PRSM honors Target, Wegmans for sustainability efforts

The Target Co. and Wegmans Food Markets, both known for their store brand programs, are the 2017 recipients of the Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association’s (PRSM) Innovation in Sustainability Award. The award recognizes PRSM retail member companies with outstanding sustainability programs that deliver exceptional results and was presented during the recent PRSM 2017 National Conference in Dallas.

“PRSM has numerous retail members who are dedicated to sustainability. However, Target and Wegmans have gone above and beyond to incorporate leading-edge technologies, establish sustainability cultures inside their organizations and reduce their total carbon footprint. We are proud to present them with the 2017 Innovation in Sustainability Award,” stated Bill Yanek, PRSM CEO.

Highlights of Minneapolis-based Target’s sustainability efforts include:

• 147.5 megawatts of installed solar power, more than any other U.S. company.

• 1.3 billion pounds of retail waste diverted from landfills.

• 61 million pounds of food donated — enough to provide 51 million meals in Target communities.

• 40 megawatts of renewable wind power — enough to power 60 stores.

Highlights of Rochester, N.Y.-based Wegmans sustainability efforts include:

• 14.5 million pounds of food donated to food banks.

• 4 million pounds of plastic bags recycled.

• 32.6 million pounds of food waste recycled.

• 123 million pounds of cardboard and paper recycled.

Wegmans has made significant progress towards a zero-waste store, having reduced waste by 80 percent in a test store, with plans to roll out the waste reduction program to nine additional stores this year. The new goal for the pilot store will be to reduce waste by 90 percent in 2017.