MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu here said Thursday four Albertsons stores in the Seattle area have achieved a "zero waste" classification after diverting more than 90% of all waste away from landfills.
Supervalu said in June it was committed to moving 40 stores to zero waste operations by the end of the fiscal year on Feb. 25. In late 2010 Albertsons transitioned two stores in Santa Barbara, Calif., to zero waste operations by diverting over 95% of waste from landfills.
To achieve recognition as a zero waste location, a store must divert a minimum of 90% of all waste from landfills and set a goal to eventually reach 100% waste diversion.
The four Albertsons locations that have just achieved zero waste status are located in Woodinville, Wash., which diverted 95.16% of total waste by recycling 349,086 pounds of paper, cardbord, plastics and food waste; composting 187,200 pounds of culled produce, expired food and animal waste; and donating 72,261 pounds to food banks through the chain's Fresh Rescue program; Milton, Wash., which diverted 92.48% of its waste; Kirkland, Wash., which diverted 91.4% of waste; and Mountlake Terrace, which diverted 90.76% of waste.
"We are proud to not only offer our customers the products they want but also to do so in a sustainable way that can make them feel good about shopping with us," Mike Clawson, president of Albertsons' Intermountain West division, said.
