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Meijer to halve carbon emissions by 2025

Effort puts supercenter chain ahead of science-based targets to slow global warming

Russell Redman

January 19, 2022

2 Min Read
Meijer-carbon_emissions_reduction-Jan2022.jpg
Meijer's push to shrink its carbon footprint includes cutting refrigerant emissions at all of its supercenters under the EPA’s GreenChill Program.Meijer

Supercenter retailer Meijer is targeting a 50% cut in absolute carbon emissions by 2025.

In announcing the plan Tuesday, Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Meijer said it will meet the commitment by building on current energy and truck fleet efficiency programs. That includes more renewable energy procurement and pilots of new technologies, such as energy-saving geothermal projects for refrigeration next year.

Meijer reported that it has reduced emissions by 17% since 2014, a cutback equal to a 30% decrease in the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per square foot. The reduction came even with the opening of 52 new stores and new distribution facilities, the company said.

“At Meijer, we believe in taking responsibility for the well-being of the world around us,” Meijer President and CEO Rick Keyes said in a statement. “We are reducing carbon emissions not only because it makes good business sense, but because it aligns with our values and mission of enriching lives in the communities we serve.”

Meijer noted that it aims to be a leader in carbon management by cutting emissions faster than scientific guidelines for combatting global warming. Citing a recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the retailer said that greenhouse gas emissions would need to be cut in half by 2030 to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Related:Meijer partners with Dow to recycle plastic bags into parking-lot pavement

“Meijer has a longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship that leads back decades to when Fred Meijer spoke at the first Earth Day celebration in Grand Rapids in 1970,” according to Vik Srinivasan, senior vice president of properties and real estate at Meijer. “We strive to be a good neighbor, which isn’t just about serving our communities today. It’s also about protecting our planet for tomorrow, and that’s more important than ever.”

In 2020, for the third straight year, Meijer was recognized as a SmartWay Excellence Award winner as a mixed carrier by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The chain said it also has been recognized for reducing refrigerant emissions at all of its supercenters under the EPA’s GreenChill Program, earning multiple GreenChill Superior Achievement awards for reaching its refrigerant leak rate goal by installing leak detection systems, following strict maintenance policies and replacing end-of-life equipment.

Meijer, too, has focused on constructing environmentally responsible buildings. The company said it uses the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard as a guide to building efficient stores. Overall, the retailer operates 258 supercenters and grocery stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.

Related:Ahold Delhaize eyes expedited net-zero target

“Lessening our impact on the environment through a continued commitment in reducing carbon emissions is an issue that is important to us and our customers,” commented Erik Petrovskis, director of environmental compliance and sustainability at Meijer. “We’ve made significant progress over the years, but we look forward to continuing to do what is right for the world we live in.”

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About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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