Albertsons Companies Celebrates Earth Day by Reducing Plastic Waste

This year, Earth Day is focused on plastic pollution and the lasting effects on our planet. There’s growing concern that plastic, in addition to littering our beaches and clogging our waste streams, is threatening marine wildlife and may end up in our food. Plastic pollution can come from a variety of sources, including clear film in plastic bags or product packaging. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a floating island of plastic waste between Hawaii and California, is now twice the size of Texas because of the increasing amount of plastic waste! While fishing nets make up half of the plastic waste in the Patch, plastic debris such as water bottles, straws, wrappers and smaller fragments of plastic packaging, also account for a significant portion.

How Are We Helping?
Albertsons is committed to reducing plastic waste on Earth Day and every day by reducing, reusing and recycling plastic in our facilities. In 2017, our family of stores recycled nearly 24 million pounds of plastic film from stores and distribution centers. Our partners at Trex Company, Inc., a manufacturer of composite lumber that is commonly used for decking, railings and other commercial purposes, have helped us take plastic recycling a step further. Trex products use recycled plastic film and approximately 1,000 pounds of plastic bags in just one 500-square foot composite deck. Last year alone, the plastic we recycled helped create more than 11,000 composite decks, which is the equivalent weight of more than 3,300 elephants!

The reusable shopping bags in our stores are also made of post-consumer resin, reducing the amount of plastic going to the landfill. The bags are printed with water-based inks and without heavy metals, utilizing energy efficient and clean product processes. 

We are also working towards zero waste across all our manufacturing operations. Our manufacturing facilities have committed to zero waste by 2022. In 2016, 11 of our 18 facilities were zero waste having achieved over 90% diversion from landfill.

How Can You Help?
We can all make a difference in reducing plastic pollution by being mindful of our consumption and by reusing or recycling plastic whenever possible. So how can you help? Take your own reusable bags grocery shopping, opt for reusable coffee cups or water bottles, reuse straws and look for alternatives that reduce single-use plastic. You can also return plastic bags or clear film at select Albertsons stores.

Together, let’s celebrate Earth Day today and every day!