Discount Supermarket Aldi Goes ‘All in’ for Sustainability

Without a doubt, sustainability is the buzzword of choice nowadays and smart businesses are jumping on the bandwagon in very serious ways.

According to the trade press, reduction of emissions and waste as well as responsible sourcing are leading these notable efforts.

Supermarket News reported last week that Aldi, the discount grocer with 2,000 locations across America and 57 in New Jersey, “has enacted a new sustainability charter to lower emission of greenhouse gases, cut food and operational waste, improve packaging and source responsibly — while maintaining accessible and affordable food and grocery options for customers — through 2030.”

That combination will be a win-win for consumers who have been demonstrating with their wallets their partiality for sustainability.

Aldi plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 26% by 2025 by continuing to transition to solar and wind energy sourcing and bolstering its renewable infrastructure to reduce reliance on gray power grids. The Batavia, IL, supermarket today has solar panels at 111 stores and 12 distribution centers across the country and aims to add solar energy to warehouses in Alabama and Kansas and to about 60 stores by the end of 2022.

The supermarket said it has been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency as a “green” power leader, and it now buys enough renewable energy each year to support its more than 2,000 stores in 37 states, 25 warehouses and offices. The power is being sourced via Green-e, and the company receives renewable energy certificates to validate its clean energy investment.

Also to help lower emissions, Aldi U.S. warehouses and almost 400 stores use natural refrigerants that reduce the environmental impact by up to 4,000 times versus common refrigerants. Plans call for a continued shift to natural refrigerants at all stores, the company said, adding that in 2020 it earned more EPA GreenChill store certifications than any supermarket chain previously, all at the platinum level.

Aldi US CEO Jason Hart observed in a statement on the new sustainability charter, “Aldi has a responsibility to protect the environment, and we know it’s an important priority for our customers. We are committed to evaluating and implementing sustainable business practices while always offering the highest-quality products at prices that can’t be beat.”

Indeed, not all grocers are as big as Aldi but certainly there are beneficial, proactive, sustainable business-building steps that smaller grocery chains can enact. They will benefit your community, customers, trading partners and your business.