A Long Standing Commitment to the Environment

UNFI has a long-standing commitment and a proactive concern for the environment including a reverence for sustainable agriculture and a deep focus on social responsibility, stewardship of the land and reducing our ecological footprint. Our commitment to these principles is evidenced by the ongoing incorporation of environmentally sustainable practices into present and future business activities.

The Sustainable Journey

This short video features interviews with UNFI leaders discussing UNFI's green initiatives, such as the solar installations at UNFI's distribution centers in Connecticut and California, green building projects, energy and water conservation, LEED certification, UNFI Green Teams, support of the natural product industry's Non-GMO Project and other UNFI projects.

If you are having trouble viewing the video, please  CLICK HERE  to view it on youtube.com

UNFI’s Ongoing Green Initiatives

Energy and Water
We focus on energy and water conservation by embarking on environmental projects and cultivating sustainable partnerships.

Solar Energy
UNFI has installed major solar electric systems on the rooftops of our Rocklin CA and Dayville CT distribution centers.  The 1.19 megawatt solar panel array at our Rocklin CA facility generates over 1.5 million kilowatt hours of clean energy annually.  The 550 Kilowatt solar panel array on the roof of our Dayville, CT distribution center generates over 600,000 kilowatt hours of clean energy annually.

Other energy and water conservation efforts:

• Utilize 100% Green Power in our Ridgefield, WA distribution facility
• Avoided 15,837 tons of CO2 emissions from our Eastern Region delivery routes in 2007 through participation in EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership  program
• Eliminated over 2.6 million driving miles per year by opening new facilities in Ridgefield, WA and Sarasota, FL
• Researching sustainable Bio-Fuel programs for our national truck fleet
• Developed a Hybrid Vehicle Incentive Program for outbound sales associates
• Reduced water consumption by more than 40% in our Ridgefield, WA facility with energy saving programs and fixtures

Waste Reduction
UNFI focuses on waste reduction by implementing conservation programs and processes within our nationwide network of facilities.

• Provide desk-side recycling bins for each employee to use for office paper
• Adopted a best management practice of 30% recycled content minimum for office printing paper nationwide
• Recycle over 900,000 pounds of shrink-wrap per year
• Recycle over 4 million pounds of cardboard annually
• Deliver orders to customers using 100% recycled totes
• Recycle all outdated electronic equipment and cell phones
• All publications use vegetable based ink and post-consumer recycled printing materials

Associate Involvement and Education
UNFI encourages associate involvement at work and at home for sustainable practices 

• UNFI Green Teams at our facilities around the country research and implement creative ways to reduce waste and increase resource conservation
• Developed a dedicated intra-company green Website with links to articles and educational videos on important environmental issues
• Encourage associate interest and involvement with monthly electronic newsletter highlighting Green Team accomplishments and company initiatives
• Present lunchtime seminars to associates featuring basic suggestions for and gentle encouragement of incorporating sustainability into daily activities
• Maintain prominent bulletin boards dedicated to environmental topics
• Annual recognition of environmentally significant occasions such as Earth Day and Arbor Day

Sustainable Building
UNFI has implemented environmentally sustainable building practices in our construction activities.

• Member of the United States Green Building Council since 2007
• LEED ® Accredited Professional on our Executive Team
• Achieved LEED Gold Certification for our new distribution center in Ridgefield, WA (2007)
• Seeking LEED Silver Certification for our Providence RI headquarters, in a rennovated industrial complex (2009)
• Achieved LEED Gold Certification for our York, PA Distribution Center (2010) York Fact Sheet> 

For More Information Contact:
Joseph Calabrese
Financial Relations Board
(212) 827-3772
jcalabrese@frbir.com