Aldi is ‘Best of the Best’ in EPA’s eyes

The intangible store brands might not appeal to the senses like a package of private label pulled pork, but they can be just as important to a retailer’s reputation and help attract loyal customers.

This week, Batavia, Ill.-based Aldi made news for receiving the 2016-2017 “Best of the Best” award from the Environmental Protection Agency's GreenChill Partnership for its use of leading-edge, environmentally sustainable refrigeration systems in 34 of its stores. GreenChill works with food retailers to reduce refrigerant emissions and decrease their impact on the ozone layer and climate change. This is something Aldi can promote with its customers to show that it is an eco-minded retailer — something today’s consumers are looking for more and more in the grocery retailers they shop. Aldi features a 90 percent assortment of tangible private brands in its stores, but it realizes the importance of being positively perceived for its environmental efforts, not to mention for just doing the right thing.

"Aldi is taking steps to reduce its environmental impact not only because our customers expect it, but because it is the right thing to do as a business,” said Aaron Sumida, a vice president at Aldi. “Partnerships like the one we share with GreenChill are critically important, as they enable us to work toward our goal of sustainable business operations. In switching to more environmentally friendly coolants, we strive to minimize the environmental impact of our refrigeration systems. This recognition from the GreenChill Partnership is a testament to our commitment."

As part of its capital investment of $5 billion in new and remodeled stores over the next five years, Aldi said it is increasing its environmentally friendly features in stores. New and remodeled stores feature environmentally friendly building materials and energy-saving LED lighting.

“Aldi deserves recognition for embracing GreenChill's environmental protection goals through its platinum-level certification of so many stores," said Tom Land, manager of EPA's GreenChill program. "Aldi is showing industry leadership through active participation in the GreenChill partnership and through certification of innovative refrigeration systems."

Aldi said the partnership with GreenChill is just one way that it is working to reduce its impact on the environment. Last year, Aldi said it increased the number of stores with rooftop solar panels by more than 45 percent and will continue to grow its solar portfolio and use of green electricity. Additionally, Aldi has recycled nearly 100 percent of the cardboard, paper, plastic film and foil that it uses in its warehouses since 2012.

A lot of people believe Aldi is the best retailer in the land. An intangible store brand can go a long way in getting people to believe that.