Albertsons Honored by EPA for Waste Reduction Efforts
BOISE, Idaho - Albertsons was honored on Thursday at the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2003 Awards and Recognition Ceremony in Washington, D.C.
The awards were presented by WasteWise, a voluntary EPA program through which organizations eliminate costly municipal solid waste, benefiting both their bottom lines and the environment. Each year, WasteWise announces the winners of its competition among companies that made noteworthy accomplishments in waste prevention, recycling collection, and buying or manufacturing recycled-content products.
Albertsons was one of only four companies in the very large company category awarded honorable mentions in this year's competition for 2002 waste reduction results, and was the only grocery or drugstore company to receive recognition. The other receiving honorable mentions in the category were Target, Walt Disney and Verizon. Program champion in the category was Anheuser-Busch, a business partner of Albertsons.
"Solid waste reduction not only helps to safeguard the environment, but it makes good business sense by reducing waste disposal costs and generating revenue for some of our recycled products," said Barb Russell, director of environmental affairs at Albertsons. "We consider waste reduction to be one of our most important corporate environmental stewardship responsibilities in the communities we serve."
During 2002, Albertsons diverted more than 342,000 tons of material for reuse or recycling, including cardboard, plastics, metal, paper, glass, food, used fryer oil, fluorescent light bulbs and many other items. In addition, the company continued its efforts in the development of recyclable alternatives for food product shipments traditionally packaged in polystyrene or wax-coated containers.
The awards were presented by WasteWise, a voluntary EPA program through which organizations eliminate costly municipal solid waste, benefiting both their bottom lines and the environment. Each year, WasteWise announces the winners of its competition among companies that made noteworthy accomplishments in waste prevention, recycling collection, and buying or manufacturing recycled-content products.
Albertsons was one of only four companies in the very large company category awarded honorable mentions in this year's competition for 2002 waste reduction results, and was the only grocery or drugstore company to receive recognition. The other receiving honorable mentions in the category were Target, Walt Disney and Verizon. Program champion in the category was Anheuser-Busch, a business partner of Albertsons.
"Solid waste reduction not only helps to safeguard the environment, but it makes good business sense by reducing waste disposal costs and generating revenue for some of our recycled products," said Barb Russell, director of environmental affairs at Albertsons. "We consider waste reduction to be one of our most important corporate environmental stewardship responsibilities in the communities we serve."
During 2002, Albertsons diverted more than 342,000 tons of material for reuse or recycling, including cardboard, plastics, metal, paper, glass, food, used fryer oil, fluorescent light bulbs and many other items. In addition, the company continued its efforts in the development of recyclable alternatives for food product shipments traditionally packaged in polystyrene or wax-coated containers.