Kroger highlights sustainable efforts in new report

CINCINNATI — Kroger has released its fifth annual sustainability report.

Some of the highlights noted in the report include:

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  Kroger stores reduced overall energy consumption by 30% since 2000;

  
  


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  Company-wide, including all facilities, Kroger has saved more than 2.2 billion kilowatt hours;

  
  


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  Kroger completed its first wind energy project. Two wind turbines installed at Turkey Hill Dairy in Lancaster, Pa., will supply 25% of the dairy's annual electricity needs;

  
  


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  Kroger's manufacturing plants reduced the amount of waste sent to landfills by 30% since 2009 — a 22 million lb. reduction. Kroger sold and provided customers with more than 5 million reusable bags, an average of 14,000 per day, and Kroger stores, plants and distribution centers recycled more than 1.2 billion lbs. of corrugated cardboard and paper;

  
  


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  In partnership with customers, Kroger recycled 26 million lbs. of plastic, a 180% increase in plastic recycling since 2007; and

  
  


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  Kroger's ongoing hunger relief efforts provided the equivalent of 125 million meals to local families in 2010.

  
  

"Kroger associates have worked hard to integrate sustainable practices into our everyday business operations. In 2010, Kroger stores saved enough energy to power the city of Fort Worth for a full year. We sent less waste to landfills, recycled more plastic and provided our customers with 5 million more reusable bags — all while Kroger transported and sold more products than ever before," said Rodney McMullen, president and COO of Kroger. "At Kroger, we are committed to making the world a better place. And we're just getting started."

Read the full report and learn more about Kroger's sustainability initiatives at the new website Kroger.com/Sustainability.