Costco is our ethical grocer of the week. Costco has earned this title as they have consistently incorporated sustainable practices in key aspects of their business.
For starters, with 785 plus warehouses worldwide Costco has been committed to operating efficiently and in an environmentally responsible manner. Here is a list of some of their accomplishments.
- Costco warehouse designs are consistent with the requirements of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
- To utilize high percentages of recycled content Costco warehouses are built using prefabricated structural steel system that is comprised of 80% recycled content.
- Use of high-efficiency restroom fixtures which saves 40% more water.
- Use of the APANA program, which enables them to monitor real-time water use, detect inefficient consumption, and guide operators to quickly identify and reduce waste.
Additionally, Costco has strategically sourced their merchandise in a sustainable manner. Designed with water preservation, re-use, efficiency and treatment in mind Costco sells chicken and romaine lettuce produced in new vertically integrated facilities. At the romaine lettuce greenhouse, Costco anticipates that 80% less water will be used in comparison to conventional farming and that there will be 0% wastewater runoff.
Next, Costco uses Energy Management and Lighting Management Systems to control of heating and cooling set points, lighting schedules, and system troubleshooting. Also, Costco has 111 warehouses using solar power. With an estimated energy savings of over 235 million kWh per year, Costco has nearly completely converted to LED. In 2017, Costco began piloting the use of fuel cells as an alternative source for generating on-site electricity. Consequently, this has lowered demands on existing electric utility infrastructure. It has also lowered overall combined power and natural gas expenses.
To reduce the environmental impact of refrigerants, Costco has ceased using HCFC refrigerant in new and replacement refrigeration in commercial equipment and air conditioning systems.
Costco has continued to decrease the amount of its waste going to landfills. They currently have a global diversion rate increased to 73%. Their waste management diversion programs include donations, anaerobic digestion, recycling, composting, and animal feed and waste to energy programs.
In fiscal year 2019, Costco’s U.S. warehouses diverted over 58.4 million pounds of material from landfills by recycling organic waste into usable products, such as organic fertilizer, biofuels and electricity.
Overall, as one of the largest retailers in the world, Costco has impressively taken major steps toward being globally responsible. They’ve taken actions to reduce their carbon footprint, sourced merchandise responsibly, and have supported alternative opportunities such as carbon sequestration. We look forward to seeing what Costco continues to do as an exemplary ethical grocer.
What do you think about Costco, our ethical grocer of the week? Do you shop there? How has your experience been?
