Shaw's gets supermarket recycling program certification

MASSACHUSETTS (Scrap Monster): Shaw’s Supermarkets, part of the nationwide SUPERVALU family of grocery stores in Massachusetts has received Supermarket Recycling Program Certification (SRPC) from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).

The certification signifies Shaw’s demonstrated maintenance of its comprehensive recycling and reuse programs for cardboard, organic materials, and shrink and plastic wrap.

“Shaw’s is committed to leading the way on environmental sustainability and we continue to work diligently to expand the comprehensive recycling programs at all of our stores,” said Mike Stigers, president, Shaw’s. “While receiving this certification from the MassDEP is testament to our commitment, it also encourages us to work even harder toward keeping waste out of our landfills. At Shaw’s, we recognize that by helping our environment and the communities we serve, we can improve the overall success of our business.”

The SRPC program was established through a partnership between the MassDEP and the Massachusetts Food Association to encourage supermarkets to recycle and reuse organics and other materials. With the certification, all waste loads from Shaw’s Massachusetts supermarkets are now exempt from routine comprehensive inspections at solid waste disposal and transfer facilities for the presence of recyclables that are banned from disposal at Massachusetts’ disposal facilities.

“Supermarkets generate large volumes of organics and, combined with recycling programs for cardboard and shrink wrap, can recycle more than 70 percent of the waste they generate,” said MassDEP Commissioner Kenneth Kimmell. “Shaw’s recognizes that not only can they protect the environment through aggressive recycling, they can also save money and be a leader in their community.”

Stigers was presented with a certificate by Commissioner Kimmell during a ceremony at the company’s Star Market in Chestnut Hill on June 2. The Chestnut Hill Star was the first grocery store in the nation to receive the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s GreenChill Partnership platinum store award. The SPRC is a two-year certification.

Shaw’s, Osco and Star Market are part of the nationwide SUPERVALU® INC. (NYSE: SVU) family of grocery stores. Shaw’s is one of the oldest continuously operated supermarkets in the United States with its roots dating to 1860. Throughout five New England states, there are 169 store locations employing approximately 21,000 associates

SUPERVALU INC. is one of the largest companies in the U.S. grocery channel with annual sales of approximately $38 billion. SUPERVALU serves customers across the United States through a network of approximately 4,294 stores composed of 1,114 traditional retail stores, including 805 in-store pharmacies; 1,280 hard-discount stores, of which 899 are operated by licensee owners; and 1,900 independent stores serviced primarily by the company's traditional food distribution business. SUPERVALU has approximately 140,000 employees.