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Sustainability

green

We are committed to implement innovative and cost saving methods to reduce our energy use, conserve resources, and improve the environment. Our efforts are focused on facility improvements, harvesting rain water, and adding energy management tools, and more!

When it comes to sustainability, we share many common values with our customers and vendors. Let’s make a difference together.

 

 

 

 

 

Quick Facts

Energy Projects:

Lighting retrofits to LED now covering over 100% of our facilities inside and out, dock improvements, day lighting, HVAC upgrade, energy (peak load) management program, demand response participation, PACE Controls (improving compressor efficiency), high efficiency and VFD motor upgrades and building envelope improvements. Completed a Strategic Energy Management Plan in 2012.

Results:

  • 17% reduction in Electric usage from our peak 12 month period
  • 23% reduction in electric costs from our peak 12 month period
  • 56% reduction in Natural Gas usage from our peak 12 month period
  • 44.5% reduction in energy cost per throughput case from our peak 12 month period

Water Conservation:

Conservation, rainwater harvesting, enhanced cooling water

Results:

  • Over 1,600,000 gallons reduction in annual water use
  • 24% reduction from our peak use in 2007

Recycling:

Begun in 2000, now a company-wide “mixed-stream” recycling program

Results:

  • 93% waste diversion rate in 2016 (6.6 million pounds recycled)
  • 80% reduction in “pounds of waste/100 throughput cases” from our peak 12 month period
  • Joined the EPA’s WasteWise recycling program

Fleet Programs:

Routing improvements, modified delivery schedules, equipment enhancements and driver education to reduce miles and improve fleet performance

Results:

  • Elimination of over 1,200,000 fleet miles from 2007-2009 (21% reduction).
  • Joined the EPA’s SmartWay Transport Partnership

Achievements

  • Recognized in the ten-year retrospective by the EPA as the first warehouse in the country to be awarded the ENERGY STAR.
  • Awarded 2010 “Corporate Citizen of the Year” by Central Penn Business Journal.
  • Recognized with the “Ethics in Business” award by Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and the Samaritan Counseling Center in 2012.
  • Featured in DC Velocity and the summer High Performing Building’s magazines.
  • Green Plus Certified – Awarded 2013 Green Plus Sustainable Enterprise Award
  • Lifetime business partner with Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA)