Jun 25, 2012 10:21 AM

Grand Rapids MI-based retailer Meijer recently joined the US Environment Protection Agency’s GreenChill Partnership.

Created as a voluntary partnership, GreenChill members focus on reducing refrigerant emissions and decreasing their impact on the environment and ultimately people’s health. By joining GreenChill, Meijer is pledging to meet higher standards that go beyond regulatory requirements to protect the ozone layer and combat climate change.

According to GreenChill, partners have refrigerant emission rates nearly 50% lower than the national average. If more supermarkets and supercenters set forth similar procedures, the industry could save more than $100 million in refrigerant costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an amount equal to 2.5 billion gallons of gasoline.

Meijer also has embarked on several other environmentally friendly initiatives including fuel centers that offer alternative fuel choices such as E-85 Flex Fuel, clean diesel, and electric vehicle charging stations. The firm is building new stores using LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program guidelines and principles, and is testing wind turbines at several locations.

Meijer operates 198 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. Additional information can be found at www.meijer.com.

For more on GreenChill, including its store certification program, visit www.epa.gov/greenchill.