{"id":4583,"date":"2021-03-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-01T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www-prod.greenpeace.org\/usa\/shopping-for-plastic-2021\/"},"modified":"2025-07-02T07:43:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T07:43:15","slug":"shopping-for-plastic-2021","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/usa\/shopping-for-plastic-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Shopping for Plastic: The 2021 Supermarket Plastics Ranking"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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Shopping for Plastic: The 2021 Supermarket Plastics Ranking<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

How does your favorite supermarket rank when it comes to reducing the plastic pollution flooding our oceans, waterways, and communities?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Add your name<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Our rankings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve ranked 20 major U.S. grocery retailers based on their efforts to reduce their reliance on plastics and tackle the pollution crisis. Every minute the equivalent of a truckload of plastic enters the oceans. That plastic can kill whales, seabirds, turtles, and fish. But all of this plastic doesn\u2019t have to enter the ocean to do damage. It is overwhelming communities, impacting human health, and fueling the climate crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As with our first ranking in 2019<\/a>, all of the supermarkets we assessed received failing scores.<\/strong> Following initial progress after our 2019 ranking, U.S. grocery retailers largely deprioritized sustainability, including plastic pollution, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many retailers fell prey to plastics industry propaganda<\/a> and discontinued bans on single-use plastic checkout bags, delayed implementation of reuse initiatives, and struggled to maintain momentum on sustainability initiatives as corporate priorities shifted to keeping shelves stocked and responding to the public health risks of the pandemic. We now know single-use plastics are not inherently safer than reusables<\/a>, and supermarkets must embrace a reuse revolution<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>

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The U.S. is falling behind<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In stark contrast to the U.S., even during the pandemic, some supermarkets worldwide, like South Korean Lotte Mart<\/a> and ALDI UK & Ireland<\/a>, committed to reducing single-use plastics 50% by 2025. Fortunately, several U.S. retailers, including top-ranked Giant Eagle, are beginning to restart reduction initiatives that were paused when the pandemic spread to the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While retail operations and the world have changed amid a pandemic, we cannot lose sight of the myriad crises facing our society and planet that continue to worsen every day, including plastic pollution and runaway climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We must continue to demand bold action from retailers on single-use plastics.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Our demands for retailers:<\/h2><\/header>
Remove unnecessary throwaway packaging, commit to eliminate single-use plastics, and transition to reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives.<\/div>

Retailers must immediately remove unnecessary throwaway packaging, commit to eliminate single-use plastics, and\u00a0transition to reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>. Simply\u00a0swapping single-use plastics for another throwaway material doesn\u2019t cut it<\/a>\u00a0and will continue to pollute our communities and planet. Retailers need to reinstate \u2014 or if they haven\u2019t yet, announce \u2014 bans on plastic checkout bags and permit reusable bags in stores. Recycling has failed to curb the increasing flood of plastic pollution. Retailers must prioritize reduction and reuse over recycling, and\u00a0eliminate unrecyclable plastics (all plastics with Resin Identification Codes #3\u2013#7)<\/a>.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

Correct misleading labels<\/div>

Retailers also need to\u00a0correct misleading labels<\/a>\u00a0claiming that packaging is recyclable when it is far more likely to end up in a landfill or incinerator. Greenpeace sued Walmart in December, 2020, alleging that the retailer has illegally and incorrectly advertised its\u00a0own brand<\/a>\u00a0throwaway plastic products and packaging as recyclable. While the suit focuses on Walmart, the problem is much more expansive, with many other retailers also choosing to put more effort into greenwashing than reducing their plastic footprint.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

Embrace federal legislation<\/div>

It’s time for retailers to show real leadership by embracing federal legislation like the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act<\/a>\u00a0and supporting a strong, ambitious\u00a0global plastics treaty<\/a>.
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Retailers need to keep you in the know<\/h2>\n\n

You deserve to know if supermarkets are reducing their use of wasteful single-use plastics and creating reuse and refill options for shoppers like you, or if they\u2019re content with polluting the planet. It\u2019s time to demand action<\/a>. Together, with your calls for change, supermarkets will #breakfreefromplastic<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

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How Supermarkets Ranked on Plastics: <\/h2>\n\n

Click on a supermarket to see the results.<\/p>\n\n

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1. Giant Eagle<\/h2><\/header>
Overall Score: 34.80\/100<\/div>

Policy: 34.78

<\/div>Reduction: 35.04
<\/div>Initiatives: 43.08
<\/div>Transparency: 25.81
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Stores & Banners
<\/strong>Giant Eagle \u2022 Giant Eagle Express \u2022 Market District \u2022 Market District Express

Score Breakdown
<\/strong>Giant Eagle\u2019s meteoric rise from 16th place in the 2019 ranking to 1st this year is a testament to the bold actions the company has taken since then. In December 2019, the retailer ambitiously\u00a0committed to eliminate all single-use plastics by 2025<\/a>. For Giant Eagle to succeed, it must move swiftly and engage its suppliers to ditch plastics and invest in\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>.

Policy:\u00a0<\/strong>Giant Eagle\u2019s\u00a0public commitment<\/a>\u00a0is to eliminate all single-use plastics by 2025, solidly placing it ahead of all other retailers for this category. The retailer is developing sustainable packaging supplier guidelines. Giant Eagle must prioritize\u00a0eliminating<\/em>\u00a0packaging units<\/a>, not switching from one\u00a0single-use material<\/a>\u00a0to another; scaling up\u00a0reuse, refill, and packaging-free alternative<\/a>; and releasing a more detailed policy with time-bound benchmarks.

Reduction:<\/strong>\u00a0Giant Eagle kicked off its commitment by banning plastic checkout bags in a subset of its stores and offering paper options for grocery delivery and pickup, for a charge. Unfortunately, like too many retailers, Giant Eagle paused its checkout bag initiative and does not permit reusable bags, citing the pandemic. That should hopefully change this year. The retailer is also engaging its suppliers on alternative packaging options and is prioritizing phasing out unrecyclable plastics (e.g., with Resin Identification Codes #3\u2013#7<\/a>).

Initiatives:<\/strong>\u00a0Unlike all other retailers, Giant Eagle earned a passing score in this category, albeit barely. It is engaging its suppliers to achieve its 2025 goals, working across the grocery retail industry to develop solutions to reduce packaging, and engaging local elected officials on its efforts to ditch single-use plastic checkout bags. Giant Eagle must scale up\u00a0reuse and refill<\/a>\u00a0options, demand action from large suppliers like Nestl\u00e9, and support bold initiatives\u00a0like the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act<\/a>\u00a0and a\u00a0global plastics treaty<\/a>.

Transparency:<\/strong>\u00a0Giant Eagle scored better than several retailers in this category, but it didn\u2019t finish in the top three. Like many retailers, Giant Eagle is evaluating its\u00a0plastic packaging footprint<\/a>. It should publicly share this information and provide annual updates on its progress toward its 2025 goals.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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2. Aldi<\/h2><\/header>
Overall Score: 30.61\/100<\/div>

Stores & Banners
<\/strong>ALDI

Score Breakdown
<\/strong>ALDI remains near the top of the ranking, dropping one spot this year. ALDI\u2019s\u00a0April 2019 goal<\/a>\u00a0of at least a 15% reduction of all store-exclusive product packaging by 2025 led the pack at the time.\u00a0Then came Giant Eagle<\/a>. ALDI must at minimum commit to a 50% reduction (which would match\u00a0ALDI UK and ALDI Ireland<\/a>); prioritize\u00a0eliminating packaging units outright<\/a>, as opposed to relying on\u00a0lightweighting<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0material substitution<\/a>; and be wary of failed strategies like recycling.

Policy:<\/strong>\u00a0ALDI\u2019s 2025 goal<\/a>\u00a0is for 100% reusable, recyclable,\u00a0compostable<\/a>\u00a0packaging and to reduce all store-exclusive product packaging by at least 15%. It should clarify what percentage of its packaging will be reusable, given ongoing concerns with the\u00a0recyclability<\/a>\u00a0of most plastics and the inability for most municipalities to process compostable packaging.

Reduction:<\/strong>\u00a0ALDI has never offered ultra-lightweight plastic checkout bags; however, it continues to sell thicker plastic bags, which it claims can be used up to 125 times. ALDI would do better to ditch these completely. ALDI is prioritizing elimination of PVC and expanded\u00a0polystyrene packaging<\/a>, among other initiatives.

Initiatives:<\/strong>\u00a0ALDI is one of the few retailers that sells almost entirely\u00a0own brand\u00a0<\/a>products in its stores, which should allow it to more quickly make packaging reform; however, ALDI appears to be squandering this unique opportunity. While ALDI is putting a lot of effort into stamping\u00a0recyclability<\/a>\u00a0labels on its products, it should be\u00a0eliminating that plastic packaging altogether<\/a>, since most of it isn\u2019t actually recyclable. ALDI\u2019s reuse pilot is delayed amid the pandemic.\u00a0Given that reusables can be used safely<\/a>\u00a0and are\u00a0more important than ever<\/a>, hopefully ALDI will relaunch the pilot swiftly in 2021.

Transparency:<\/strong>\u00a0ALDI is second only to Sprouts in this category. While ALDI provided some information to Greenpeace on its overall\u00a0plastic footprint<\/a>, the retailer must publicly share this information, along with its progress in reducing single-use plastics.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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3. Sprouts Market<\/h2><\/header>
Overal Score: 25.83\/100<\/div>

Stores & Banners
<\/strong>Sprouts Farmers Market

Score Breakdown
<\/strong>Sprouts climbed two spots this year, buoyed by its companywide engagement, transparency, and promise of forthcoming initiatives. As Sprouts develops its public-facing plastics policy, it must make it ambitious and time-bound (see Giant Eagle<\/a>), prioritize the\u00a0elimination of single-use plastics<\/a>, and invest significantly\u00a0in reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>.

Policy:<\/strong>\u00a0Sprouts doesn\u2019t yet have a public policy or commitment on single-use plastics. The retailer has internal standards, and is creating sustainable packaging guidelines, engaging suppliers, and developing reduction targets. 2021 is the time for Sprouts to release its policy and set a new industry standard.

Reduction:<\/strong>\u00a0Roughly half of Sprouts\u2019 stores have already phased out single-use plastic checkout bags, mostly because its California stores are prohibited by law from offering these bags. But, like ALDI, Sprouts must ensure that none of its stores offers thicker plastic checkout bags that are purportedly \u201creusable.\u201d The company must prioritize eliminating single-use plastic packaging altogether and scaling up reuse and refill.

Initiatives:<\/strong>\u00a0Sprouts has\u00a0reuse and refill<\/a>\u00a0options, such as a bulk section that\u2019s larger than those of many retailers; however, it has paused its BYO container program during the pandemic, so customers can only purchase prepackaged bulk foods. Sprouts needs to bring back reuse and move away from single-use entirely for its bulk foods, along with transitioning its single-use plastic packaging to\u00a0reuse and refill<\/a>\u00a0for many other products. Sprouts is working with the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, and is an active member engaged in packaging with FMI (the food industry association).

Transparency:<\/strong>\u00a0Sprouts is the only retailer to receive a passing score in this category. While Sprouts provided some information to Greenpeace on its overall\u00a0plastic footprint<\/a>, the retailer must publicly share this information, along with its progress in reducing single-use plastics.
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4. The Kroger Co. <\/h2><\/header>
Overall Score: 24.06\/100<\/div>

Policy: 25.00

<\/div>Reduction: 23.08
<\/div>Initiatives: 21.54
<\/div>Transparency: 29.03
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Stores & Banners<\/strong>
Kroger \u2022 Ralphs \u2022 Dillons \u2022 Smith’s \u2022 Roundy’s \u2022 King Soopers \u2022 Fry’s Food Stores \u2022 QFC \u2022 City Market \u2022 Owen’s \u2022 Jay C Food Stores \u2022 Pay Less Super Markets \u2022 Baker’s \u2022 Gerbes \u2022 Harris Teeter \u2022 Pick ‘n Save \u2022 Ruler Foods \u2022 Metro Market \u2022 Mariano’s \u2022 Food 4 Less \u2022 Foods Co \u2022 Fred Meyer

Score Breakdown
Kroger dropped two spots this year as Giant Eagle and Sprouts moved up. The retailer has a\u00a0new goal<\/a>\u00a0of 100% recyclable,\u00a0compostable<\/a>, and\/or reusable\u00a0own brand<\/a>\u00a0packaging by 2030 \u2014 five years later than its peers that signed the\u00a0EMF Global Commitment<\/a>. Kroger is the only retailer with a commitment to ditch single-use plastic checkout bags by 2025. Given its behemoth size, Kroger has tremendous potential to make a difference for our planet if it commits to eliminate single-use plastics and scale up reuse.
Policy:<\/strong>\u00a0Kroger\u2019s 2030 goal<\/a>\u00a0of 100% recyclable,\u00a0compostable<\/a>, and\/or reusable\u00a0own brand<\/a>
packaging is similar to that of several other retailers in that it still begs the question of just how much of the mix will be\u00a0reusable<\/a>\u00a0packaging and whether the\u00a0recyclable<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0compostable options\u00a0<\/a>actually get recycled and composted. The retailer has not revealed its plans, if any, for the throwaway plastics it sells from national brands like Nestl\u00e9.
Reduction:<\/strong>\u00a0Kroger is working toward its 2025 goal to eliminate single-use plastic checkout bags, and it is also part of the Beyond the Bag Initiative. Greenpeace\u2019s advice: Switch to a low-tech solution like reusable tote bags, today. Kroger must prioritize\u00a0eliminating packaging units<\/a>, not\u00a0swapping them for other throwaway materials<\/a>. Kroger is proud of having reduced more than 10 million pounds of plastics (achieved via\u00a0lightweighting<\/a>, packaging redesign, and increasing recycled content). However, given that Kroger is a massive retailer, this reduction amounts to a modest change overall (especially when compared with a competitor a small fraction its size, Trader Joe\u2019s, which reduced nearly 6 million pounds of plastic in 2019 alone).
Initiatives:<\/strong>\u00a0Kroger made headlines<\/a>\u00a0in 2019, announcing its partnership with\u00a0Loop<\/a>\u00a0on reusable packaging. This gave the retailer a boost in the 2019 rankings, though two years later its pilot remains delayed. May 2021 be the year Kroger makes massive investments in reuse systems, from Loop to other initiatives.
Transparency:<\/strong>\u00a0Kroger is tracking its\u00a0packaging footprint<\/a>, though unlike its competitor Walmart, Kroger doesn\u2019t share any of this information publicly. The most the public knows is that it distributes\u00a06 billion plastic checkout bags<\/a>\u00a0annually. As Kroger takes on single-use plastics, it must disclose more information to the public.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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5. Albertsons <\/h2><\/header>
Overall Score: 21.85\/100<\/div>

Policy: 21.74

<\/div>Reduction: 22.22
<\/div>Initiatives: 20.00
<\/div>Transparency: 22.58
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Stores & Banners<\/strong>
Albertsons \u2022 Albertsons Market \u2022 Amigos \u2022 Andronico\u2019s Community Markets \u2022 Lucky \u2022 Market Street \u2022 Safeway \u2022 Safeway Community Markets \u2022 Vons \u2022 Jewel-Osco \u2022 Shaw’s \u2022 ACME Markets \u2022 Tom Thumb \u2022 Randalls \u2022 United Express \u2022 United Supermarkets \u2022 Pavilions \u2022 Star Market \u2022 Carrs \u2022 Haggen

Score Breakdown
<\/strong>Albertsons dropped two spots this year. The retailer has a\u00a0public commitment<\/a>\u00a0for its\u00a0own brand<\/a>\u00a0packaging to be 100% recyclable, reusable, or industrially\u00a0compostable\u00a0<\/a>by 2025; however, it is unclear just how much Albertsons will invest in\u00a0reuse and refill<\/a>\u00a0alternatives, rather than single-use packaging made from other materials.
Policy:<\/strong>\u00a0Albertsons\u2019 policy<\/a>\u00a0is another \u201cchoose your own adventure\u201d \u2014 what percentage of its packaging will be reusable by 2025 and what about the national brands in stores? Albertsons must commit to bold, time-bound policy to eliminate single-use plastic packaging, including plastic bags.

Reduction:<\/strong>\u00a0Albertsons plans to increase recycled content in some of its\u00a0own brand<\/a>\u00a0products. The retailer is exploring how to reduce single-use plastic checkout bags, though it should just eliminate them. Albertsons must engage big brands, like Unilever, to phase out single-use plastics and switch to\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>.

Initiatives:<\/strong>\u00a0Albertsons is part of the\u00a0Ocean Plastic Leadership Network<\/a>\u00a0and has actively engaged on plastics via FMI (the food industry association<\/a>). With a\u00a02025 commitment<\/a>\u00a0similar to the\u00a0EMF Global Commitment<\/a>, it begs the question whether Albertsons will formally sign on. While the retailer has eliminated some single-use plastics in its foodservice operations, this appears to be limited and not across its nationwide operations. There is zero indication that Albertsons is prioritizing\u00a0reuse and refill<\/a>.

Transparency:<\/strong>\u00a0Albertsons is evaluating its\u00a0packaging footprint<\/a>, but remains unwilling to share this information publicly. Perhaps if it adopts the\u00a0EMF Global Commitment<\/a>\u00a0it will join other large retailers like Walmart and begin sharing its\u00a0plastic footprint<\/a>\u00a0with the public.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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6. Costco<\/h2><\/header>
Overall Score: 20.53\/100<\/div>

Policy: 20.65

<\/div>Reduction: 20.51
<\/div>Initiatives: 20.00
<\/div>Transparency: 20.97
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Stores & Banners<\/strong>
Costco

Score Breakdown
<\/strong>Costco moved up three spots this year as it continues to implement its public goals to reduce its packaging. The retailer details its efforts on its\u00a0website<\/a>\u00a0and is clearly making strides; however, it lacks a comprehensive and bold time-bound policy that prioritizes the elimination of single-use plastics and scaling up of\u00a0reuse and refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>.

Policy:<\/strong>\u00a0Costco has some time-bound initiatives like its 10-year initiative to reduce\u00a0polystyrene<\/a>, though its general framework for packaging reductions lacks bold, time-bound goals like\u00a0Giant Eagle\u2019s<\/a>. When its competitors, from Walmart to Target, have time-bound \u2014 albeit weak \u2014 policies, it\u2019s time for Costco to commit to an ambitious public policy with benchmarks.

Reduction:<\/strong>\u00a0In addition to\u00a0polystyrene<\/a>\u00a0reduction, Costco is transitioning all of its food court packaging to\u00a0compostable\u00a0<\/a>alternatives. Unfortunately, similar to recyclable plastics, just because a material is\u00a0compostable\u00a0<\/a>doesn\u2019t mean it will be composted<\/a>. Costco has enormous purchasing power and needs to ditch single-use packaging immediately.

Initiatives:<\/strong>\u00a0While Costco is labeling products with\u00a0recyclability<\/a>\u00a0information, it needs to exercise caution, as most plastics in the U.S. aren\u2019t actually recyclable. Rather, it should consider initiatives like the\u00a0Ocean Plastic Leadership Network<\/a>, publicly supporting\u00a0the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act<\/a>\u00a0and a\u00a0global plastics treaty<\/a>, and massively scaling up its implementation of\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>.

Transparency:<\/strong>\u00a0Costco shares a tremendous amount of\u00a0information<\/a>\u00a0about its packaging initiatives online and most recently in its\u00a0Costco Connection<\/em><\/a>\u00a0newsletter; however, it communicates nothing about its\u00a0plastic footprint<\/a>. Greenpeace continues to have major concerns about\u00a0Costco sending trash<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0\u201cwaste-to-energy\u201d<\/a>\u00a0facilities.\u00a0There\u2019s no place for burning plastics<\/a>\u00a0or any waste generated from a retail location. This toxic activity must stop.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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7. Walmart<\/h2><\/header>
Overall Score: 18.10\/100<\/div>

Policy: 21.74

<\/div>Reduction: 17.09
<\/div>Initiatives: 15.38
<\/div>Transparency: 19.35
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Stores & Banners
<\/strong>Walmart \u2022 Walmart Supercenter \u2022 Neighborhood Market \u2022 Sam’s Club

Score Breakdown
<\/strong>Walmart dropped a spot this year, and its score largely remained unchanged. While this retailer should be recognized for\u00a0publicly reporting<\/a>\u00a0part of its\u00a0plastics footprint<\/a>, overall, it is failing big time. Instead of getting serious about reducing its truly massive contribution to the plastic pollution and climate crises, the world\u2019s largest retailer has opted to mislead its customers with labels stating that plastic items are recyclable when they are destined to be dumped or burned. In December 2020,\u00a0Greenpeace sued Walmart<\/a>\u00a0for using deceptive recyclability labels on its plastic products and packaging.

Policy:<\/strong>\u00a0Walmart has a\u00a0public goal<\/a>\u00a0of 100% recyclable, reusable, or industrially\u00a0compostable\u00a0<\/a>own brand<\/a>\u00a0packaging by 2025 and various other initiatives, such as increasing recycled content; however, like other retailers it doesn\u2019t specify how much of its packaging will be\u00a0reusable<\/a>\u00a0and if the recyclable and compostable options actually get recycled and\u00a0composted\u00a0<\/a>. For the world\u2019s largest retailer, this goal is lacking on many fronts. Walmart should\u00a0join Giant Eagle<\/a>\u00a0in committing to eliminate single-use plastics altogether.

Reduction:<\/strong>\u00a0Walmart is prioritizing elimination of PVC and\u00a0polystyrene<\/a>\u00a0packaging by 2025. Walmart plans to take another four years to gradually increase its post-consumer recycled content to 20% for its\u00a0own brand<\/a>. Unlike Kroger, Walmart hasn\u2019t committed to eliminate single-use plastic checkout bags.

Initiatives:<\/strong>\u00a0Walmart\u2019s\u00a0packaging playbook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0reporting guidelines<\/a>\u00a0offer some resources for its suppliers and the public. However, the retailer is misguided in focusing on\u00a0recyclability<\/a>, rather than\u00a0eliminating single-use plastics<\/a>\u00a0altogether and ramping up\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>. Walmart needs to leverage its global purchasing power to ditch plastics and demand national brands like Nestl\u00e9 do the same.

Transparency:<\/strong>\u00a0To its credit, Walmart is the only retailer in this ranking sharing some of its\u00a0plastic footprint<\/a>\u00a0publicly<\/a>\u00a0via the\u00a0EMF Global Commitment<\/a>; however, it isn\u2019t a complete assessment of its footprint. Several follow-up questions asked during Greenpeace\u2019s survey process remain unanswered, which has impacted Walmart\u2019s score in this ranking.
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10. Whole Foods<\/h2><\/header>
Overall Score: 15.23\/100<\/div>

Policy: 19.57

<\/div>Reduction: 14.53
<\/div>Initiatives: 12.31
<\/div>Transparency: 14.52
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Stores & Banners
<\/strong>Whole Foods Market

Score Breakdown
<\/strong>Whole Foods improved slightly this year, largely due to internal initiatives. Despite a\u00a0public campaign by Environment America<\/a>\u00a0and a failing score in an\u00a0As You Sow ranking<\/a>, Whole Foods has yet to release a bold and comprehensive time-bound policy to eliminate single-use plastics and transition to\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>.

Policy:<\/strong>\u00a0Whole Foods doesn\u2019t have a comprehensive public policy or commitments to reduce its\u00a0plastic footprint<\/a>.

Reduction:<\/strong>\u00a0Whole Foods claims several firsts among large, nationwide U.S. retailers, including the\u00a0first to ban single-use plastic checkout bags<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0plastic straws<\/a>. It also\u00a0banned microbeads<\/a>\u00a0before a national law took effect. As Giant Eagle, ALDI, and Sprouts take the lead, what will Whole Foods do to demonstrate it is the sustainability leader it wants to be?

Initiatives:<\/strong>\u00a0Whole Foods has historically offered some food in bulk, though it doesn\u2019t have extensive\u00a0reuse and refill<\/a>\u00a0operations for its stores or grocery delivery. The retailer works with some groups on recycling, though it\u2019s unclear if it has more extensive engagement across retail. Whole Foods must engage its\u00a0own brand<\/a>\u00a0and national brand suppliers, like Danone, to reduce its single-use\u00a0plastic footprint<\/a>\u00a0and switch to\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>.

Transparency:<\/strong>\u00a0Whole Foods\u00a0made headlines<\/a>\u00a0for its 2008 single-use plastic checkout bag ban, and it used to blog about its\u00a0Responsible Packaging Task Force<\/a>\u00a0in 2011. However, aside from its recent\u00a0straws announcement<\/a>, Whole Foods has largely been quiet on its website and doesn\u2019t disclose information on its overall\u00a0plastic footprint<\/a>. When Walmart is more transparent than Whole Foods on plastics, that should give customers pause.

Note: Greenpeace evaluated Whole Foods Market\u2019s operations. Whole Foods must leverage its brand and all plastic reduction initiatives to ensure that its parent company Amazon.com complies with any changes overlapping with Whole Foods\u2019 operations. Additionally, Whole Foods must demand Amazon eliminate single-use packaging. The online retail has a massive role to play and so far is failing miserably.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

13. Trader Joe’s<\/h2><\/header>
Overall Score: 14.32\/100<\/div>

Policy: 17.39

<\/div>Reduction: 13.68
<\/div>Initiatives: 6.15
<\/div>Transparency: 16.13
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Stores & Banners
<\/strong>Trader Joe\u2019s

Score Breakdown
<\/strong>Trader Joe\u2019s joined Hy-Vee in dropping the most of any retailer following the 2019 ranking: nine spots. While Trader Joe\u2019s eliminated nearly\u00a06 million pounds of plastics<\/a>\u00a0in 2019 and more than\u00a02 million pounds<\/a>\u00a0in 2020, unfortunately it appears to be relying heavily on\u00a0material substitution\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0instead of\u00a0absolute reduction<\/a>\u00a0of\u00a0plastic packaging units<\/a>. Like ALDI, Trader Joe\u2019s sells nearly all\u00a0own brand<\/a>\u00a0items, and is squandering a unique opportunity to engage with its suppliers over packaging reductions. And, despite its initiatives, Trader Joe\u2019s lack of transparency continues to impact its score in this ranking.

Policy:<\/strong>\u00a0While Trader Joe\u2019s is working to reduce and remove plastic packaging, the retailer must create a public-facing policy that includes time-bound\u00a0absolute reduction\u00a0<\/a>targets to eliminate single-use plastics and achieve this via\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>. It\u2019s shocking that the retailer doesn\u2019t already have such a policy.

Reduction:<\/strong>\u00a0In 2019,\u00a0Trader Joe\u2019s eliminated nearly 6 million pounds of plastic<\/a>\u00a0by removing packaging and\u00a0material substitution\u00a0<\/a>(e.g.,\u00a0compostable plastic\u00a0<\/a>). However, it is unclear how much was eliminated versus replaced with other plastic packaging, and Trader Joe\u2019s appears to consider replacing virgin plastic with recycled plastic toward its 6-million pound reduction figure. Trader Joe\u2019s removed more than 2 million pounds of plastic in 2020. Unfortunately,\u00a0switching from one single-use material to another won\u2019t solve the pollution crisis<\/a>. Most of the U.S. is unable to process\u00a0compostables\u00a0<\/a>, so they end up in landfills, incinerators, or our environment.\u00a0Absolute reduction<\/a>\u00a0is the true path forward: Trader Joe\u2019s must lead.

Initiatives:<\/strong>\u00a0Trader Joe\u2019s is working with its\u00a0own brand<\/a>\u00a0suppliers to avoid certain types of plastics, but this is just scratching the surface on what it could be doing. The retailer needs to invest in and massively scale up\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>. Years ago, the retailer had bulk sections. It\u2019s time to reinvest in bulk and encourage customers to bring their own reusable containers.\u00a0Reusables continue to be safe and doable<\/a>.

Transparency:<\/strong>\u00a0Trader Joe\u2019s did a decent job reporting on its\u00a02019 progress<\/a>, but offered a more limited\u00a02020 report<\/a>. As noted before, it needs to be more specific with how much packaging is being eliminated versus how much is merely being\u00a0replaced with other throwaway material<\/a>. The retailer\u2019s customers expect to know how it\u2019s doing, so Trader Joe\u2019s should be up front about its\u00a0plastic footprint<\/a>.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

16. Hy-Vee<\/h2><\/header>
Overall Score: 11.48\/100<\/div>

Policy: 11.96

<\/div>Reduction: 10.26
<\/div>Initiatives: 16.92
<\/div>Transparency: 9.68
<\/div>
Stores & Banners
<\/strong>Hy-Vee \u2022 Hy-Vee Drugstore \u2022 Fast & Fresh \u2022 Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh Express \u2022 Mainstreet \u2022 HealthMarket \u2022 DollarFresh

Score Breakdown
<\/strong>Hy-Vee made a name for itself in seafood sustainability, but surprisingly, given that one truckload worth of plastic enters our oceans every minute, this retailer has failed to rise to the challenge of eliminating single-use plastics. Hy-Vee joins Trader Joe\u2019s by dropping a whopping nine spots this year.

Policy:<\/strong>\u00a0Hy-Vee has no public policy nor commitments to eliminate single-use plastics and transition to\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>. While it has some internal initiatives, including encouraging its suppliers to take action on single-use plastics, the details remain unclear.

Reduction:<\/strong>\u00a0Hy-Vee is replacing single-use plastic items with\u00a0compostable\u00a0<\/a>alternatives in its caf\u00e9s, delis, bulk foods section, and convenience stores. Unfortunately,\u00a0swapping one throwaway material for another<\/a>\u00a0will continue to mean more single-use packaging in landfills, incinerators, and our environment.

Initiatives:<\/strong>\u00a0Hy-Vee is part of the Beyond the Bag initiative, though hopefully the retailer will commit to eliminating\u00a0all<\/em>\u00a0plastic bags in its stores. Upon learning more about the dangerous\u00a0Hefty EnergyBag Program<\/a>, Hy-Vee should be commended for discontinuing its participation in this program. The retailer needs to supercharge its efforts by scaling up\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>.

Transparency:<\/strong>\u00a0Hy-Vee has not committed to sharing its overall\u00a0plastic footprint<\/a>. As retailers like Walmart have, it\u2019s time for Hy-Vee to join the pack. Only then will its customers know if Hy-Vee is taking meaningful action to eliminate its single-use plastic packaging.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

19. WinCo Foods<\/h2><\/header>
Overall Score: 2.65\/100<\/div>

Policy: 4.35

<\/div>Reduction: 1.71
<\/div>Initiatives: 3.08
<\/div>Transparency: 3.23
<\/div>
Stores & Banners
<\/strong>WinCo Foods \u2022 Waremart by WinCo

Score Breakdown
<\/strong>WinCo dropped two spots and is second to last in this ranking. In one of the very few things\u00a0WinCo posts online<\/a>\u00a0about sustainability, it claims, \u201cThe future looks greener at WinCo Foods.\u201d We sure don\u2019t see it.

Policy:<\/strong>\u00a0WinCo lacks a comprehensive, time-bound public policy or commitments to eliminate single-use plastics and transition to\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>.

Reduction:<\/strong>\u00a0WinCo has zero noteworthy plastic reduction efforts.

Initiatives:<\/strong>\u00a0WinCo continues to miss a massive opportunity on\u00a0reuse and refill<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0prohibiting customers<\/a>\u00a0from using their own containers for its bulk section. WinCo should learn from Sprouts on permitting customers to bring their own containers, and should read the following documents, emailed to it in 2020:\u00a0The Making of An Echo Chamber<\/em><\/a>,\u00a0Circular Claims Fall Flat<\/a><\/em>, the\u00a0health statement on the safety of reuse<\/a>, and\u00a0Reusables Are Doable<\/em><\/a>. WinCo must immediately develop and launch a comprehensive plan to eliminate single-use plastics and scale up\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>.

Transparency:<\/strong>\u00a0WinCo isn\u2019t even remotely transparent about its overall\u00a0plastic footprint<\/a>, and has yet to publicly demonstrate that it\u2019s even aware that plastics are a problem. Its website and public communications are severely lacking.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

8. Ahold Delhaize<\/h2><\/header>
Overall Score: 16.78\/100<\/div>

Policy: 18.48

<\/div>Reduction: 16.24
<\/div>Initiatives: 16.92
<\/div>Transparency: 16.13
<\/div>
Stores & Banners
<\/strong>Stop & Shop \u2022 Giant \u2022 Giant Food \u2022 Food Lion \u2022 Hannaford

Score Breakdown
<\/strong>Ahold Delhaize moved up from 13th place in 2019; however, it continues to underperform due to a lack of information provided publicly and for refusing to participate in the survey process. This retailer seems to have good intentions, but until it shares more, the world will never know.

Policy:<\/strong>\u00a0Another\u00a0EMF Global Commitment\u00a0<\/a>signatory means another commitment for 100% reusable, recyclable, or\u00a0compostable\u00a0<\/a>own brand<\/a>\u00a0plastic packaging by 2025. Will Ahold Delhaize make a majority of its packaging\u00a0reusable<\/a>, or will it rely on\u00a0false solutions<\/a>\u00a0like other throwaway packaging? This retailer must\u00a0join Giant Eagle<\/a>\u00a0and commit to eliminate single-use plastics and go further with a specific, time-bound\u00a0reuse and refill goal<\/a>.

Reduction:<\/strong>\u00a0Aside from\u00a0purportedly avoiding more than 11.4 million<\/a>\u00a0single-use checkout bags (based on the number of reusable bags its Food Lion banner has sold since 2013), Ahold Delhaize has nothing else significant to offer on reduction, especially since customers can still choose single-use plastic bags at the checkout. Ahold Delhaize has largely focused on recycling, but as recycling markets have collapsed and essentially\u00a0RICs #1 and #2 are the only plastics accepted in the U.S.<\/a>, Ahold Delhaize needs to commit to\u00a0eliminating single-use plastic packaging altogether<\/a>.

Initiatives:<\/strong>\u00a0Ahold Delhaize works on packaging issues with FMI (the food industry association<\/a>) and the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, though it remains to be seen if the retailer will invest in and massively scale up\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>. This is the most important work it can and should be doing.

Transparency:<\/strong>\u00a0Ahold Delhaize should be providing public updates in line with its\u00a0EMF Global Commitment<\/a>, rather than keeping that information private. Forget sharing\u00a0recycling figures<\/a>. Let\u2019s hear from Ahold Delhaize about its\u00a0plastic footprint<\/a>\u00a0so the public can track its progress and hold it accountable for reducing its overall plastic use.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

11. Southeastern<\/h2><\/header>
Overall Score: 14.79\/100<\/div>

Policy: 13.04

<\/div>Reduction: 12.82
<\/div>Initiatives: 12.31
<\/div>Transparency: 27.42
<\/div>
Stores & Banners
<\/strong>BI-LO \u2022 Harveys Supermarket \u2022 Winn-Dixie \u2022 Fresco y M\u00e1s

Score Breakdown
<\/strong>Southeastern Grocers increased its score and moved up three spots this year largely due to greater transparency with Greenpeace, a greater companywide focus on plastics, and work underway to eliminate various single-use plastics. This progress provides a case for optimism, despite its current spot in the rankings.

Policy:<\/strong>\u00a0Southeastern Grocers has internal initiatives, though lacks a time-bound public commitment or policy to eliminate single-use plastics and transition to\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives.<\/a>

Reduction:<\/strong>\u00a0The retailer has ongoing initiatives to reduce unrecyclable plastics like expanded\u00a0polystyrene<\/a>\u00a0and straws and is looking to address single-use plastic bags. These are baby steps. Southeastern Grocers needs a bold public policy to eliminate all single-use plastics in order to tackle the scale of the pollution crisis.

Initiatives:<\/strong>\u00a0Southeastern Grocers has historically had limited engagement with its suppliers to shift away from single-use packaging, though this should change as it develops and implements its plans. The retailer does not appear to be involved in any initiatives at the industry or policy level. Southeastern Grocers has an opportunity to engage in multistakeholder initiatives such as those led by the\u00a0Ocean Plastic Leadership Network<\/a>\u00a0and FMI (the food industry association<\/a>). It should back\u00a0the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act<\/a>\u00a0and a\u00a0global plastics treaty<\/a>, and engage its\u00a0own brand<\/a>\u00a0and national brand suppliers, like Nestl\u00e9, to phase out single-use plastics and switch to\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>.

Transparency:<\/strong>\u00a0Southeastern Grocers scored better than most retailers in this category. While it shared some information with Greenpeace on its overall\u00a0plastic footprint<\/a>, it must also publicly share this information and progress updates on its efforts to eliminate single-use plastics.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

14. Meijer<\/h2><\/header>
Overall Score: 13.69\/100<\/div>

Policy: 13.04

<\/div>Reduction: 12.82
<\/div>Initiatives: 18.46
<\/div>Transparency: 12.90
<\/div>
Stores & Banners
<\/strong>Meijer \u2022 Bridge Street Market \u2022 Capital City Market

Score Breakdown
<\/strong>Meijer jumped four spots this year, buoyed by greater transparency and various initiatives. Things are looking up for this Midwest retailer, though it desperately needs a comprehensive, time-bound public policy prioritizing\u00a0absolute reduction targets<\/a>\u00a0of single-use plastics and major investments in\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>.

Policy:<\/strong>\u00a0Meijer\u00a0has a goal<\/a>\u00a0of 100% recyclable, reusable, or\u00a0compostable\u00a0<\/a>own brand<\/a>\u00a0packaging by 2025. It\u2019s encouraging to now see a goal, as Meijer didn\u2019t indicate having one in the last ranking; however, as with Walmart, Target, Kroger, Ahold Delhaize, and Albertsons Companies, the public is left to wonder what this actually means. Will 1% of Meijer\u2019s packaging become\u00a0reusable<\/a>\u00a0and the rest be throwaway? Meijer has an opportunity to\u00a0join Giant Eagle<\/a>\u00a0by committing to eliminate single-use plastics altogether.

Reduction:<\/strong>\u00a0Meijer has some basic\u00a0recycling\u00a0<\/a>initiatives, is engaging its suppliers further up the supply chain (e.g., seafood suppliers eliminating expanded\u00a0polystyrene<\/a>), and is working to meet its 2025 goals. The retailer needs to share more specifics with the public. Meijer was the strongest retailer in terms of having sustainable packaging guidelines and a plan to monitor and require compliance from its suppliers.

Initiatives:<\/strong>\u00a0Meijer is part of the Beyond the Bag initiative. Let\u2019s hope the retailer moves swiftly to eliminate all plastic bags throughout its stores. The retailer has a unique feature on its loyalty app to remind customers to bring their reusable bags inside with them when they approach a Meijer store. The retailer is putting\u00a0recyclability<\/a>\u00a0labels on its products, though with the collapse of U.S. recycling markets\u00a0fueled in part by a glut of natural gas<\/a>, most plastics will continue to end up in landfills, incinerators, and our environment. Time to ditch plastics. Period.

Transparency:<\/strong>\u00a0There\u2019s no indication of Meijer\u2019s\u00a0plastic footprint<\/a>\u00a0and very little information besides its\u00a0recycling<\/a>\u00a0initiatives on\u00a0its website<\/a>. With its updated policy and work companywide to address the plastic pollution crisis, it\u2019s high time for Meijer to ramp up its online and in-store communications on reduction efforts.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

17. Save Mart<\/h2><\/header>
Overall Score: 7.06\/100<\/div>

Policy: 9.78

<\/div>Reduction: 6.84
<\/div>Initiatives: 9.23
<\/div>Transparency: 1.61
<\/div>
Stores & Banners
<\/strong>Save Mart \u2022 S-Mart Foods \u2022 Lucky \u2022 Lucky California \u2022 FoodMaxx \u2022 MaxxValue Foods

Score Breakdown
<\/strong>Save Mart is struggling. The retailer dropped five spots to finish in the bottom quarter of this ranking. Save Mart appears to have initiatives, and disclosed several of them to Greenpeace for our 2019 ranking. But then the retailer went dark. Save Mart\u2019s lack of transparency is a problem and leaves questions about what it is doing to mitigate the pollution from its plastic packaging.

Policy:<\/strong>\u00a0Save Mart doesn\u2019t have a comprehensive public policy to eliminate single-use plastics and transition to\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>.

Reduction:<\/strong>\u00a0Save Mart has some initiatives (e.g., bulk food pilots, eliminating\u00a0polystyrene<\/a>\u00a0in some stores), but it lacks a comprehensive strategy to eliminate single-use plastics. Save Mart\u2019s initiatives largely focus on\u00a0recycling<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0switching from single-use plastics to other throwaway materials<\/a>. And given the retailer\u2019s poor transparency, the status of its reduction efforts remains unclear.

Initiatives:<\/strong>\u00a0With little explanation,\u00a0Save Mart actually thanked the governor of California<\/a>\u00a0for temporarily lifting its plastic bag ban. Save Mart was on notice about the plastic industry\u2019s exploitation of COVID-19 to promote single-use plastics (see\u00a0Greenpeace\u2019s research brief<\/a>, emailed to the retailer). Any retailer delaying or rolling back reusable systems and citing the pandemic should consult\u00a0this health statement<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Reusables Are Doable<\/a><\/em>.

Transparency:<\/strong>\u00a0Save Mart needs to publicly disclose its\u00a0plastic footprint<\/a>\u00a0and share more information publicly regarding its efforts to eliminate single-use plastics. The retailer\u2019s customers and decision makers expect greater transparency and communications about its corporate social responsibility.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

20. H-E-B<\/h2><\/header>
Overall Score: 1.55\/100<\/div>

Policy: 2.17

<\/div>Reduction: 0.85
<\/div>Initiatives: 1.54
<\/div>Transparency: 3.23
<\/div>
Stores & Banners
<\/strong>H-E-B \u2022 H-E-B Plus! \u2022 Mi Tienda \u2022 Joe V’s Smart Shop \u2022 Central Market

Score Breakdown
<\/strong>Congrats, H-E-B: In this second ranking, you\u2019re yet again the worst-ranked retailer for failing to take bold action to eliminate single-use plastics. H-E-B is similar to Publix in many ways: private company, loyal customer base, and highly adept at greenwashing and failing customers, communities, and our planet.

Policy:<\/strong>\u00a0H-E-B doesn\u2019t have a comprehensive, time-bound public policy or commitments to eliminate single-use plastics and transition to\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>.

Reduction:<\/strong>\u00a0H-E-B talks about recycling and reusable bags, but as many of its peers at least attempt to set time-bound goals prioritizing reductions, H-E-B has remained silent. It should consult the February 2020 email from Greenpeace and read\u00a0Circular Claims Fall Flat<\/a><\/em>, which documents the failures of plastics recycling in the U.S.

Initiatives:<\/strong>\u00a0Greenpeace couldn\u2019t find any innovative efforts undertaken or planned by H-E-B.

Transparency:<\/strong>\u00a0Practically no useful public information is available on H-E-B\u2019s policies, initiatives, or\u00a0plastic footprint<\/a>. The retailer has an almost singular focus on\u00a0recycling<\/a>, despite this being an ineffective\u00a0strategy<\/a>\u00a0to tackle the plastic pollution crisis.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

9. Wegmans<\/h2><\/header>
Overall Score: 15.45\/100<\/div>

Policy: 17.39

<\/div>Reduction: 14.53
<\/div>Initiatives: 16.92
<\/div>Transparency: 14.52
<\/div>
Stores & Banners
<\/strong>Wegmans

Score Breakdown
<\/strong>Wegmans remains a disappointment. As a family-owned company, it has a legacy to protect. Right now it is opting for greenwashing tactics such as\u00a0lightweighting<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0material substitution<\/a>, rather than eliminating single-use plastics and scaling up\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>. Perhaps Wegmans will\u00a0take some inspiration from Giant Eagle<\/a>\u00a0and raise the ambition of its packaging goals.

Policy:<\/strong>\u00a0Rather than commit to eliminate single-use plastics, Wegmans aims to reduce its plastic packaging by 10 million pounds by 2024. Before celebrating, know that Wegmans will attain this goal \u201cto a large extent<\/a>\u201d through\u00a0material substitution<\/a>.\u00a0Trader Joe\u2019s eliminated nearly 6 million pounds of plastic in 2019, alone<\/a>. Time for Wegmans to think bigger.

Reduction:<\/strong>\u00a0Wegmans wants to avoid fossil fuel-based plastics, and claims to have\u00a0avoided more than 6 million pounds<\/a>\u00a0of them since 2016. But its focus on\u00a0bioplastics<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0recycled content<\/a>\u00a0in its packaging is woefully insufficient, given the scale of the plastic pollution crisis. Wegmans must focus on\u00a0eliminating single-use plastic packaging units<\/a>\u00a0from its stores, not just\u00a0replacing one throwaway item with another<\/a>.

Initiatives:<\/strong>\u00a0Wegmans created a\u00a0savvy media moment<\/a>\u00a0by announcing it would remove single-use plastic checkout bags from its New York State stores, just before the state plastic bag ban went into effect. The retailer should ban all plastic bags at the checkout across all of its stores. Wegmans needs to set an ambitious, time-bound public goal\u00a0prioritizing reduction<\/a>,\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>.

Transparency:<\/strong>\u00a0Wegmans\u2019 various claims about its plastic reduction efforts can\u2019t be verified, since it doesn\u2019t provide any information on its overall\u00a0plastic footprint<\/a>.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

12. Target<\/h2><\/header>
Overall Score: 14.35\/100<\/div>

Policy: 18.48

<\/div>Reduction: 13.68
<\/div>Initiatives: 12.31
<\/div>Transparency: 12.90
<\/div>
Stores & Banners
<\/strong>Target

Score Breakdown
<\/strong>Target\u2019s score didn\u2019t drop by much, but as other retailers improved, it fell from 8th place in 2019. Amid\u00a0petitions<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0public campaigns<\/a>\u00a0to ditch single-use plastics, Target is doing exactly the opposite of listening to its guests. The retailer keeps churning out polluting plastic packaging and relying on\u00a0false solutions<\/a>\u00a0that reek of greenwashing. Try again, Target.

Policy:<\/strong>\u00a0As a signatory of the\u00a0EMF Global Commitment<\/a>, Target has pledged a\u00a0series of initiatives<\/a>, including reduction,\u00a0recyclability<\/a>, and reporting on its progress. But the retailer falls way behind the top-ranked Giant Eagle because Target\u2019s plan fails to comprehensively eliminate single-use plastics.

Reduction:<\/strong>\u00a0Target plans to eliminate expanded\u00a0polystyrene<\/a>\u00a0from its\u00a0own brand<\/a>\u00a0packaging by 2022 and is purportedly working on other plastics like PVC. But will it\u00a0replace them with other throwaway materials<\/a>? The retailer has goals to increase recycled content, but doesn\u2019t seem to recognize that\u00a0most plastics aren\u2019t recyclable<\/a>\u00a0in the U.S. Unlike Kroger, Target has not committed to eliminate its plastic checkout bags.

Initiatives:<\/strong>\u00a0Target participates in the misguided Beyond the Bag initiative, when it should just ban the single-use plastic bag. Whole Foods ditched plastic checkout bags in 2008, so Target\u2019s excuses hold no water. Target lost points for its participation in the American Chemistry Council-backed initiative \u201cMaterials Recovery for the Future.\u201d\u00a0There\u2019s no way to recycle our way out of the plastic pollution crisis<\/a>: Target must ditch plastics and massively invest in\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>. Pilots alone won\u2019t cut it.

Transparency:<\/strong>\u00a0While Target should provide public updates in line with its\u00a0EMF Global Commitment<\/a>, the retailer has sneakily opted to\u00a0only<\/em>\u00a0report its\u00a0plastic footprint<\/a>\u00a0directly to EMF<\/a>. Yet another Target fail. Even Walmart shares its\u00a0plastic footprint<\/a>\u00a0publicly.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

15. Publix<\/h2><\/header>
Overall Score: 12.36\/100<\/div>

Policy: 11.96

<\/div>Reduction: 13.68
<\/div>Initiatives: 13.85
<\/div>Transparency: 6.45
<\/div>
Stores & Banners
<\/strong>Publix \u2022 Publix Sabor \u2022 GreenWise Market

Score Breakdown
<\/strong>Publix\u2019s score improved slightly but it is still near the bottom of the barrel. The Florida-based retailer continues to be an example of greenwashing, shrouded behind a new and splashy sustainability focus on its website and a feel-good brand that seems content on\u00a0fueling the climate and plastic pollution crisis<\/a>\u00a0with excessive plastic packaging and failed leadership. So much for Publix\u2019s commitment to being \u201cintolerant of waste<\/a>.\u201d

Policy:<\/strong>\u00a0Fail: Publix doesn\u2019t have a time-bound, public policy to\u00a0eliminate single-use plastics<\/a>\u00a0and transition to\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>.

Reduction:<\/strong>\u00a0Queue the slow clap. Some of Publix\u2019s groundbreaking efforts include swapping plastic stirrers for wooden ones in its company break rooms, recycling buckets used by its bakeries, and removing the plastic sleeves that were used to ship mops.\u00a0While there are more examples<\/a>, they are minimal at best.

Initiatives:<\/strong>\u00a0Publix supports pro-plastics lobby groups<\/a>\u00a0(like the Florida Retail Federation) that have\u00a0threatened legal action<\/a>\u00a0against communities fighting to protect themselves from the scourge of single-use plastics. This seems in contrast to its value to be \u201cInvolved as responsible citizens in our communities<\/a>.\u201d Rather than blocking action on plastic, Publix should drop the Florida Retail Federation and publicly support\u00a0the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act<\/a>. That would show actual leadership that upholds Publix\u2019s purported values espousing responsibility.

Transparency:<\/strong>\u00a0Yet again, no information is available on Publix\u2019s overall\u00a0plastic footprint<\/a>, nor any kind of commitments that feature a transparency or accountability component.
<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

18. Wakefern<\/h2><\/header>
Overall Score: 4.19\/100<\/div>

Policy: 5.43

<\/div>Reduction: 2.56
<\/div>Initiatives: 4.62
<\/div>Transparency: 8.06
<\/div>
Stores & Banners
<\/strong>ShopRite \u2022 Price Rite Marketplace \u2022 The Fresh Grocer \u2022 Dearborn Market

Score Breakdown
<\/strong>Wakefern moved up one spot this year to break the 4% threshold. Sadly, Wakefern is yet another large retailer that appears to be doing next to nothing to address its role in the plastic pollution crisis.\u00a0Recycling and recyclability<\/a>\u00a0labels just won\u2019t cut it.

Policy:<\/strong>\u00a0Wakefern doesn\u2019t have a comprehensive, time-bound public policy or commitments to eliminate single-use plastics and transition to\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>.

Reduction:<\/strong>\u00a0Wakefern has nothing significant to note regarding its efforts to eliminate single-use plastics. The retailer does, however, have a\u00a0feel-good video<\/a>\u00a0on sustainability to give the impression that it is doing its part.

Initiatives:<\/strong>\u00a0Wakefern is working with How2Recycle to put recyclability information on plastic packaging; however, just because something is called\u00a0recyclable\u00a0<\/a>doesn\u2019t mean it will be. Wakefern should consult\u00a0Circular Claims Fall Flat<\/a><\/em>, which Greenpeace emailed to the retailer in February 2020.\u00a0Recycling won\u2019t solve the plastic pollution crisis<\/a>. Wakefern must eliminate single-use plastics and embrace\u00a0reuse, refill, and package-free alternatives<\/a>.

Transparency:<\/strong>\u00a0Practically no useful public information is available on Wakefern\u2019s policies, initiatives, or\u00a0plastic footprint<\/a>.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

How we ranked supermarkets<\/h2>\n\n

Greenpeace obtained information from supermarkets through a standardized 21-question survey, email and phone conversations, and publicly available information. We scored supermarkets based on their performance in four categories:<\/p>\n\n

\n
\n

Policy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Does the supermarket have a comprehensive public policy to mitigate its plastic footprint and transition away from single-use plastics to more sustainable product delivery systems? Does it clearly define and enforce rigorous standards with its suppliers to remove problematic packaging and reduce its plastic footprint?

<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Reduction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Does the supermarket have a time-bound commitment to reduce \u2014 and ultimately phase out \u2014 single-use plastics? Is it working to reduce the number of items packaged in plastic? Is it moving beyond initial steps like banning plastic bags or straws and working toward significant reductions in its plastic footprint?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n

Initiatives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How is the supermarket engaging multiple stakeholders, including its suppliers, to implement alternatives to single-use plastics? Is it shifting toward reuse, refill, and package-free delivery systems? Is it working to transform its operations or engaging in greenwashing that prevents meaningful progress?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Transparency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How does the supermarket communicate to its customers and the public its policies and information about its single-use plastic footprint? Beyond reporting general updates, does the supermarket publicly report its overall plastic footprint and its actions to shift from single-use plastics?
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