Ahold USA Attains 1B Bag Reduction Goal

Ahold USA’s retail divisions achieved this past summer a 1 billion bag reduction goal set in 2011.

“Our retail divisions each set a goal to achieve zero waste by 2020 through diverting 90 percent or more of their total waste from landfills,” said Marissa Nelson, SVP of responsible retailing and healthy living at Carlisle, Pa.-based Ahold USA. “The billion-bag reduction is an important component of our businesses’ overall sustainable retailing efforts and their work to help customers save money, save time and eat well. With associates and customers using fewer grocery bags, fewer will end up in our landfills or littering our communities.”

Over the past five years, the retail divisions have encouraged customers to bring reusable bags on shopping trips and have had cashiers and baggers reduce the number of plastic and paper bags used by ensuring they’re properly filled and avoiding the unnecessary use of extra bags.

Among Ahold USA’s other sustainable retailing efforts are programs addressing food waste, including the donation of products to local and regional food banks; investment in a green energy facility; the installation of solar panels, energy-efficient refrigeration units; and the expansion of cardboard recycling at its stores.

A company of Ahold Delhaize, Ahold USA consists of four regional Divisions – Stop & Shop New England, Stop & Shop New York Metro, Giant Landover, and Giant Carlisle – that collectively operate about 780 supermarkets with 115,000 associates in 14 states and the District of Columbia, along with e-grocer Peapod.