BATAVIA, IL - With many retailers renewing their commitment to creating a more environmentally-conscious future, Aldi’s pledge to reduce its environmental impact and increase sustainability has made waves, leading the company to win the 2020 Green Power Leadership award and a 2019 GreenChill Store Certification. In addition, the retailer also received a Re-Certification Excellence Award from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) commending its efforts to ensure sustainability.

"We are proud to receive these honorable recognitions from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency," said Aaron Sumida, Vice President, Aldi. "As one of America's largest retailers, it's important for Aldi to prioritize our adoption of green power usage across our operations, showing others that it's an affordable, accessible choice that can help reduce air pollution and other emissions. We look forward to continuing our sustainability journey by taking intentional and strategic steps to make our stores and warehouses more environmentally friendly."

Aldi has proven its commitment by currently purchasing over 980 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually, enough green power to meet over 100 percent of the company’s electricity use, according to a press release. This represents just one of the reasons why the retailer was one of only four organizations across the nation to receive an Excellence in Green Power Use Award.

The Green Power Leadership Awards are part of the EPA’s Green Power Partner recognition program that honors leading green power users in the U.S. Currently, Aldi ranks number 16 on the EPA’s National Top 100 list of participating companies, number 3 on its Top 30 Retail list, and number 15 on its Top 30 On-site renewables list.

"Aldi has prioritized its people, its communities, and the environment since day one. We are dedicated to reducing our overall environmental impact. From recycling and using solar power to building environmentally friendly warehouses and stores, Aldi is committed to being a more sustainable business," Sumida added.

In addition to its Green Power Leadership Award, Aldi also received an EPA GreenChill Certification for its shift to environmentally friendlier refrigerants that help reduce harmful emissions. The retailer has earned a Store Certification Excellence award for having the most GreenChill certifcations in the past year with over 300 stores across the country.

"For the second year in a row, Aldi has demonstrated their exceptional leadership in food retail refrigerant management," said Kirsten Cappel, GreenChill Program Manager. "In this annual recognition cycle, Aldi certified 331 stores all at the Platinum level—the highest possible certification. This achievement exemplifies the Aldi commitment to sustainable refrigeration management and the use of advanced refrigeration technologies that are better for the environment."

As part of a $5 billion investment in new and remodeled stores across the country, Aldi will continue to implement new features that will improve the retailer’s mission to lower its environmental impact.

What other developments are in store for the retailer, and how will Aldi apply its sustainability process to fresh produce aisles? Keep reading ANUK for the answers.

Aldi