CINCINNATI, Aug. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co.
(NYSE: KR) today announced the company's Zero Hunger | Zero
Waste efforts reduced its supermarket food waste footprint –
the overall food waste it produced – by 9% in 2018, creating
measurable improvements in its retail operations and more
environmentally-conscious associates.
Kroger's progress was outlined in its 2019 Environmental, Social
and Governance (ESG) report, also released today. This is the
company's 13th annual report on its sustainability progress.
It is available online
at http://sustainability.kroger.com/.
"We know our customers, associates, stakeholders and investors
care deeply about people and our planet," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO, in
his letter to ESG stakeholders. "The world around us is changing
too — a warming climate, global population growth, loss of
biodiversity, water scarcity and more. These eco-realities affect
our collective ability to feed people today and in the future. They
are also the force behind Kroger's Zero Hunger | Zero Waste plan.
We know 40% of food produced in the U.S. is thrown out, yet one in
eight people in our country are food insecure — perhaps even
someone we know. Redirecting just one-third of the food wasted in
the U.S. every year would more than feed those struggling with
hunger."
Kroger's 2019 ESG Report Highlights
"Today doing the
right thing for society and being environmentally sustainable are
table stakes for corporations," said Jessica Adelman, Kroger's group vice president
of corporate affairs and chief social impact officer. "That's why
we're proud to go above and beyond with our Zero Hunger | Zero
Waste social impact plan. Our progress in each of the
environmental, social and governance aspects of sustainability are
a direct result of these innovative and intentional efforts."
Kroger's ESG report details progress in 2018 on
Kroger's Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social impact plan as
well as its 2020 Sustainability Goals.
Highlights include:
Environmental
- Reduced Food Waste Footprint 9%: Kroger's food
waste generated by retail stores decreased 9%, reducing both food
waste and the greenhouse gases resulting from it.
- Improved Food Waste Diversion 13%: Kroger achieved
a 13% improvement in supermarket food waste diverted from landfill,
moving from 27% diversion in 2017 to 40% in 2018.
- Achieved 2020 Electricity Savings Goal: Kroger
supermarkets have saved more than 2 billion kWh, placing the
company well ahead of its 40% electricity savings goal by
2020.
- Progress on Packaging and Plastics: Kroger reduced
the amount of plastic resin in Our Brands packaging by 9.1
million pounds so far – well on its way to reaching its
10-million-pound goal by 2020.
- Commenced Installation of Solar Panels at Paramount
Distribution Center: Kroger's 555,000-square-foot
facility to be powered by more than 7,000 solar panels, producing
50% of electricity for the automated distribution center in
Paramount, California.
Social
- Expanded Fresh Food Rescue: Kroger associates
rescued 10% more food from its stores, plants and distribution
centers – that means 100 million pounds of wholesome, nutritious
food went to feed food insecure families in America.
- Educating Zero Heroes of Tomorrow: The Kroger Co.
Foundation partnered with World Wildlife Fund to expand its "Food
Waste Warriors" educational program to nine U.S. cities – teaching
students and school staff about where food comes from and what
happens when it is thrown away.
- Feeding Futures: Through Feed Your Future, Kroger
associates can receive up to $3,500
annually (and up to $21,000 over the
course of their career) toward continuing education no matter what
stage they are in in their education journey.
- Supporting Communities: Kroger directed more than
$328 million in charitable
giving – in food and funds – to its communities in 2018. About
$192 million of this amount focused
on ending hunger.
Governance
- Supplier Inclusion: Kroger spent more than $2.6
billion with women- and
minority-owned businesses in 2018.
- Sourcing Sustainably: Kroger sourced 88% of
wild-caught fresh and frozen seafood in supermarket seafood
departments from certified sustainable sources. The company also
purchased more than 17 million pounds of Fair Trade-certified
ingredients for Our Brands products.
- New and Updated Sustainability Commitments: Kroger
also formalized and refined several key sustainability commitments
in this year's report, including:
-
- Pollinator Protection Statement
- Deforestation Statement
- Carbon Impact Reduction Statement
- Community Engagement Principles
- Responsible Marketing Statement
About Kroger:
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we
are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit®. We
are nearly half a million associates who serve over 11 million
customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and
2,761 retail food stores under a variety of banner names,
serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating
#ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us,
visit our newsroom and investor relations site.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kroger-reduced-food-waste-footprint-in-supermarkets-by-9-last-year-marking-another-measurable-action-to-create-a-more-sustainable-future-300900021.html
SOURCE The Kroger Co.