“It started with Styrofoam.. Getting to “Green” one cup at a time”
FMI Sustainability SummitSept-2011
Patti Olenick, Sustainability ManagerWeis Markets
Who we are
• Founded in 1912• Currently operating 162 stores in the
home state of Pennsylvania and in Maryland, New York, New Jersey and West Virginia
• Over 19,000 Associates• Annual sales: $2.6 billion
It all started with…• Took away the Styrofoam
cups and plastic spoons• We were using over 20,000
cups per year in the corporate office
• provided ceramic mug replacements for everyone
• A symbolic “Green” gesture that set the stage for things to come
Weis Markets- Inside Our Company’s Sustainability Initiatives
• Company Sustainability Team• Energy Awareness Program• Trash Treaty• Pepsico Dream Machine• Weis News• Sustainable Star Award
Sustainability Team• Members from all Departments that
meets monthly• Group evaluation of projects - Dream
Machine• Initiate Department specific projects –
mail processes, pharmacy plastic recycling, sustainable seafood program
• Writing CSR and helping to set sustainability goals/targets
Our Sustainability Mission:
“Weis Markets is committed to our customers and communities to
continually adopt sustainable practices to minimize our impact on the
environment today and for tomorrow.”
Energy Awareness Training• Energy Captain
assigned at every store
• Training at Company District Level(12 Districts)
• Over 300 associates trained
• Every store receives a Tool Kit
Energy Awareness Bulletin Boards
Monthly Energy Report
• A competition between stores and districts
• Shows details of Energy Use– Sent to all stores
monthly – Every store
compares its usage with other stores
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
221
224
219
116
222
220
216
217
215
213
214
218
Stor
e #
kWh Per Sq/Ft
Energy/Electric Usage Report Dec 2009 – Jan 2010
kWh Per Sq/Ft
Trash Treaty• America Recycles
Day-November 15th • Every Associate in
the Company signed and acknowledged the “Trash Treaty”
• 18,000 Plus Signatures
Pepsico Dream Machine
• Pilot Program with Pepsi, WM, KAB for Disabled Veterans
• Goal =Increase recycling rate
• Stores/Associates are responsible for maintaining Kiosk
Weis News• Everyone reads the
“Weis News”• Always has a
Sustainable/Green story
• Company News Letter• Issued 4 times/year• Highlights Associate
Involvement
Sustainable Star Award• Awarded to associates and
stores for promoting sustainable practices– Must show a savings in $,
energy or carbon fp– Initiates a green company
policy– Reduces environmental
impact• Store #106 – Energy
Awareness Poster competition winner
• Store #205 - waxed cardboard recycling project (saving $245 per month)
• www.steelfork.com
Sustainable Star Award• Highlights a specific
project• Milton Distribution
Project – 1.1 million sq ft building
• Lighting upgrade to LED’s and low watt fluorescent
• Project savings over 5 million kWh per year
• Cut energy use by 30%
Ron Mertz, Tom Frederick, Matt Frymoyer and VP Kevin Small
Getting “GREENER”• Steady communication of
progress • Promote programs• Encourage participation• Top down support• Have an Open Door Policy• Show the impact of a • Suggestion• Showcase the Successes• Say Thanks!