Compiled by the Waste Age staff.

Eden Prairie, Minn.-based Supervalu Inc. has announced a goal of having 40 of its store locations achieve a “zero waste” designation by the end of February 2012. The company’s grocery chains include Albertson’s, Shop ‘n Save, Cub Foods and Farm Fresh.

To achieve the zero-waste designation by Supervalu, a store must divert at least 90 percent of its waste from landfills. Two of the company’s grocery stores — both of which were Albertson’s located in California — achieved the designation last year.

“Our commitment to significantly increase the number of zero waste stores is part of a long-term strategy for Supervalu to be a leader in the area of environmental sustainability,” said Andy Herring, executive vice president of real estate, market development and legal, in a press release. “At the same time, we are committed to these projects because we’ve also seen that they make a positive financial impact on our business, a true win-win.”

According to the company, its recycling revenues exceeded its landfill expenses for the first time in the firm’s history in fiscal year 2011.

RELATED RESOURCE:

• "Supervalu to Boost Number of Zero Waste Stores" (press release)

• Supervalu's 2011 Corporate Social Responsibility Report