Environment -- Supporting Renewal

For decades, the ShopRite family has been concerned about the environment and conserving natural resources. Our stores have implemented policies, procedures and initiatives to reduce our environmental impact -- from the installation of solar panels on the roofs of the ShopRites of Wharton and Garwood, N.J., to extensive recycling and composting efforts to the “GREEN” technologies such as super-efficient refrigeration systems and energy-saving lighting systems in many of our stores.

In addition to our in-store programs, our participation in local environmental initiatives gives us a chance to do even more for the world around us. These sustainability efforts allow us to work side-by-side with other community members looking to make a difference.

Photo (above, right): Solar panels on the roof of the ShopRite of Wharton, N.J.

ShopRite And The Environment

ShopRite has been active in environmental initiatives for more than three decades – long before it became fashionable to do so.

Bag Re-Use Program ~ In 1992, ShopRite implemented a bag re-use program. One of the first of its kind in the Northeast, customers who re-use their plastic, paper or any other re-usable shopping bag are rebated $.02 per bag off of their shopping order and as of May 2008, those customers that choose to use a non-disposable bag are rebated $.05 per bag off their shopping order. In 2008 more than 22 million bags were reused by ShopRite customers and in 2009 that number more than doubled to 47 million, saving our customers over $2.2 million off their grocery bill. That means in the last two years ShopRite customers have kept 70 million bags out of landfills while fewer resources were needed to create new bags. For more information on our bag re-use program,
click here.

Recycling Center ~ ShopRite is also active in keeping other materials out of the waste stream. Since 1977, ShopRite has operated its own recycling center in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The facility, which operates 16 hours a day, six days a week, recycles plastic bags, shrink wrap and corrugated card board. In 2009, ShopRite recycled 104,000 tons of cardboard, 2,398 tons of plastic film and bags, 788 tons of newspaper, 389 tons of office paper, 107 tons of metal and 1,696 tons of waxed corrugated cardboard. In 2006, ShopRite expanded its recycling program to include white stock pill bottles from its pharmacy department while in 2009 the program was expanded to include wire bound wooden crates and fluorescent light bulbs.

ShopRite Earth News ~ To help educate its customers and communities, ShopRite publishes an environmental newsletter called ShopRite Earth News. Since 2000, this award-winning publication helps inform ShopRite customers on how they can become more “green” through reducing their own energy use, composting at home to reduce waste and other ways they can help reduce their impact on the environment. Click here to check out the newest edition.

ShopRite Earth Day Challenge ~ Each year, ShopRite conducts its own “ShopRite Earth Day Challenge.” This annual event challenges volunteers to beautify their communities by cleaning up litter from local parks and beaches and planting flowers. In the state of Connecticut alone, 6,000 volunteers gathered to clean up more than 15 communities across the state, wearing gloves and using trash bags donated by ShopRite.

In addition to those steadfast programs, in April of 2008, the ShopRite of Marlton, New Jersey received the EPA’s prestigious Energy Star Rating for reducing its energy consumption by 35 percent, while in October 2008 the ShopRite of Wharton, New Jersey installed an unprecedented 358 kilowatt solar system- making it the largest solar installation for a supermarket in the state. In 2009 the ShopRite of Garwood, New Jersey followed suit by installing 1, 024 solar panels to power the store’s refrigeration and lighting.

Community Sponsorships ~ For many years, Wakefern and ShopRite stores have provided funding, materials and food to community-based groups making a difference. From litter abatement, coastal clean-ups, tree-plantings to threatened and endangered wildlife preservation efforts, Wakefern/ShopRite has assisted!