Albertsons Cos. shows off sustainability practices at distribution center

Albertsons Cos. is showing off its sustainability efforts at a newly remodeled 1 million-square-foot distribution facility in Gresham, Ore.

According to Pamplin Media Group, the company recently gave tours of its sustainable distribution center in Gresham during a monthly gathering of business owners and community members last week, to highlight its different sustainable practices. The facility has implemented energy efficiency upgrades, stormwater pollution prevention and comprehensive recycling and composting programs.

All the lights in the sprawling warehouse have been upgraded to LED and are equipped with motion-sensors, so the facility isn't wasting resources. The company tries to avoid as much waste as possible, Woods said. The process in the grocery stores is to first mark items down, then offer them to local nonprofit organizations to feed the hungry.

According to the article, one of the newest innovations in the facility, and a favorite among the employees, are robotic plastic wrappers, which were introduced to the facility this year. The autonomous robots are able to drive themselves to a pallet filled with goods and shrink wrap it. The process takes up less space than the old machinery and is safer for the workers in case products topple during the process. Safeway-Albertsons officials said its Gresham facility is one of the first places to use the technology.

To read the Pamplin Media article, click here.