Greener communities
Greener communities
As a supplier of thousands of products to over 800 communities, we are deeply aware of the impact we have on the environment surrounding our operations. Over the years, we’ve introduced initiatives such as our reusable grocery bag, in-store conservation programs and using LEED® standards to guide the construction of our stores and distribution centres. Much of our progress stems from the ideas, solutions and commitment of our employees and affiliates. Hundreds of initiatives have been undertaken to support greener communities.
Thrifty Foods – Greening the local environment
With the opening of its new store in Coquitlam, British Columbia in April, 2006, Thrifty Foods took an innovative step towards diminishing its carbon footprint. In partnership with Tree Canada and in conjunction with the new store opening, Thrifty Foods planted 1,776 trees in Manning Provincial Park and Colony Farm Regional Park. This was enough trees to retire the carbon emissions that are generated by the store in a year.
Planting trees may sound simple, but it’s also a sound strategy to combat the effects of global warming through carbon sequestration – a fancy way of saying that planting trees, shrubs or other green, growing things increases the absorption of carbon dioxide and the production of oxygen. Trees also provide shade, buffer noise, and provide habitat for wildlife.
Since 2006, Thrifty Foods has also partnered with Tree Canada to ensure that a similar number of trees were planted in Mount Douglas Park for the opening of their Tuscany Village store in Victoria, B.C. in October 2007. Also, trees were planted in the Lower Mainland’s Tri-Cities area along with the opening of Thrifty Foods’ Port Moody store in August, 2008.
It is Thrifty Foods’ intention to continue this tree planting practice with every new store it opens. There are also studies underway to determine the feasibility of retro-fitting existing Thrifty Foods stores by planting trees in proximity to each location.
