Weis Markets, Sunbury, Pa., has issued its first corporate sustainability report, outlining the various initiatives the company has enacted to lessen its impact on the environment. The report highlights the company’s ongoing goals for “a greener tomorrow” and also shares a five-year snapshot of collected data, including a 15.5% reduction in carbon emissions despite the company expanding store operations.

“We have always been a responsible and earth-conscious company,” David J. Hepfinger, president and chief executive officer of Weis Markets, said in a statement. “But over the past five years, we have significantly upgraded our sustainability program. With the wheels firmly in motion, we are now seeing strong sustainability results and wanted to share these successes with our valued customers, associates and shareholders.”

Weis says it saved $2.7 million in 2012 by cutting electricity usage and another $1.8 million in landfill fees, recycling more than 65 million lb. of waste. It also opened its first LEED-registered store in Fogelsville, Pa., introduced 100%-recyclable meat trays for select Weis fresh meat products and expanded its closed-loop composting program to 30 of its stores.

Source: www.supermarketnews.com