United States Supermarket Scorecard 2022

ALDI continues to be the market leader, scoring the highest overall due to its adoption of ultra-low GWP refrigerants. It reports utilizing ultra-low GWP refrigeration systems at 497 locations, representing nearly 25% of its stores. ALDI also reports using ultra-low GWP refrigerants in all of its standalone equipment in stores, as well as in 100% of its distribution centers. ALDI is an EPA GreenChill partner, and it reports a 17.2% leak rate. ALDI could improve its score by setting a refrigerant leak reduction target.

Percentage change from 2020 score: +9%

Whole Foods reports that between 4-7% of its stores use ultra-low GWP refrigeration systems, and over 10% of its stores utilize some level of ultra-low GWP refrigerants in combination with HFCs. Over 50% of its standalone equipment across its stores uses ultra-low GWP. Whole Foods is an EPA GreenChill partner, but does not publicly disclose its annual average refrigerant leak rate. Publicly sharing its refrigerant leak rate and setting a time bound commitment to phase-out HFCs from all stores would further improve Whole Foods’ score.

Percentage change from 2020 score: +5%

Target has opened two stores using solely ultra-low GWP refrigerants and three with some ultra-low GWP. The company has stated it will scale CO2, an ultra-low GWP refrigerant, chain-wide by 2040. As of 2021, Target reports using “HFC-free refrigerants” in 57% of its stand-alone cases in stores, and uses ultra-low GWP systems in all of its distribution centers. Target is an EPA GreenChill partner, and discloses its annual average leak rate to be 13.3%. The company can improve its score by setting a refrigerant leak reduction target and accelerate the introduction of HFC-free systems in all new builds and store remodels.

Percentage change from 2020 score: +4%

Company did not respond to EIA’s scorecard request, details here.

Meijer has one of the highest scores in refrigerant management, but it has no stores using ultra-low GWP refrigerants in main systems. It uses ultra-low GWP refrigerants in all distribution centers and most standalone equipment. Meijer is an EPA GreenChill partner and has an average leak rate of 6% with a reduction goal. Committing to HFC-free systems in all new stores and remodels, and releasing a time-bound plan to transition all stores to ultra-low GWP refrigerants would improve Meijer’s score.

Percentage change from 2020 score: +20%

Most of Kroger’s distribution centers and <1% of its stores use entirely ultra-low GWP refrigerants. It has committed all new standalone equipment to use ultra-low GWP refrigerants. The company is an EPA GreenChill partner, and it publicly discloses its annual average refrigerant leak rate of 11.6%. Kroger can improve its score by producing a time-bound, detailed plan to phase out HFCs and commit for all its new stores and remodels to be HFC-free systems.

Percentage change from 2020 score: +19%

Three of Publix's store refrigeration systems are entirely ultra-low GWP, and an estimated 7% of its stores use some ultra-low GWP refrigerants. Publix already uses ultra-low GWP refrigerants in some of its standalone equipment, and has committed to use propane (3 GWP) in its self-contained cabinets in new stores and in replacement units of existing stores. All of its distribution centers use ultra-low GWP refrigerants. It’s an EPA GreenChill partner, but does not publicly disclose its average refrigerant leak rate. Publix has implemented a training program for its contractors and technicians to properly service their CO2 equipment - an oft-cited barrier to introducing HFC-free technology. Publix can improve its score by setting a time-bound commitment to phase out HFCs at all stores and publicly report on its leak rate.

Percentage change from 2020 score: +16%

Company did not respond to EIA’s scorecard request, details here.

Walmart has opened its first ultra-low GWP (CO₂) store in the US and has set a commitment to end its use of HFCs by 2040. However, the company’s current use of ultra-low GWP refrigeration systems remains very low at less than 1% for entirely ultra-low GWP refrigeration systems in stores, and roughly 4-7% using hybrid systems with some ultra-low GWP refrigerants. The company utilizes ultra-low GWP systems in all of its distribution centers. Walmart has engaged in policy advocacy for strong regulations on HFCs and has committed for all new construction to be ultra-low GWP where feasible. The company does not publicly disclose its average leak rate. Increasing its use of HFC-free technologies across stores, joining EPA’s GreenChill Partnership, and accelerating its timeline to phase out HFCs would improve scores.

Percentage change from 2020 score: +13%

Ahold Delhaize, with 5 US brands, utilizes ultra-low GWP refrigerants in less than 1% of its stores. It lacks a time bound, public commitment to end its use of HFCs across operations. The company reports that its brands use “lower GWP systems or where possible, natural refrigerants” in store remodels. All five of its brands are EPA GreenChill partners and the company publicly reports an average leak rate of 13%, however the company does not have a current public target to reduce its annual average leak rate. Ahold Delhaize could improve by setting a time bound commitment to transition all its stores to be HFC-free.

Percentage change from 2020 score: +2%

Costco reports 19 of its sites use entirely ultra-low GWP refrigerants, representing roughly 3% of its total locations. The majority of Costco’s distribution centers reportedly use ultra-low GWP cooling. In 2022, Costco committed to “accelerate the phase-out of HFCs” and increase its investment in refrigeration retrofits to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030. Costco does not participate in EPA’s GreenChill Partnership. Greater transparency about Costco’s annual leak rate and setting a time bound target to eliminate HFCs across operations would improve its score.

Percentage change from 2020 score: +17%

Company did not respond to EIA’s scorecard request, details here.

Giant Eagle reports 1% of stores using some ultra-low GWP refrigerants, but it has no stores using entirely ultra-low GWP refrigerants. It has retrofitted 4% of its stores to medium-GWP refrigerants. Most of its distribution centers use ultra-low GWP refrigerants. Giant Eagle is an EPA GreenChill partner and reports having stationary leak detection across locations and adhering to GreenChill’s Best Practices for leak management, but it does not publicly disclose its leak rate. Giant Eagle could improve its score by producing a time-bound, detailed plan for phasing out HFCs from all stores, and publicly reporting and setting a leak rate reduction target.

Percentage change from 2020 score: +17%

Albertsons, with its 23 brands, is a member of EPA’s GreenChill Partnership, yet the company does not report on its refrigerant management practices or leak rate. Ultra-low GWP refrigerants are used in <1% of its stores and in >50% of its distribution centers. Greater transparency about Albertsons’ annual average leak rate and setting a time-bound target to eliminate HFCs across stores would improve its score.

Percentage change from 2020 score: +1%

Company did not respond to EIA’s scorecard request, details here.

H-E-B reportedly uses entirely ultra-low GWP refrigerants in <1% of its stores. It uses ultra-low GWP refrigerants in 15 distribution centers, but does not have an HFC-free policy. H-E-B is an EPA GreenChill partner, however it does not publicly disclose its annual average refrigerant leak rate. There are no current publicly available commitments from the company on cutting its HFC emissions. H-E-B can improve its score by producing a time-bound, detailed plan for phasing out HFCs, and publicly reporting its leak rate and setting a reduction target.

Percentage change from 2020 score: +3%

Company did not respond to EIA’s scorecard request, details here.

Despite a 2016 EPA settlement in which Trader Joe’s violated the Clean Air Act by leaking ozone depleting substances, Trader Joe’s does not disclose its HFC emissions, nor does it report on progress on its refrigerant management or adoption of ultra-low GWP refrigerants. Based on submissions to EIA’s Climate-Friendly Supermarkets map, there is record of less than 2% of its stores having some ultra-low GWP refrigerants in use. Trader Joe’s does not participate in EPA’s GreenChill partnership, nor does it disclose its annual average leak rate. The company can improve its score by setting a time bound plan to end its use of HFCs across all stores, and following baseline best practices by disclosing its annual greenhouse gas emissions.

Percentage change from 2020 score: +10%

Company did not respond to EIA’s scorecard request, details here.

*Wakefern and its 5 brands have introduced ultra-low GWP refrigerants in <1% of its standalone equipment and reportedly use ultra-low GWP refrigerants in <1% of its stores. Wakefern does not disclose information on its refrigerant management and leak rate, nor transition goals for increasing HFC-free technology across its operations. The company could improve by releasing a time bound commitment to phase out HFCs and by joining EPA’s GreenChill Partnership for improved refrigerant management.

Percentage change from 2020 score: 0%

Company did not respond to EIA’s scorecard request, details here.

Wegmans has two stores reportedly using ultra-low GWP refrigerants. The company does not have a public target to end its use of HFCs, nor does it disclose its annual average refrigerant leak rate. Wegmans could improve its score by setting a time bound public commitment to implement HFC-free technology throughout its stores and by joining EPA’s GreenChill.

Percentage change from 2020 score: +1%

Company did not respond to EIA’s scorecard request, details here.

Southeastern Grocers, with its 4 banners, has yet to take any public steps to reduce HFC emissions, despite a 2019 EPA settlement for violating the Clean Air Act on refrigerant leaks. Based on publicly available information, the company has yet to install any ultra-low GWP refrigeration systems in stores. SEG can improve its score by disclosing its HFC emissions and leak rate and setting a time-bound commitment to transition to ultra-low GWP refrigerants in all stores.

Percentage change from 2020 score: -2%

Company did not respond to EIA’s scorecard request, details here.