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green_inititatives

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.

Download our 2010-2011 Corporate Sustainability Report. Our report demonstrates concrete achievements and an expanding circle of shared success for our employees, customers and communities.

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.

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UNFI’s Ongoing Green Initiatives

Michael Funk and Tom Dziki on the roof at RocklinEnergy and Resource Conservation
We focus on energy and resource 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, Dayville, CT and Providence, RI facilities. 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 our Dayville, CT distribution center generates over 600,000 kilowatt hours of clean energy annually. The 142 kilowatt solar panel array at our Providence, RI headquarters will generate 175,000 kilowatt hours of clean energy annually.

Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

  • Joined the EPA Climate Leaders program in 2009 and are developing an absolute reduction goal
  • Avoided 15,837 tons of CO2 emissions from our Eastern Region delivery routes in 2007 through participation in EPA

SmartWay Transport Partnership

  • Key Performance Indicators sent to the Leadership and Operations Teams monthly showing consumption patterns
  • Implemented Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology in the Sarasota facility, saving approximately 640,000 kilowatt hours each year
  • Developed a Hybrid Vehicle Incentive Program for all associates
  • Joined the EPA Green Power Partners program, pledging at least 3% of our electricity will come from renewable sources

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
  • 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
  • National Ink Cartridge Recycling Program in place
  • Constantly looking at creative waste reduction strategies

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

  • The UNFI Green Team donated $20,000 to the National Wildlife Federation to help aid cleanup efforts after the BP Oil Disaster in the Gulf
  • Green Teams have partnered with the Ocean’s Conservancy to participate in their International Coastal Cleanup Day event in September, 2010. UNFI associates will be paid for their time volunteering through UNFI’s Corporate Volunteer Program.
  • UNFI Green Teams at our facilities around the country research and implement creative ways to reduce waste and increase resource conservation
  • Present lunchtime seminars to associates featuring basic suggestions for and gentle encouragement of incorporating sustainability into daily activities
  • 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)
  • Achieved LEED Gold Certification for our York, PA Distribution Center (2010)
  • Seeking LEED Silver Certification for our Providence, RI headquarters, in a renovated industrial complex (2009)
  • Seeking LEED Certification for our Lancaster, TX Distribution Center
  • Our Chesterfield, NH facility received a prestigious Energy Star award (2009)