Sustainability
Operational Excellence is a Core Capability of SpartanNash, and we are dedicated to optimizing our operations to minimize adverse environmental impact across our retail stores, distribution centers (DCs), service centers and transportation fleet.
The Company’s sustainability efforts have been focused primarily on:
- Optimizing our network to reduce mileage and Scope 1 emissions
- Converting freon-based refrigerants to modernized, low ozone-depleting freon-types in distribution centers, retail refrigerated display cases/air conditioning, and fleet trailer refrigerated units
- Converting our battery chargers and material-handling equipment to more modern, energy-efficient technologies to reduce use of electricity
- Converting our retail and distribution center assets to use LED lighting to reduce electricity, a journey that is approximately 87% complete
- Reducing grid dependence by increasing our use of renewable energy
- Reducing our contributions to landfills by increasing our diligence on promotions at retail, reclaim/salvage processes at distribution centers, and diversion to incineration and/or digestors when it makes sense
- Increasing our use of recycled/non-virgin materials in our packaging, converting plastic to paper packaging where feasible, and continuing to increase our recycling of plastic, cardboard and wood in stores and distribution centers
- Implementing water conservation and reduction initiatives at our distribution centers and retail stores, along with usage and reduction projects at these locations
- Initiating partial inventories of Scope 3 emissions
2024 Emissions Data
| SCOPE 1 & 2 EMISSIONSd | MT CO2e |
|---|---|
|
SCOPE 1a |
225,478 |
|
Stationary (fuel oil, natural gas) |
33,706 |
|
Mobile (fleet fuelb) |
94,357 |
|
Fugitive (air conditioning and refrigerants) |
97,415 |
|
SCOPE 2c |
185,163 |
|
Total Scope 1 and 2 |
410,641 |
- Scope 1 emissions were calculated using 2024 US EPA factors.
- In addition to diesel and gasoline, approximately 0.007% of our total fleet fuel is biodiesel, primarily from our St. Cloud, Minn. DC.
- Scope 2 emissions were calculated using 2024 US EPA E-grid factors.
- Overall slight emissions increase due to addition of Metcalfe’s Market locations.
| SCOPE 3 EMISSIONS | MT CO2e |
|---|---|
|
Scope 3a |
|
|
Business travel (partialb) |
2,894 |
|
Total Scope 3 |
2,894 |
- Scope 3 emissions were calculated using 2024 US EPA factors.
- Scope 3 emissions reflect partial business travel data.
2024 Energy Data
| ENERGY CONSUMPTIONa | GJ |
|---|---|
|
FUEL |
1,980,974 |
|
Stationary (fuel oil, natural gas) |
641,653 |
|
Mobile (fleet fuel) |
1,339,321 |
|
ELECTRICITY |
1,354,473 |
|
Total Energy Consumption |
3,335,447 |
- Fuel and electricity converted to GJ using eia.gov conversion factors.
For more information on our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, please see our Corporate Responsibility Report.
Waste Diversion
2024 Waste Recycled
21,642
tons of recycled cardboard
571
tons of recycled plastic, shrink wrap and stretch film
We have recycled over 21,000 tons of cardboard, 570 tons of plastic and 200 tons of batteries. SpartanNash partners with Trex, a manufacturer of wood-alternative decking, to recycle 100% of the stretch film from our stores and DCs. This stretch film is recycled into post-consumer products, such as composite decking used for porches, decks and ramps.
Food Diversion
57%
waste diverted from landfill
To reduce waste across our organization, our retail stores and distribution centers have established processes to ensure food is redirected to our communities before reaching a landfill. Every location partners with local nonprofit organizations that regularly pick up food donations, helping to nourish our communities while minimizing waste. We take pride in supporting our partners by providing high-value items such as fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy.
Responsible and Sustainable Packaging
We strive to source products responsibly and sustainably, which involves partnering with suppliers who uphold our high standards and sourcing products as locally as possible wherever practical. We continue to require each new vendor to read and acknowledge compliance with our Vendor Code of Conduct, demonstrating their commitment to act in a legal, ethical, safe, fair and environmentally responsible manner.
Sustainable Packaging
Within our OwnBrands product portfolios, one of our product development pillars is focused on reducing packaging waste by enhancing the recyclability of materials, increasing the use of post-consumer recycled content and eliminating unnecessary packaging wherever possible. We are excited to share our 2024 progress on our sustainable packaging journey.
Our Family® Packaging
45%
of Our Family packaging contains recycled material
Retail Packaging Supplies
46%
of retail packaging supplies contains recycled material
Consumer Innovations
Our Family
Designer Paper Plates & Lunch Bags
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Certified Sourcing
Our Family
Aluminum Foil & Parchment Paper
Made with 100% Recycled Paperboard
Finest Reserve
Coffee Pods
BPI Compostable Certified
Our Family
Cutlery & Paper Straws
Ecofriendly Compostable
Environment, Health and Safety
Investing in the safety of our Associates builds upon our People First culture of caring, and there is nothing more important than ensuring our Associates go home safely to their families every day. Read more about our commitment to the Environmental, Health and Safety Policy.