Meijer Hits Key Sustainability Goal Ahead of Schedule
Meijer’s goal of cutting carbon emissions by 50% by 2025 has been met ahead of schedule, the retailer said, noting it achieved a 57% reduction in 2023. The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based company said it had set its target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by half as compared to 2018 levels.
"At Meijer, we understand that to be a good company, we must be a good neighbor, and we achieve that by serving our communities in multiple ways, including protecting the planet," said Rick Keyes, president & CEO of Meijer. "Our commitment to reducing carbon emissions would not have been possible without the dedication of our team members, who remain committed to integrating sustainability efforts into our daily operations. Together, we are not only driving positive change within the company, but we're also setting an example for the industry, reinforcing that sustainable practices and business success go hand in hand."
To meet its sustainability goals, Meijer said it implemented multiple key actions that improved its operational efficiency and contributed to its carbon emissions reduction milestone. These include
• Renewable Energy Investments: Meijer has invested in virtual power purchase agreements with renewable solar and wind energy. This commitment to clean energy supports the environment and also aligns with the retailer's goal of fostering a sustainable future, company officials said.
• Energy Efficiency Prioritization: Meijer has converted lighting at its retail facilities to energy-efficient LED, activated advanced building controls for optimized energy management and continues to conduct building recommissioning to improve overall operational efficiency. The retailer has also prioritized lifecycle asset management to replace equipment with more efficient options and implements and tests new advanced technology, such as geothermal refrigeration.
• Refrigerant Management: For the past four years, Meijer has achieved the lowest corporate-wide refrigerant emissions rate among all EPA GreenChill Program partners nationwide.
"Achieving this carbon emissions reduction goal early shows our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship," said Erik Petrovskis, director of Environmental Compliance and Sustainability at Meijer. "It's important we build upon this accelerated progress so we continue improving our operational efficiency and conserve our world for generations to come."
