Cincinnati, OH—On July 7, The Kroger Co., released its Sustainability Goals, which outlined new and ongoing commitments to increase responsible sourcing and improve eco-stewardship by 2020.

Regarding supply chain, the supermarket giant, which operates 2,778 stores, new goal for sourcing is to expand their seafood commitment by sourcing 90% of its volume from fisheries that are Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified and 100% of its wild-caught seafood from fisheries that are either MSC certified, in comprehensive Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) or certified by other GSSI-recognized programs.

Additionally, the company also plans to:
  • Transition to a 100% cage-free egg supply chain
  • Partner with The Sustainability Consortium to assess key commodities and to further understand social and environmental risk
  • Have 100% of all dairy farms providing milk to Kroger manufacturing plants enrolled and in good standing in the National Daily Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (F.A.R.M) program.
In order to increase eco-stewardship, The Kroger Co., plans to meet and exceed EPA’s “Zero Waste” threshold of 90% diversion from landfills by focusing on food waste reduction, by recycling over 200 million more pounds of plastic, by recovering over 3.3 billion tons of cardboard, and have 50% of new stores and remodels stores to be zero waste. The supermarket chain also plans to optimize packaging in corporate brands. To do so, the company will reduce plastic resin by 10 million pounds increase certified virgin fiber sourcing from well-managed forest, and utilize at least 20% post-consumer recycled content.

Goals for reducing carbon include tracking the companies Ton Miles Per Gallon (TMPG), reducing refrigerant leaks by 9%, reducing cumulative energy consumption by 40% and reducing water consumption by 40%.

"Our goal is to be a positive force for change in our communities and to drive sustainability and innovation across the supply chain," said Rodney McMullen, chairman and CEO of Krogers, in a press release. "We believe that our 2020 goals set the course for this important, ongoing journey."

The Kroger Co., 2020 Sustainability Goalswas released following the company’s 10thannualSustainability Report.

"Our tenth annual sustainability report highlights our associates' commitment to make a difference for our communities, our planet and each other," said McMullen. "The report outlines Kroger's growing focus on responsible sourcing and our progress in the fight against hunger, reducing our carbon footprint and moving toward "zero waste" in our stores and facilities.”

Posted on WholeFoods Magazine Online, 7/13/2016