Supermarket chain Kroger (KR) is making a big commitment to going green.
The retailer has published an outline detailing how it plans to become more sustainable by 2020. That involves increasing responsible sourcing in its supply chain as well as becoming more conscientious in its use and protection of the natural environment.
On the supply chain front, Kroger aims to ensure that 90% of all of its seafood comes from fisheries certified by the Marine Stewardship Council or other programs recognized by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative. Additionally, the store aims to source 100% of its wild-caught seafood from MSC-certified fisheries. Currently, Kroger’s numbers stand at about 59% for total seafood volume and 83% for wild species.
As for its impact on the natural environment, Kroger wants to meet the EPA’s “zero waste” threshold of 90% diversion from landfills. The retailer also plans to optimize its packaging to make it more sustainable. In order to do so, it will source materials responsibly, increase the recyclability of its packaging, use at least 20% recycled content to manufacture its packaging, and reduce the amount of plastic resin used by 10 million pounds.
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Other goals include reducing water consumption by 5%, reducing refrigerant leaks by 9%, improving transportation efficiency by 20%, and ultimately reducing its cumulative energy consumption by 40%. Kroger is also joining numerous other retailers in committing to 100% cage free eggs by 2025, a promise that has recently been made by Walmart (WMT), PepsiCo (PEP), and even Walt Disney Parks.
“Our goal is to be a positive force for change in our communities and to drive sustainability and innovation across the supply chain,” Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen said in the company’s press release. “We believe that our 2020 goals set the course for this important, ongoing journey.”
Kroger’s sustainability plan will cover all its chains, which include its namesake stores, Ralph’s, Dillon’s, and Mariano’s among others.
