EPA Honors Aldi For Reducing Refrigerant Emissions
Aldi has been recognized by the Environmental Protect Agency’s (EPA) GreenChill Store Certification Program for its efforts in reducing refrigerant emissions, the sixth consecutive year the grocer has received the honor.
The Batavia, Ill.-based company also secured more EPA certifications at the platinum level – the highest certification – than all participating U.S. grocery retailers for the third year in a row. Additionally, the EPA awarded 164 Aldi stores in 23 states with GreenChill Store Re-Certification Excellence, recognizing these locations for five consecutive years of platinum level certifications.
Through the GreenChill Program, food retailers such as Aldi maintain refrigerant emissions rates that are approximately half the industry average, resulting in a significant benefit to the environment.
Today, more than 700 Aldi stores nationwide use environmentally friendly refrigerants, helping the company save 60% of potential carbon emissions each year. The use of natural refrigerants plays a critical role in the retailers goal to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) emissions across its entire value chain by 2050 by reducing the amount of harmful industrial chemicals that are released into the atmosphere.
“Between our smaller store footprints, removal of plastic shopping bags at check out and natural refrigeration, Aldi makes thousands of intentional decisions to keep our environmental footprint low,” said Dan Gavin, vice president of national real estate at Aldi. “Natural refrigerants not only help us keep our products fresh but also reduce our impact on the planet. This latest recognition from the EPA further demonstrates how Aldi is working to make sustainability affordable and accessible for all."
An Aldi store in Decatur, Ga. received a five-year Store Re-Certification Excellence recognition from the EPA, demonstrating the company’s early commitment and adoption to natural refrigeration technology in the southern U.S. This is a significant achievement as the warm, humid climate has historically been challenging for Co2 refrigeration systems.
“Aldi should be very proud of their achievements over the last year,” said Bella Maranion, senior advisor in EPA's stratospheric protection division and member of the GreenChill team. “Aldi achieved more GreenChill Store Recertifications than any other retailer, with 164 stores reaching 5 years of certification. These stores are included among the 611 Aldi stores certified this year, displaying the retailer’s commitment to driving industry innovation.”
Additionally, Aldi also released its 2023 Sustainability Progress Report, sharing the progress made in five critical areas:
- Reducing Emissions: Aldi piloted the installation of multi deck unit doors on deli sections in 55 stores, which helped reduce energy usage by up to 25% in these stores and lower overall emissions. Stores also tested new technology to recover waste heat from other systems, like refrigeration units, and reuse the heat for HVAC equipment, further driving energy efficiency.
- Improving Packaging: In addition to eliminating plastic shopping bags at check out from all U.S. stores, Aldi identified several ways to improve its packaging across products. This includes using more post-consumer recycled content and recycled materials, transitioning to fiber-based recyclable alternatives and introducing new packaging formats that reduce plastic.
- Minimizing Waste: Aldi donated 39 million pounds of excess food, equivalent to 32.5 million meals, to Feeding America and other donation partners. Aldi also sent 2,013 tons of food to compost and anaerobic digestion facilities, a 22.4% increase year-over-year.
- Sourcing Products Responsibly: Aldi accelerated its timeline to eliminate deforestation in high-priority supply chains to help protect biodiversity and reduce global warming. Aldi also set a new goal to certify 100% of private-label coffee as responsibly sourced by the end of 2025.
- Supporting Communities: Aldi deepened its partnerships with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to support youth development and Hope Chicago to provide funding for Chicago’s only two-generation scholarship program. At the end of 2023, Aldi had contributed more than $6 million to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, more than 60% towards its goal to raise $10 million by 2027.
