Distribution Centres
Distribution Centres
Electricity consumption accounts for the vast majority of our distribution centres' greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In an effort to reduce energy consumption, our distribution centre teams have implemented a number of electricity conservation measures and technologies, including the installation of energy-efficient lighting, light-dimming and motion-sensor technologies, higher efficiency HVAC systems and refrigeration heat recovery systems to warm different areas of the buildings (which reduce both electricity and heating energy consumption). They have also implemented measures to reduce waste, and where applicable, reduce refrigerant leaks by using ammonia refrigeration systems that do not generate GHG emissions.
Our employees continue to share ideas on improving our operation's energy, fuel and refrigeration efficiency in environmentally responsible ways, as well as being active participants in our waste reduction efforts. Additionally, they regularly review how the innovative, environmentally sustainable systems and processes implemented in the Trois-Rivières, Québec and Vaughan, Ontario distribution centres can be incorporated into other facilities.
The following is a sample of initiatives that have been implemented in different areas of the Company and their resulting impact.
Sobeys Ontario
- Replaced two distribution centres' lighting lamps with energy efficient T5 lamps resulting in a combined annual savings of 3.2 million kilowatt hours (kWhs)
- Implemented a waste reduction/diversion program at the Vaughan distribution centre resulting in 87% of the facility's waste being diverted from landfill. Through this program, 19% more was earned in revenue for recycling cardboard and plastics than the amount that would have been paid for waste disposal.
Sobeys Atlantic
In all distribution centres in the Atlantic region:
- Retrofitted lighting with energy efficient T5 lamps
- Introduced employee energy awareness/conservation programs
- Introduced an enhanced heating and refrigeration preventative maintenance program
Combined, these initiatives are expected to have a meaningful impact across the Sobeys Atlantic distribution network. For example, annual electricity consumption decreased by 43% at our distribution centre in Stellarton, N.S., where the initiatives above were first implemented.
Thrifty Foods
- Replaced two distribution centres' lighting with energy efficient T5 lamps which, combined, are expected to reduce annual electricity consumption by over 510,000 kWhs.
As we design and build new facilities, we will incorporate a number of environmentally sensitive, energy efficient features and technologies that were used in our building of two of Canada's first – the first LEED® gold certified refrigerated distribution centre and the first fully automated distribution centre, in Trois-Rivières, Québec and Vaughan, Ontario, respectively.
Read the following case studies for more details about our Trois-Rivières, Québec and Vaughan, Ontario distribution centres, and to learn about our ongoing initiatives as we impart on the construction of two new distribution centres in Terrebonne, Québec, and North Saanich, British Columbia.
