Meijer honored by EPA for low refrigerant leak rate

Meijer has won recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency for its effort to reduce refrigerant leakage.

The Midwest retailer was recognized by the EPA’s GreenChill Program for having the lowest corporate-wide refrigerant emissions rate out of all GreenChill Partners over the past year. Meijer has focused on reducing its refrigerant leak rate for at least 12 years and is now 18.2% below the industry average. Meijer has participated in the program since 2012 and has continually reduced refrigerant emissions across its 257 supercenters.

"Refrigeration plays a vital role in ensuring foods are stored at the proper temperature before they're purchased by our customers, but many people don't realize it makes an impact on the environment," said Vik Srinivasan, senior VP of properties and real estate. "Meijer is committed to lessening our carbon footprint, and this continued partnership with GreenChill helps us reach our environmental goals." 

In 2020, Meijer also earned the following awards:

• Superior Goal Achievement for reaching its refrigerant leak rate goal by installing leak detection systems, following robust maintenance policies and by proactively replacing end-of-life equipment at each of its stores. 
• Exceptional Goal Achievement for reaching its stretch emissions reduction goal. 
• Store Re-Certification Excellence for three stores in Detroit, Mich., Wauwatosa, Wis., and Mokena, Ill. achieving five consecutive years of GreenChill Store Certification.

EPA's GreenChill Program is a voluntary partnership with food retailers, refrigeration system manufacturers, and chemical manufacturers to reduce refrigerant emissions and decrease their impact on the ozone layer and climate change. GreenChill provides supermarkets and other industry stakeholders with information and assistance to transition to environmentally friendlier refrigerants, reduce the amount of refrigerant they use, eliminate refrigerant leaks, implement environmental best practices, and adopt green refrigeration technologies. There are nearly 13,000 GreenChill Partner stores nationwide.

Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based, family-operated retailer that operates 257 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.