Safeway to Reduce Emissions
by Eric Kane, New York, NY on 09.29.06
Whether positive or negative, Whole Foods Market tends to attract a majority of the attention surrounding sustainability and food retailers. However, recent developments indicate that Safeway is looking to challenge Whole Foods’ position as industry leader. Earlier this week, the Fortune 50 company, announced its approval of California’s new state law that will require a 25% reduction in emissions by 2020. More importantly, Safeway introduced a series of progressive initiatives that will serve to reduce the company’s environmental footprint. The food and drug retailer will join the Chicago Climate Exchange, thereby committing to a 390,000-ton reduction in CO2 emissions from the base year 2000. The company will also purchase an additional 174,000 MWh of wind energy, making it California’s largest corporate buyer of wind energy. Finally, Safeway will introduce new technologies to reduce energy consumption at its stores, and implement a comprehensive recycling program capable of reducing waste by 500,000 tons annually. See also ::Safeway Introduces O Organics and ::Safeway To Use Renewable Energy
