Weis Markets cuts down refrigerant emissions
An innovative refrigerant system is one of key eco-friendly features of a new Weis Market.
The regional grocer’s new store in Randolph, N.J., store has received a platinum level GreenChill certification from the Environmental Protection Agency for reducing in-store refrigerant usage. It is Weis’ first location to utilize a transcritical CO2 refrigerant system.
The system helps the store avoid annual refrigerant emissions equivalent to an estimated 673 tons of carbon dioxide versus using traditional refrigerants, which have a significantly higher global warming potential. Weiss now has 11 GreenChill certified stores. (GreenChill is an EPA partnership with food retailers to reduce refrigerant emissions and decrease their impact on the ozone layer and climate change.)
“Over the past decade, we have steadily upgraded our in-store sustainability program which has helped us reduce our company’s overall carbon footprint by 20%,” said R. Kevin Small, VP, construction and store development, Weis Markets, which operates over 200 stores. “Working with GreenChill has been a key part of our program. This GreenChill certification also highlights the contributions of our store and development associates who help us implement and monitor our program to reduce refrigerant usage.”
The Randolph store’s other sustainable features include:
• demand response programs to reduce power load during peak days and the store’s load on the power grid;
• LED lighting which reduces energy usage and has lower maintenance costs;
• low-flow devices to support water conservation efforts;
• enclosed refrigeration cases to reduce energy use; and
• polished concrete floors, which do not require chemical cleaning solvents.
More information on Weis Markets’ sustainability program can be found in its report: Weis Sustainability 2017: Together We Make a Difference.
The regional grocer’s new store in Randolph, N.J., store has received a platinum level GreenChill certification from the Environmental Protection Agency for reducing in-store refrigerant usage. It is Weis’ first location to utilize a transcritical CO2 refrigerant system.
The system helps the store avoid annual refrigerant emissions equivalent to an estimated 673 tons of carbon dioxide versus using traditional refrigerants, which have a significantly higher global warming potential. Weiss now has 11 GreenChill certified stores. (GreenChill is an EPA partnership with food retailers to reduce refrigerant emissions and decrease their impact on the ozone layer and climate change.)
“Over the past decade, we have steadily upgraded our in-store sustainability program which has helped us reduce our company’s overall carbon footprint by 20%,” said R. Kevin Small, VP, construction and store development, Weis Markets, which operates over 200 stores. “Working with GreenChill has been a key part of our program. This GreenChill certification also highlights the contributions of our store and development associates who help us implement and monitor our program to reduce refrigerant usage.”
The Randolph store’s other sustainable features include:
• demand response programs to reduce power load during peak days and the store’s load on the power grid;
• LED lighting which reduces energy usage and has lower maintenance costs;
• low-flow devices to support water conservation efforts;
• enclosed refrigeration cases to reduce energy use; and
• polished concrete floors, which do not require chemical cleaning solvents.
More information on Weis Markets’ sustainability program can be found in its report: Weis Sustainability 2017: Together We Make a Difference.