
The site provides a map of supermarket locations in the US using “climate-friendly” cooling and highlights specific company actions in three key areas: adopting technologies, refrigerant management, and engaging in technical and policy dialogue.
“We commend this small group of companies for taking action, but there is much more US supermarkets can and must do,” said Christina Starr, climate policy analyst at EIA. “These leading companies represent just 15% of the sector, so there’s a big opportunity for more commitments to phase out the worst HFCs like R404A, adopt climate-friendly technologies, and join the EPA’s GreenChill Partnership to reduce leaks.”
Supermarkets Leading the Way in Eliminating Super-Pollutant HFCs: ALDI U.S. Intends to Add 100 More HFC-Free Stores in 2019
ALDI U.S. Intends to Add 100 More HFC-Free Stores in 2019
Washington D.C. — This Earth Day, the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) is unveiling a new initiative identifying U.S. retailers committed to taking leadership action to reduce potent greenhouse gases used in cooling, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). As part of this initiative, ALDI U.S. announced its intent to add 100 more stores in 2019 with HFC-free refrigeration systems.
“In a time of acute need for leadership on climate change, the U.S. retail sector has remained a laggard in adopting climate-friendly cooling compared to their counterparts in rest of the developed world,” said Avipsa Mahapatra, Climate Campaign Lead, EIA. “Smart companies, such as ALDI U.S., committed torapidly scaling up energy efficient HFC-free technologies, demonstrate that it makes business and climate sense to lead in adopting future-proof refrigeration systems not reliant on potent super-pollutants.”
“ALDI is deeply committed to reducing its refrigerant emissions and believes natural refrigerants are the best long-term solution for the planet,” said Aaron Sumida, Vice President at ALDI. “To put this value into practice, ALDI has adopted transcritical CO2 refrigeration systems in many of its new and remodeled stores and targets 100 more in 2019. We’re excited to continue to drive forward change with our commitment to hydrofluorocarbon reduction and adopting natural refrigeration systems.”
EIA analysis found ALDI U.S. as a standout leader, along with Whole Foods, Target, Sprouts, and Ahold Delhaize USA as companies taking significant steps to reduce HFCs and increase energy efficiency in refrigeration. These companies are profiled in a new web platform launched today, www.climatefriendlysupermarkets.org. The site provides a map of supermarket locations in the U.S. using climate-friendly cooling and highlights specific company actions in three key areas: adopting technologies, refrigerant management, and engaging in technical and policy dialogue.
"For nearly 40 years since we opened our first store, Whole Foods Market has been committed to environmental sustainability, and finding new opportunities to reduce our energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions,” said Aaron Daly, Principal, Global Director of Energy Management, Whole Foods Market. “We currently have 30 stores using low-GWP refrigeration systems including CO2, propane and ammonia and have adopted propane self-contained cases across the entire chain. We have seen great results from our low GWP projects to date and continue to invest in innovation, exploring new approaches to reducing HFCs while addressing the varying needs of food retail refrigeration.”
"We are committed to limiting our climate footprint, including taking steps to reduce HFCs used in cooling,” said Brittni Furrow, VP of Sustainable Retailing for Ahold Delhaize USA. “Our company's global target to lower the average global warming potential of refrigerants in stores to 2,230 by the year 2020 reflects this commitment. We also continue to look for opportunities to use climate-friendly cooling technologies like those already employed in one Food Lion and three Hannaford stores in the U.S."
Frank Davis, Director of Facilities and Engineering at Sprouts Farmers Market, said, “At Sprouts, we are committed to lowering HFC emissions from cooling by reducing leaks and piloting sustainable refrigeration technologies in stores. We continue to follow through on this commitment through our participation and certification of stores in EPA's GreenChill Partnership."
“We commend this small group of companies for taking action, but there is much more U.S. supermarkets can and must do,” said Christina Starr, Climate Policy Analyst at EIA. “These leading companies represent just 15% of the sector, so there’s a big opportunity for more commitments to phase out the worstHFCs like R404A, adopt climate-friendly technologies, and join the EPA’s GreenChill Partnership to reduce leaks.”
If all U.S. supermarkets join the EPA’s GreenChill Partnership and achieve similar reduced leak rates, it would mitigate an additional 15.5 million metric tons CO2e annually. For more information visit: www.climatefriendlysupermarkets.org
Notes to Editors:
1.The average supermarket refrigeration system contains thousands of pounds of HFCs that leak out over time. These high Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants – leaking from 38,000 supermarkets across the U.S. – emit up to 45 million metric tons CO2 equivalent annually.
2.The HFCs used as refrigerants in most supermarkets have a GWP of up to 4,000, whereas systems adopted by companies identified leaders here use refrigerants like carbon dioxide, propane, and ammonia, have an ultra-low GWP, that is near zero. These refrigerants are often colloquially called “natural refrigerants” as opposed to synthetic patented fluorochemicals.
3.Reducing average refrigerant GWP in all U.S. supermarkets by 50% would shrink refrigerant emissions in the U.S. by 22.7 million metric tons CO2e annually in 2025.