Wegmans, Albertsons both named EPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named both Rochester, N.Y.-based Wegmans Food Markets and Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. 2017 Safer Choice Partner of the Year in the Retailer category.

“Safer Choice applauds Wegmans for its exceptional commitment to transition all Wegmans-brand household cleaning products, laundry detergents and dish detergents where science allows to Safer Choice-certified formulas,” the EPA stated in its announcement of this year’s winners.

The EPA also commended Wegmans for its prominent use of the Safer Choice label and for fostering awareness of the program through direct mail advertisements, employee education and in-store displays.

Albertsons, which received the honor last year as well, recently reached more than 400,000 people by sharing a Safer Choice video and 500,000-plus people by sharing Partner of the Year posts on Facebook, the EPA noted. “Safer Choice commends Albertsons Cos. for its use of social media to promote the program and its continued efforts to expand its offering of Safer Choice-certified products to consumers,” the announcement stated.

Several items in Albertsons’ Bright Green line of earth-friendlier household products qualify for the Safer Choice label, said the company in a press release.

“We’re committed to our partnership with the EPA on this important initiative to ensure the safety and sustainability of the products that people use in their homes each day,” said Jonathan Mayes, Albertsons’ senior vice president of external affairs and chief diversity officer, in a statement.