The Greenest Grocers: Independent Stores Take the Lead on Climate

Aldi

Do you know the largest source of climate pollution comes from supermarkets? You might be surprised to learn it comes from how these stores preserve our food.  

Most supermarkets currently use HFCs, refrigerants that are major climate pollutants with thousands of times the global warming potential of CO2. When these refrigerants inevitably leak from cooling systems, they are major drivers of the climate crisis. 

While many groceries are switching to Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), they’re actually trading one harm for another. HFOs do cause less climate change than HFCs, but when HFOs leak into our soil and water, they eventually break down into trifluoroacetate (TFA), a forever chemical linked to reproductive and cardiac issues and cancers. So, this new “solution” actually creates pollutants that risk our health!  

But there's a better choice: natural refrigerants – like CO2, ammonia, and propane. They have a very low climate footprint, are safe, and save money in the long run. 

Green America is working to shift the entire grocery industry to natural refrigerants in all stores and distribution centers nationwide to protect the planet and human health. You can take action with us to urge large chains to do better. 

Unfortunately, many large grocery chains are slow to adopt natural refrigerants. They say that making the switch is too expensive. But there are local and regional grocers disproving those claims by making the shift and saving money over time.  

They are using natural refrigerants as part of their overall commitment to the wellbeing of their communities and the environment, while providing a great shopping experience for their customers. Many of these stores are also strong supporters of organic, regenerative, and local sourcing to provide customers with safe and nutritious foods.  

We’re seeing first-hand how caring for our communities and the planet aligns with making a profit. Click on a region below to find a climate-leading store near you to support. 

Coborn's: This Midwestern chain is installing CO2 systems in both new and remodeled stores to reduce its climate footprint and use less energy.

In 2021, when Coborn’s installed two sustainable refrigeration systems in its stores, they estimated the move would reduce electricity consumption by 3 million kWh and emission by 934 tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

Healthy Living Market & Café: This Northeast-based supermarket chain incorporated CO2 refrigeration systems in its newer stores to significantly reduce its carbon footprint.

Healthy Living paired the use of natural refrigerants with a number of other sustainable measures that are collectively resulting in a reduction of 555,700 pounds of CO2, 589,529 kwh per year, and savings of $86,400 per year.

DeCicco & Sons: A small, family-owned New York-based grocer that has installed CO2 refrigerant systems in several locations, resulting in lower emissions and significant energy savings.

Erewhon: This chain of pioneering organic grocery stores in California uses CO2 refrigerants in their new stores as they expand their footprint throughout the state.

PCC Community Markets: This certified organic Oregon-based cooperative market chain set a goal in 2018 to halve its refrigerant emissions and uses CO2 systems in its store.

Natural Grocers: This chain of 170 natural and organic food stores, headquartered in Colorado, and operating in states throughout the Midwest and West has installed CO2 systems in three of its stores so far.

Briarpatch: This progressive co-op with two stores in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California, is incorporating the use of natural refrigerants into its overall net zero climate strategy that includes using 100% renewable energy and diverting 100% of organic waste from landfill.

Weiss Markets: This Mid-Atlantic regional chain has two stores, located in Macungie and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, using CO2 refrigerants. Adopting natural refrigerants supports the company’s goal of reducing its environmental impacts while reducing its operational costs.

Ralph’s: Ralph’s Supermercado y Mayorista, a small chain on the island, includes the first store in Puerto Rico to install a CO2 refrigerant system. Ralph’s President Jose Soto, is excited that the innovative technology works well in the high heat and humidity of the local climate.

Sprouts Markets: Located in 25 states in the continental US, Sprouts transitioned 32 stores to lower global warming potential refrigeration systems, including advanced CO2 systems, in stores.

ALDI: This German-owned discount chain with stores across the US has a goal of transitioning all its stores to natural refrigerants by 2035 and has already implanted these systems in 800 of its stores.

Weiss Markets: This Mid-Atlantic regional chain has two stores, located in Macungie and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, using CO2 refrigerants.

Adopting natural refrigerants supports the company’s goal of reducing its environmental impacts while reducing its operational costs.

Ralph’s Supermercado y Mayorista, a small chain on the island, includes the first store in Puerto Rico to install a CO2 refrigerant system.

Ralph’s President Jose Soto is excited that the innovative technology works well in the high heat and humidity of the local climate.

Located in 25 states in the continental US, Sprouts transitioned 32 stores to lower global warming potential refrigeration systems, including advanced CO2 systems, in stores.

This German-owned discount chain with stores across the US has a goal of transitioning all its stores to natural refrigerants by 2035 and has already implanted these systems in 800 of its stores.