New England grocer Hannaford Supermarkets aims to power its operations completely by renewable energy by 2024. Scarborough, Maine-based Hannaford said that, to cut energy consumption and improve the way it currently use energy, the chain has implemented energy-efficiency projects such as LED lights, night shades, doors on cases and modern refrigeration systems, as well as rooftop solar panels on 10 of its stores.

Ahold Delhaize USA, ExxonMobil and packaging specialist Sealed Air (SEE) have partnered on what they call a first-of-its-kind plastic food package recycling initiative in the United States. Under the project, flexible plastics from the food supply chain will be recycled and remade into new, certified circular food-grade packaging, Charlotte, N.C.-based Sealed Air said. Plans call for the effort to start this summer and scale up over time.

With Its 500,000-square-foot distribution center in its headquarters of Pembroke, N.H., now home to the largest rooftop solar installation in the state, regional grocery wholesaler and distributor Associated Grocers of New England (AGNE) is ramping up its commitment to improving the sustainability of its business.

The 1MW SolarEdge DC-optimized array is forecast to offset approximately 20% of the building’s annual energy consumption, contributing to a ROI of less than nine years, and will reduce carbon emissions by approximately 1,100 tons per year.

Southeastern Grocers (SEG) plans to shift to more sustainable packaging across its own-brand portfolio by the end of 2028. Jacksonville, Fla.-based SEG said late yesterday that it will “overhaul” its private-label packaging by phasing out the use of polystyrene and making all packaging reusable, recyclable or industrially compostable. All private-brand packaging from the retailer — whose supermarket banners include Winn-Dixie, Harveys Supermarket and Fresco y Más — also will include an average of 30% post-consumer recycled material.

Seattle-based grocer Town & Country Markets is partnering with local adventure travel company PacWesty to offer its online shoppers an all-electric, zero-emissions grocery delivery service. In an innovative twist, PacWesty, which provides recreational vehicles for nature travel in the Pacific Northwest, pivoted during the pandemic to support the growing need of at-home delivery of products and services.

Loblaw Cos., Canada’s largest food and drug retailer, aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040. Brampton, Ontario-based Loblaw announced the plan as part of several initiatives addressing climate change. The company noted that a target set in 2016 to cut corporate carbon emissions 30% by 2030 was met in 2020, driven by advancements in energy management, equipment conversions and addressing refrigerant leaks.

Two of the nation’s leading retailers — Amazon and Target Corp. — announced that they are seeking net zero certification from the International Living Future Institute for two of their store locations as they continue to take steps to meet their sustainability goals.

As a leading natural, organic, specialty and fresh food distributor, KeHE Distributors announced its commitment to a sustainable future during the Climate Day discussion at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, and launched its new supplier initiative, the KeHE ECOtrade program.

“KeHE recognizes its stewardship role of caring for the planet and making meaningful progress towards climate action in transportation, energy, waste and refrigerants,” the company said.

Walmart said it has become Canada’s first major retailer to offer carbon-neutral last-mile delivery for e-commerce purchases, including online grocery. Plans call for the Walmart-funded program to offset about 25,000 tons of Scope 3 carbon dioxide emissions — the equivalent of taking over 5,000 cars off the road — in its first year, according to Mississauga, Ontario-based Walmart Canada. To that end, Walmart has engaged sustainability technology firm EcoCart to calculate and validate the emissions created from online orders sold and shipped by the retailer and to buy carbon-offset credits from sustainability projects in the exact dollar amount required to reduce or avoid those emissions.

Albertsons Cos. has embarked on a new corporate sustainability and responsibility strategy with the launch of an environmental, social and governance (ESG) framework dubbed “Recipe for Change.”

Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons said that the Recipe for Change plan sets long-term goals and strategies focused on maximizing the company’s impact across four “pillars” designated as “Planet, People, Product and Community.”

Sam’s Club aims to transform its Member’s Mark private label into a more sustainable brand. Bentonville, Ark.-based Sam’s unveiled a new identity for Member’s Mark, including a new logo and the tagline, “Made with Our Members and Planet in Mind.” In repositioning the label, the warehouse club chain said the product line — spanning the grocery, health and wellness, baby, apparel, home goods, furniture, office and technology categories — now aspires “to be of the highest quality while featuring trend-right innovation and a focus on people and the planet.”

E-grocer Farmstead is doing its part to cut down on food waste with a new feature for its delivery orders dubbed “Eat This First.” Burlingame, Calif.-based Farmstead said that its email receipts have been updated with “Eat This First” sections to alert customers when it makes sense to consume particular products sooner than later, helping them avoid having to discard food at home food. For example, the retailer said, receipt might remind a customer to eat the fresh salmon or chicken in their order first.