Kroger has published its eighth annual sustainability report, setting its first-ever water conservation goal and providing a progress update on moving retail locations toward “zero waste” and sourcing 100 per cent certified sustainable palm oil.
The report states that the retailer it is committed to reducing water consumption in supermarket locations by 5 per cent in 2014, heralding its first public water conservation goal. In 2013, Kroger manufacturing plants reduced water usage by 61m gallons, which is equivalent to the yearly water usage of 1,455 American homes.
The company is also moving toward the Environmental Protection Agency’s Zero Waste threshold of 90 per cent, in all of its retail locations. To get there, the company said it would increase the diversion rate to 70 per cent for all stores by the end of 2015. Today, the company diverts 59 per cent of waste.
Kroger said it is committed to sourcing 100 per cent certified sustainable palm oil by the end of 2015, and has begun the transition to certified sustainable palm oil in three food production facilities that make products containing palm oil.
“We will achieve or exceed many of our 2015 goals and have begun the process of determining key 2020 goals in many areas. We intend to push for faster and more accelerated improvement across all areas of our business – including water conservation,” said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chief executive officer.
“Our annual sustainability report contains both quantifiable evidence of the progress we are making and also stories that illustrate and inspire. Mainly, however, this report is a celebration of the dedication of our associates who bring to life—through their everyday activities—our goals and ambitions to lessen our environmental impact, support the work of community organisations, and lead change in certain areas of our business and our industry.”
