GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. - The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Meijer the GreenChill Program award for reducing refrigerant emissions across its stores in the last year. 

The retailer earned a Superior Achievement Award for reaching its refrigerant leak rate goal by installing leak detection systems, following robust maintenance policies and by proactively replacing end-of-life equipment at each of its stores. 

Meijer’s Grand River Ave., store in Detroit also earned Best of the Best recognition from the EPA for achieving the highest estimated avoided emissions among all GreenChill program stores. 

"Refrigeration plays a vital role in ensuring foods are stored at the proper temperature before they're purchased by our customers, but it makes an impact on the environment," said Vik Srinivasan, senior vice president of properties and real estate for Meijer. "Meijer is committed to lessening our carbon footprint, and this continued partnership with GreenChill helps us reach our environmentally-friendly goals." 

The EPA's GreenChill Program is a voluntary partnership with food retailers, refrigeration system manufacturers, and chemical manufacturers to reduce refrigerant emissions and decrease their environmental impacts.  

GreenChill provides supermarkets and other industry stakeholders with information and assistance to transition to environmentally friendlier refrigerants, reduce the amount of refrigerant they use, eliminate refrigerant leaks, implement environmental best practices, and adopt green refrigeration technologies. 

"Meijer's two GreenChill recognitions demonstrate their continued leadership in the supermarket industry," said Kirsten Cappel, GreenChill program manager. "We commend Meijer's sustained commitment to reducing refrigerant emissions across the company and in their GreenChill certified stores. Meijer's efforts are protecting the environment."