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Canada's Planet Organic Harnessing Wind to Power IT

VICTORIA, B.C., Canada -- In an effort to ramp up its environmental efforts, Canadian natural and organic retailer Planet Organic Markets has decided to purchase wind power for all of its computers.

The retailer yesterday signed an agreement to buy electricity from the Pembina Institute, a nonprofit environmental organization that offers sustainable energy solutions. The bulk purchase for 24-megawatt hours of wind energy is equivalent to 24 tons of CO2 emissions, the equivalent of taking 20 average cars off the road for an entire year.

"We're committed to environment responsibility," said Diane Shaskin, v.p. of Planet Organic. "Wind power is a perfect way for many companies to reduce their impact on the earth."

Planet Organic spokeswoman Tiffany Auvinen told Progressive Grocer, "We have purchased wind-energy for 60 computers for our stores."

Planet Organic's EcoKarma Committee, composed of company employees, helped to source the Pembina Institute. "This was in keeping with our effort to support the company's motto of 'Good Food, Good for You, Good for the Earth,'" said committee chair, Pat Tufts, manager of Planet organic's Calgary, Alta. store.

In other Planet Organic environmental news, the company just signed an agreement with the Sierra Club. "Our partnership with the Sierra Club means that we're supporting them financially and creating events as well as promotions with the nonprofit environmental organization," explained Auvinen. "We will launch some new programs on Earth Day, April 22."


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