100% Renewable Energy Use

• Electricity: 100% Renewable
• Natural Gas: Renewable Natural Gas through the Energy Co-op.
• Reuse of Heat: We capture the discharged heat from the refrigeration systems in our Ambler, Chestnut Hill and Germantown stores in order to conserve energy while heating the store and our hot water.
• Our stores utilize all LED lighting, including our refrigerated display cases.
• We have two free EV charging stations for electric cars at our Ambler store.
• Our Germantown store has solar panels and the Co-op is investigating the possibility of having solar at our Ambler store, too.

Commitment to Plastic Reduction

• Since 1973, the Co-op has never provided plastic bags at checkout.
• Shoppers are invited to use and traditionally rely on boxes recycled from product shipments.
• Substitution of biodegradable paper for plastic packaging when possible.
• To combat the overuse of plastics, co-op members formed the Plastics Reduction Task Force (PRTF) in 2017 as a subcommittee of the Environment Committee (WWEC). This committee advocates for ways to minimize the Co-op’s dependence on plastic in accordance with its mission.
• The Co-op has also launched programs like the Container Refund Program (CRP) and Choose to Reuse to encourage members to decrease their use of single-use plastics.

A Focus on Local and Sustainable Products

• We have a farm at Awbury Arboretum and W.B. Saul Agricultural High School. The produce we grow on these two farms supply our stores, as well as a CSA program. This produce travels very few miles to get to our stores!
• Half of our “costs of goods” go to local vendors: Our vendors represent a diverse group of farmers and producers, creating biodiversity in our landscape as well as on our store shelves.
• We rely on farmers that use sustainable farming practices, whether Integrated Pest Management, no-till, or organic-certified.
• We have extensive local and sustainable meat and seafood products.

Extensive Bulk Shopping Opportunities

• Our bulk program allows for customers to shop with reusable containers or bags, reducing the use of plastic and other packaging.
• Bulk shopping is available for a variety of products, including: traditional items such as grains, flours, and coffees; cooking liquids, sweeteners, nut butters, and vinegars; health and beauty items; household cleaning options; and more! Find out how to shop bulk here.
• A "Jar Library" is maintained in all stores from which shoppers may use a clean jar to shop bulk. The Plastic Reductions Task Force maintains this library and ensures the jars are clean and ready to use!

Additional Environmental Efforts

• Reuse of building materials and we use sustainable design and building materials in our store renovations.
• Bike racks
• We compost vegetable food waste at our Saul Farm and recycle cooking oil from our own kitchen operations.
• We collect and dispose of hazardous waste accumulated while maintaining our stores via the City of Philadelphia's hazardous waste recycling events.
• We donate perfectly good but unsellable food to Germantown Pickup and other non-profit organizations. This cuts down food waste, a significant greenhouse gas source, and distributes food that might otherwise be tossed to those who can use it.