We are passionate about building stronger and healthier communities and that's why we are focused on improving our environmental impact. Our focus centers around these key areas:
Waste
Our goal is to divert 90% of waste from landfills by 2025
Carbon Emissions
We’re working toward achieving 50% carbon neutrality by 2030 and net zero carbon emissions by 2040
Plastics
We’re targeting the elimination of all single-use plastics from our operations by 2025
We created Full Plates Zero Waste so we can help ensure that our neighbors have access to fresh, healthy meals AND so we can take steps to reduce food waste by connecting neighbors in need with nutritious food before it's no longer edible.
One in seven people across our communities is food insecure, while nearly 40% of food produced in the U.S. goes to waste.
In total, we aim to donate 80 million meals between 2021 and 2025, with a major part of this goal driven by partnerships with organizations that can get food to people who need it and keep it out of the landfill.
To improve our impact on the climate, Giant Eagle is working to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040, with an initial target of 50% carbon dioxide reduction by 2030.
The Roadmap to Net Zero Carbon
In the past eight years alone, Giant Eagle has demonstrated our leadership by reducing carbon dioxide emitted throughout our operation by 22%. This was accomplished through numerous efforts, including the conversion of approximately 70% of our truck fleet to alternative energy, LED retrofitting and more efficient heating and cooling.
Giant Eagle’s zero-carbon goal is inclusive of the electricity, refrigerant and fuel used to make its stores, retail support centers and corporate offices operate, as well as the energy needed to move goods and people with its truck fleet.
100 percent conversion of Giant Eagle’s 200-plus truck fleet to alternative energy
Infrastructure improvements that target carbon reduction and energy efficiency such as IOT solutions and greener HVAC systems
Smart lighting solutions that use automation and innovation
Investments into green energy solutions including direct green power purchasing agreements and other renewable power investments
Investments into negative emissions technologies which include carbon capture, soil sequestration and reforestation
Eliminating All Single-Use Plastics
At Giant Eagle, we know that many steps in the right direction help us all move forward. Even as COVID-19 has created barriers to eliminating our in-store single-use plastics, our company continues to reduce our plastic use elsewhere in our operations.
By reducing the use of plastic bags at checkout, designing more eco-friendly packaging and partnering with earth-friendly businesses, we’re able to divert significant waste from our landfills every single year.
Impactful Partnerships
We have partnered with vertical farming pioneer, Fifth Season, to reduce plastic packaging on leafy greens, lettuces and salad blends by 40% per package with a post-consumer, recycled bottom tray and top-seal film technology.
We have partnered with Cameron’s Coffee to bring in a line of EcoPods that use certified compostable plant-based materials like lids made from paper and a compostable ring made from corn and beets.
We are working with numerous beer partners and have brought in a number of breweries who use much more sustainable packaging and processes. One example is The Brew Kettle who uses biodegradable six-pack rings made out of spent grain from the brewing process.
In Beauty, a few amazing products we sell include zero-packaging soap from Zum, new shampoo bars from Love Beauty and Planet and biodegradable toothbrushes and oral care products from Humble Oral Care.
Innovative Giant Eagle Brand Packaging
Incorporating biodegradable compressed recycled paper in the outer packaging of our new Great to Go fresh meal kits
Updating our Giant Eagle and Nature’s Basket product assortment to new sustainable packaging that will be in stores soon.
We are proud of the work we’ve done, and we are excited about the path ahead.
Giant Eagle is grateful to our Team Members, guests, and all of our neighbors for their partnership in this important work.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is Giant Eagle eliminating plastic bags?
Each year, Americans use 100 billion single-use plastic bags. It takes all of us to address this national – and global – issue. As a retailer committed to the communities we serve, Giant Eagle is doing its part to reduce the global impact of single-use plastic bags and promote the use of environmentally- friendly reusable bags.
In December 2021, we proudly relaunched efforts to remove single-use plastic bags from registers within Giant Eagle supermarket, Market Districts and GetGo locations. GetGo has paved the way, already effectively eliminating plastic bags from all locations. GetGo’s efforts will divert 450,000 pounds or over 27 million plastic bags from landfills annually. In April 2022, Giant Eagle removed plastic bags from our Giant Eagle and Market District locations in Cuyahoga County (Cleveland), OH and Erie, PA. We are taking the next step by removing plastic bags from supermarket locations in Columbus OH, and Carmel, Indiana. As we continue to expand plastic bag elimination across our markets, we have the potential to prevent 6.5 million pounds of plastic bags from ever reaching landfills.
Why are Giant Eagle and Market District supermarkets charging for paper bags?
Paper bags are not the answer. We are happy to make paper bags available to Guests, but we will charge a fee per bag. Importantly, Guests paying with forms of government assistance will not be charged for.
Which Giant Eagle stores are participating in the elimination of single-use plastic bags?
All supermarkets in Cuyahoga County, Ohio and in and around Erie, Pennsylvania, Columbus, Ohio and Carmel, Indiana. Additionally, all GetGo stores have removed single-use plastic bags from all locations. As we move forward, we plan to roll this effort out to other markets. See full list of stores here.
Are plastic bags being eliminated from the entire store?
The focus is currently on single-use plastic bags at the checkout lanes, in-store cafes, and pharmacy checkout of participating Giant Eagle and Market District locations. Guests will continue to find plastic bags at the meat, seafood, and deli departments and other areas of the store.
