Tops Market announces green initiatives for 2022
To celebrate Earth Day, Tops Market has announced new sustainability initiatives to help take the company in a greener direction.
The grocery chain plans to add 14 new EV charging stations at its stores in 2022, increase its use of solar energy and convert a portion of its truck feet to clean burning natural gas from diesel fuel.
“Our ongoing commitment to sustainability is met with enthusiasm and resolve every day, as we work to ensure we leave our communities—and our planet—better for the next generation,” said John Persons, president of Tops Friendly Markets. “We are excited to be working with so many business partners whose values align with our environmental conservation vision.”
Based in Williamsville, NY, Tops Markets currently operates 150 grocery stores in New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, including five that are run by franchisees. The company recently announced the hiring of its new VP of merchandising, who will oversee the chain’s private brand selection.
Following the Tops’ first EV charging station at its LaGrangeville, NY store, Tops said it anticipates adding 14 new charging stations in 2022 in collaboration with Tesla and others. Additional electric vehicle charging stations are also currently available at Tops stores in Williamsville, Rhinebeck, and New Paltz, NY.
In 2022, Tops will continue to increase its use of solar energy by now partnering with EDP Renewables to provide solar power to even more of our stores. Together with Convergent Power + Energy and now EDP, 82 stores will have energy saving solar power. The partnership allows Tops stores to be powered by solar farms, which reduces the stores’ carbon footprint. The solar-plus-storage projects developed by Convergent provide Tops and upstate New Yorkers access to solar energy whether or not the sun is shining, and reduce the state’s reliance on power plants during peak demand hours.
Finally, Tops will be further enhancing its fleet of trucks by converting over to 48 new CNG trucks with impressive sustainability benefits. Fueled with clean burning natural gas, opposed to diesel fuel, these new trucks will eliminate 3,246 MT of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.