Launched in November 2007, the GreenChill has shown how EPA works with supermarkets to achieve environmental goals that also help the bottom line. Supermarket managers and employees want to do the right thing when it comes to the environment, and they know their customers are looking for responsible environmental stewardship. Factor in the cost savings and it’s easy to see why GreenChill has grown rapidly. The program now includes more than 6,500 stores in 47 states.
“This is the beginning of a partnership that is going to help us reduce significant amounts of ozone depleting refrigerant and other emissions, cut costs for supermarkets and consumers, and protect our health and the environment, “ said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “EPA will continue working to find a path forward that rewards the mutual interests of our supermarkets and the environmental health of the communities they serve.”
EPA officials estimate that if all US supermarkets reduced emissions to the current GreenChill average, the nation could save the equivalent of 22 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and 240 ozone-depleting potential tons each year, equal to the annual emissions from more than 4 million cars. This carries a cost savings of $108 million in refrigerant expenses annually.
To highlight the program’s top-performing participants, GreenChill recently implemented a Store Certification Awards Program. This component recognizes retail stores that achieve at least a 50% reduction in refrigerant charge and a 75% reduction in refrigerant emissions, resulting in either gold- or silver-level certification. To date, seven stores have been awarded GreenChill gold, and three stores have been awarded the silver. EPA will recognize top performers during the Food Marketing Institute’s 2009 Sustainability Summit in San Francisco from August 17 to August 19, 2009.
