More Than Food

Big Y’s Sustainability Pledge: Nurturing Our Planet for Generations to Come

At Big Y, beyond providing great quality, pricing and customer service, we also try to be smart about the resources we use, how much energy we consume and how we handle whatever waste we create. While we've always been mindful, over the past three years we have made a company-wide effort to be earth-friendly, and have reduced our total energy consumption by more than 17,800,000 kWh!

Connecticut Bottle Bill

As of January 1, 2024, a new Connecticut state law has increased the bottle deposit amount on beverage containers from 5¢ to 10¢. Connecticut's deposit law has proven to reduce litter and raise recycling rates.

Making Improvements Toward a Greener Tomorrow

Energy

Energy Measures in our stores have saved more than 73 million kWh. This is the equivalent to annual C02 emissions from:

5,821,298 gallons of gasoline consumed
10,066 homes' electricity use for one year
119,775 barrels of oil consumed

Recycling

More than 17,000 tons of cardboard, paper and plastics recycled annually
Over 1 million bottles and cans annually

Reusable Pallets

In 2023, we converted to the use of reusable, plastic pallets from wooden ones at our Fresh and Local Distribution Center. Reusable pallets last 18 times longer than wooden pallets. This results in a significant reduction of waste from broken pallets, and conserves energy and natural resources required to produce new pallets. Additionally, these pallets are safer and more manageable for our employees.

Solar

We have four Megawatts of ground mount and rooftop arrays installed at several locations, and participate in more than 10 community solar array projects. This solar production is equivalent to annual C02 emissions from:

5,142,780 gallons of gasoline consumed
8,893 homes' electricity use for one year
105, 814 barrels of oil consumed

Store Remodels

We have mindfully executed the following in each store we have remodeled:

High Efficiency Rooftop and Refrigeration Systems
LED Lighting Interior and Exterior
Light Dimming Systems
Energy Star Rated Equipment
Building Energy Management System
Night Curtains or Glass Door Retrofits on Open Refrigerated Cases
High Efficiency Motors
Capture and Utilization of Waste Heat
Cycling Anti-Sweat Heaters
Waterless Urinals
Low Flow Water Controls on Our Sinks
Energy Efficient Hand Dryers

EV Charging Stations

We provide electric vehicle charging stations at many of our Supermarket and Big Y Express locations and we are continuously striving to add this amenity to more locations.

Simple Ways to Go Green and Celebrate Our Planet

Here are some simple ways you can join our sustainability efforts to go green and celebrate our planet.

Put on a sweatshirt or cozy up with a cup of hot tea

It can be tempting to turn up the heat in your home when you are cold. Resist this temptation by keeping your thermostat at 68 degrees while you are home. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall heating bill will be.¹

Wash your clothes in cold water

Switching your temperature setting from hot to cold can cut a load's energy use in half. This is not only beneficial for your wallet, it's also better for the environment.²

Walk or bike to your destination

Rather than hopping in the car for that 2 minute ride to the post office, take a few extra minutes to go for a stroll - enjoy the outdoors, and get a little exercise. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation account for about 27 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making it the largest contributor of U.S. GHG emissions.³

Shop second hand for furniture and homegoods

Buy used items to reduce waste as well as emissions created by producing new materials or disposing of them in landfills. Donate unused clothing, electronics and building materials to make sure others can reuse them too!⁴

Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth

This simple practice can save 8 gallons of water per day and, while shaving, can save 10 gallons of water per shave. Assuming you brush your teeth twice daily and shave 5 times per week, you could save nearly 5,700 gallons per year.⁵

Put your food waste to good use: compost

Composting is nature’s way of recycling. It is one of the most powerful actions we can take to reduce our trash, address climate change and build healthy soil.⁶

Switch to LED light bulbs

LED light bulbs use up to 90% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.⁷

Bring your reusable bag

Each reusable bag can eliminate hundreds (if not thousands) of single-use plastic or paper bags. Side tip! If you are in need, we have plenty of beautifully designed reusable bags for sale in our stores.⁸

Dig In Be Well

Going Green with Your Cuisine

Author: be well™ with Big Y® Registered Dietitian Team

Plate on Grass, Go Green

Show your support for a cleaner environment by leveraging your power as a consumer. Invest in more earth-friendly products, brands and food production practices as you check off your weekly shopping lists.

Buy Local
Buy Organic
Support Green Manufacturing
Waste Less, Want Less

Working Together

We work with these Local Partners to bring you the freshest foods,
and also because they sustain our communities and are committed to environmentally responsible business practices.

Gotham Greens

Providence, RI

Growing local produce year-round in hydroponic greenhouses, saving 230 million gallons of water annually.

UMass Student Farm

Amherst, MA

The UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture student-run farm trains students seeking careers in food production, food sourcing and food security advocacy work.

Autumn Mist Farm

Feeding Hills, MA

This small, 100-acre family beef farm raises fresh, local Angus beef that is natural with no added growth hormones or artificial ingredients. Their cattle is raised with pasture access, meaning they are never confined to a feedlot.

North Coast Seafoods

Boston, MA

Sustainable Seafood is caught, farmed or harvested using environmentally harmonious and socially responsible methods that do not jeopardize oceans or the stability of the species.

Our favorite local products featured in our weekly flyer.

Community

Because we care, Big Y is proud to take an active role in supporting the communities we serve.

Composting and Animal Feed

All of our facilities divert more than 6,000 tons of food scraps per year to composting and animal feed.

Food Donations

More than 3,100 tons of food is donated per year. That's more than 5,000,000 meals to those in need.

¹ Source: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/programmable-thermostats

² Source: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/laundry

³ Source: https://www.epa.gov/transportation-air-pollution-and-climate-change/carbon-pollution-transportation

⁴ Source: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/reducing-and-reusing-basics

⁵ Source: https://www.epa.gov/watersense/statistics-and-facts

⁶ Source: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home

⁷ Source: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/lighting-choices-save-you-money

⁸ Source: https://www.epa.gov/trash-free-waters/ten-ways-unpackage-your-life

Published 3/30/2023