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.
Dear Stakeholders:
Message from the Vice Chairman
Fruition is a beautiful thing. That pivotal moment when hard laid plans click seamlessly into place and you finally begin to realize the rewards of years of careful planning and execution. Five years ago, we embarked on a systematic sustainability program that reinforces our commitment to being a good neighbor in the communities we serve. Since 2008 we have reduced our carbon footprint by more than 15 percent, despite expanding our store operations. In the last year alone we have saved $2.7 million by reducing our electricity usage and $2.5 million in landfill fees by recycling more than 51 million pounds of waste. Our team has been hard at work, evaluating ways to reduce our carbon footprint and lessen our impact on the environment with innovative new store designs and remodels to achieve greater efficiencies. We improved practices that conserve and protect our natural resources through initiatives like our enhanced closed-loop recycling programs that convert waxed cardboard and produce waste into new products sold in our stores. We continued our 100-year tradition of supporting local farms, working to stock our stores responsibly — bringing produce from farm to store shelves within 24 hours. And, we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering the communities we serve by taking care of our valued associates and supporting nonprofit and community organizations through volunteerism, monetary and in-kind donations. I would like to personally thank you for taking the time to read through this report highlighting our company’s breadth of sustainability programs and to learn more about our continuing goals and vision for a greener future. Sustainability is an ongoing process that we are committed to improving in the years and decades ahead. There is still much work to be done. A more sustainable environment is good business, plain and simple. It benefits our environment, customers, communities, associates and shareholders. We will continue to make smart business decisions that are measurable and sustainable, operating with a comprehensive approach to sustainability ever top of mind. Sincerely,
Jonathan H. Weis Vice Chairman
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Co-founder Harr
y Weis
Co-founder Sig mund Weis
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history Harry and Sigmund Weis founded Weis Markets in 1912, when they opened a small neighborhood store known as Weis Pure Foods on Market Street in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. Today, our company ranks among the top 50 food and drug retailers in the United States in generated revenues. We operate more than 160 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey and West Virginia, and employ more than 18,000 associates in our stores, distribution center, store support center and manufacturing facilities. For more than 100 years, Weis Markets and its associates have worked hard to offer our customers the best combination of value, quality and service. We are committed to reducing our environmental impact and to being good neighbors in the communities that we serve. Our sustainability strategy ensures that we are conducting business with the next 100 years in mind.
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reducing our carbon footprint
A carbon footprint is the “total set of greenhouse gas (GHG)
strategy is developed to reduce that footprint through
emissions caused by an organization, event, product or
technological developments, improved processes and better
person.” According to the United States Environmental
product management.
Protection Agency (EPA), greenhouse gases that trap heat and make our planet warmer have increased over the last 150 years, primarily due to human activities. The main sources of GHG emissions come from electricity production, transportation, refrigeration, industry, commercial and residential properties (typically from fossil fuels burned for heat, use of products containing GHGs and the handling of waste), agriculture, as well as land use and forestry.
Weis Markets completed its first GHG assessment in 2008, compliant with the World Resources Institute’s GHG Protocol Corporate Standard. The inventory accounts for all known Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions resulting from Weis Markets’ business operations and serves as its baseline report. We conducted a comprehensive audit of all our stores, warehouses and plants, analyzing our electricity, refrigeration emissions, gas and diesel fuel usage, fleet size
In the simplest terms, a carbon footprint is the measure of
and vehicle fuel consumption. Since then, we have been
the impact we have on the environment that is taken by
working to increase the efficiency of our stores’ operations
assessing the amount of carbon dioxide or other GHGs
systems and have incorporated energy-efficiency measures
we emit in our day-to-day activities and operations. For an
to lower our energy consumption, fossil fuel dependence and
organization, this is done by undergoing a GHG emissions
carbon emissions.
assessment to identify the size of its footprint. Then, a
Over the past five years we have reduced our carbon footprint by 15.5 percent.
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Weis Markets GHG Emissions By Source, 2008–2012
400,000
GHG Emissions (tonnes CO2e)
337,225
318,774
1 5 . 5 % Lo Emissiower than 20 ns 08
324,869 293,664
300,000 112, 391
95,252
95,030 6 7, 1 7 3
18,979
200,000
100,000
0
19,942
284,914
19,806 14,080
19 ,761
19 ,73 2
11,886
12,653
193 ,968
190,928
195,952
191 ,670
188,804
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Refrigerant Losses (HFC, CFC & HCFC)
Vehicle Fuel Combustion (Gasoline & Diesel)
15,060
61 ,616
Facility Fuel Combustion (Natural Gas & LPG)
1 4 ,76 2
Facility Electricity Consumption
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green design
initiate ™
Store Design and Remodels
Achieving LEED® Certification
Weis Markets’ sustainability program begins from the
A crowning achievement in new store design is our
ground up with the design and remodeling of our stores.
Fogelsville location in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania,
We continually conduct research to analyze and implement
which opened its doors in December 2012. The 65,800
state-of-the-art technologies and building systems to
square-foot superstore will be the first LEED-certified Weis
improve the performance of our new and existing stores.
Markets’ store. To achieve the USGBC’s LEED certification,
Armed with this research data, we seek the opportunity to
the supermarket measurably reduces its environmental
replace existing plumbing, HVAC systems, lighting and
impact in the areas of sustainable site development, water
energy management technology with new specifications
savings, energy efficiency, material selection and indoor
that reduce water consumption and conserve energy use. In
environmental quality.
fact, in 2012 we successfully completed 30 lighting projects, upgrading fixtures to T-8 and T-5 ECO bulbs. These upgrades will save nearly 4.8 million kilowatt hours each year, which is equivalent to planting 245,500 trees annually.
The store was built with 30 percent recycled materials and utilizes advanced refrigeration and climate control technologies designed to lessen its impact on the environment and global warming. It has a number of
Through the guidelines established by the U.S. Green
energy-reducing technologies, including solar/thermal
Building Council (USGBC) and its LEED® (Leadership in
rated windows, reflective roofs that reduce coolant needs
Energy and Environmental Design) certification program,
in the summer and LED lighting and skylights for natural
we have implemented sustainable development principles
lighting that reduce energy usage. It also features a
to design sites and buildings that use resources such as
concrete floor that is cleaned with ionized water, resulting
energy, water, materials and land more efficiently.
in chemical-free cleaning and easier maintenance. Overall, this location uses 30 percent less energy than a conventional supermarket and 60 percent less refrigerant.
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Water Consumption Weis Markets’ restrooms incorporate water-efficient plumbing fixtures and accessories. The low-flow toilets, faucets and sensor technology allow us to realize significant water savings on average of 30 percent. We also use local/native landscape plantings at our stores, eliminating the need for irrigation systems.
Refrigeration Weis Markets participates in the EPA’s GreenChill program, which monitors refrigerant usage to help reduce the overall environmental impact on the ozone layer and climate change. In 2010, our Hanover store was the first supermarket in the entire state of Pennsylvania to earn a certification award from GreenChill. In 2012, Weis Markets was presented with three GreenChill Environmental Achievement Awards, including “Most Improved Emissions Rate Award,” the “Superior Environmental Achievement Award” and the “Exceptional Environmental Achievement Award.” These awards recognize our company as one of the best in the nation for reducing greenhouse gas emissions with our leak detection program and efficient refrigeration systems designs. We continue to implement refrigeration systems to meet GreenChill standards with the goal of achieving GreenChill certifications for our remodeled and new stores.
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Energy Energy consumption is the largest expense to our company
provide appropriate light levels throughout our hours of
and, as such, we are always improving our store design
operation and LED lighting systems for external signs, exit
and operations to uncover ways to reduce our costs while
signs, frozen food cases and walk-in cooler boxes. Motion
lessening our impact on the environment.
sensors are also used to turn lighting off in refrigerated food
We employ a variety of new technologies to reduce our overall energy consumption, including the implementation of Energy Management Systems, which continuously control and monitor refrigeration, HVAC and lighting systems, ensuring all building systems operate at peak
cases when not in use by customers, as well as in public restrooms when vacant. Anti-sweat controls are used in refrigerated glass door cases to eliminate condensation from forming on the glass, which also lowers case energy usage.
efficiency. We use high-efficiency fluorescent lighting to
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Distribution Center We operate a 1.1 million square-foot distribution center in Milton, Pennsylvania, which serves as the central location for the Weis Markets’ fleet that supplies all 160+ stores in our five-state service area. In recent years we upgraded our lighting system which has helped us reduce our energy consumption by 30 percent. We recently completed a detailed study of R-22 refrigerant replacement in the center’s two refrigerant systems and subsequently embarked on a replacement plan that will phase out our use of R-22 in favor of ammonia, which is an environmentally compatible refrigerant that has no ozone depletion potential, by the end of 2013. Our distribution center also manages and processes all the tons of recycled materials collected at our stores, headquarters and manufacturing facilities.
Energy Awareness Program Every Weis Markets store has an assigned Energy Captain to help educate other associates on the importance of energy conservation. This is done through peer-to-peer learning activities and effective signage in back-of-store areas. Our stores save an average of 3 percent annually on energy costs with simple associate engagement practices. This program shares the principles of sustainability with all our associates throughout the company, from entry-level to upper management, and emphasizes the importance of conserving energy for the company and the environment.
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Transportation Weis Markets maintains a large fleet of owned and leased
shifting, as well as right-size load programs, routing
vehicles including cars, small trucks and tractor trailers.
software designed to reduce overall mileage and idling
Our more than 130 tractors and 420 trailers typically
times, aerodynamic side skirts on new trailers and fuel-
traverse more than 10 million miles every year to supply
efficient or low-roll tires.
our 160+ stores from our distribution center in Milton, Pennsylvania. To responsibly manage our fleet, we purchase biodiesel fuel, a renewable biodegradable, cleaner-burning fuel and have incorporated a number of conservation measures and technologies into our fleet management and operations. These measures include fuel conservation tactics such as capping maximum tractor speed to 62 MPH and establishing an RPM threshold to promote progressive
We are a proud partner of EPA’s SmartWayŽ program designed to help organizations improve fuel efficiency, increase environmental performance and encourage supply chain sustainability. The SmartWay program enhances our efforts and offers us insights on emerging programs and technologies that help us build on our progress to conserve resources.
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w ei
conserve
The environment needs all our helping hands to conserve and protect its vital natural resources, some of which are basic needs such as fresh food and others that are used to make the man-made products we consume on a daily basis. At Weis Markets, we aim to provide our associates and customers with products and processes that allow them to participate in our efforts to preserve these natural resources. This includes providing recycling opportunities that are convenient and effective, development of closedloop products, using sustainable packaging and increasing our conservation efforts across the board. Together, with the help of our associates and customers, we are finding that we can make a difference and reduce our environmental footprint.
Corporate Recycling Programs In 2012, Weis recycled more than 25,600 tons of waste, including more than 23,000 tons of cardboard, more than 800 tons of plastic bags and more than 200 tons of mixed paper. Our distribution center manages all recyclables from all our stores, our corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities.
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protection of natural resources
“Closing the Loop” with Weis Choice Compost Our new composting program provides us with the means to divert food scraps and additional organic waste from traditional landfill disposal. Our partner, American Biosoils Compost, based in Skippack, Pennsylvania, collects the food waste and converts it into compost. Weis Markets sells the finished product to customers in our stores under the private brand label of Weis Choice Compost. It is certified by the US Composting Council (USCC) for use on trees, shrubs, flower and vegetable gardens, as well as lawns and is enrolled in the USCC’s Seal of Testing Assurance Program, which requires regular testing of the compost quality.
Plastic Bag Recycling We offer to recycle our customers’ plastic bags at all of our stores. These bags are recycled and made into plastic lumber. In 2012, we increased our plastic bag intake by 4 percent for more than 800 tons of recycled bags. We also encourage our customers to use reusable shopping bags and to reduce the amount of plastic bags used.
Pharmacy Plastics We recycle the prescription stock and vial bottles accumulated at our in-store pharmacies. In 2012, we collected more than 40 tons of plastic bottles — enough to fill 18 school buses with bottles!
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Merchandising/Packaging We proactively seek sustainable products for our customers, whether they are made of recycled content, sustainably grown or fair trade. In 2012, we introduced the 100 percent recyclable Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) meat trays for select Weis fresh meat products. The new recycled trays are made from 80 percent recycled #1 plastic and are easily recycled by customers after use. The patented Peel-A-Tray packaging replaces more than 11 tons of non-recyclable air-sealed and polypropylene #5 trays on which our fresh meat products were previously wrapped. After the tray is used and the liner is removed, the plastic tray can be recycled easily along with water and soda bottles, making it the first truly recyclable MAP food tray available on the market.
Earth Friendly Products Another major recycling program at Weis Markets is done through our partnership with Enviro-LogŽ, the nation’s largest recycler of waxed, old corrugated cardboard. We recycled 320 tons of waxed corrugated cardboard in 2012, which was then used to make the firelogs we sell in our stores. Enviro-Logs are made of 100 percent recycled materials and burn cleaner and more efficiently, while generating 50 percent more heat than firewood. Enviro-Log firelogs produce 86 percent less creosote, 80 percent less carbon dioxide and 30 percent less emissions than wood.
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330,000 gallons
GREASE TRAP WASTE
Recycling Allows Us to Better Manage Our Trash Costs
232 tons
We saved $2.5 Million in Landfill Fees
Saved $17,400
PLASTIC BAGS
CARDBOARD WAXED CARDBOARD
FOOD WASTE 780 tons
PHARMACY STOCK BOTTLES 826 tons
23,388 tons Saved $1,754,100
Composted from 10 stores + diverted from landfills
MIXED PAPER
352 tons
Saved $61,985 + 4% increase*
40 tons Saved $3,000
Saved $26,400 + 30% increase*
In 2012, we cut our electricity usage by 3% — saving $2.7 million. We also reduced our carbon footprint by 3%.* That’s equal to:
Since 2008, we reduced our carbon footprint by 15.5%. We’ve recycled 51,276,000 pounds of waste. That’s equal to:
Removing 197,441 cars from the road
Recycling the weight of 6,410 elephants
*compared to 2011
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F r i e n d l y™
to
rth
food and agriculture
s ei
Ea
promote
Our Farmers, Your Local Produce Weis Markets promotes partnerships with local farmers and food processors in the communities and states where we operate. We educate our customers on our commitment to buying local, which enables them to purchase fresh and sustainably cultivated food and produce from local farmers, with produce arriving from farm to store within 24 hours. In the more than 100-years we’ve been in business, Weis Markets has been purchasing and selling fresh, local produce because it offers the quality our customers have come to expect from us. It also helps us conserve resources and benefits the economies of the states where we operate.
corn, green beans, peaches, nectarines, apples, lettuce,
In an average year, Weis Markets purchases more than
mushrooms, watermelons, cabbage, blueberries, cucumbers,
24 million pounds of local produce from approximately
cantaloupes, tomatoes, potatoes, squash, pumpkins and
100 farms in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and
more. Additionally, more than 95 percent of our milk comes
New York. We regularly purchase locally grown sweet
from dairy farms in Pennsylvania.
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PA Preferred®
Sustainable Seafood: “Unmistakably Sustainable”
We are proud to carry PA Preferred® products, which are food and
TM
provides sustainable varieties of fish. At Weis Markets,
produced or processed in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania
we’re committed to offering our customers a selection of
Department of Agriculture’s PA Preferred program helps
fresh fish that comes from sustainable sources. We continue
support local farmers and the state’s economy. When it
to research this emerging issue and hope to one day
comes to produce and other food items, our customers
guarantee all the seafood we sell is sustainable. For now, our
selecting PA Preferred items are guaranteed fresher, better
Sustainable Seas logo helps our customers to easily identify
tasting products.
product supplied from sustainable fisheries and aqua
Proud Sponsor of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center
farms from around the world. We no longer provide certain species that have been deemed unsustainable. We also conduct a training program for seafood leaders
In addition to supporting local farmers, Weis Markets also
and store managers to help them better understand
has a five-year agreement with the Pennsylvania Department
sustainability and its value for our customers, business and
of Agriculture as a top sponsor of its Pennsylvania Farm
the environment.
Show Complex and Expo Center’s Exposition Hall. Weis Markets is a major contributor to the Annual Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest indoor agricultural exposition in the country with nearly 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive
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“Unmistakably Sustainable” is our seafood program that
agricultural products grown,
exhibits and 300 commercial exhibits.
Weis Markets purchases fre sh fish only from suppliers that me et or exceed the industry standa rds for sustainability, and that are conscious of the environment and sho w responsible har vesting me thods. Look for our “Sustained Sea s” logo on fresh product.
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social responsibility Direct and In-kind donations We are strong believers in giving back to the communities we serve. Each year, our company and our associates make direct and in-kind donations to numerous charities and organizations throughout our market area, including food banks, schools, pet shelters, the United Way and many other local groups. Our company also donates to community-based health care organizations throughout our trade area. We continue to support many worthwhile programs, including clinics for the uninsured, and women’s health initiatives such as
Weis Markets’ Fight Hu
nger Ham Toss benefitti
ng local food banks.
mammography, cardiac, high-risk pregnancy and breast cancer awareness programs. Additional charitable initiatives we developed over the years include: Fight Hunger Program: Our annual Fight Hunger campaign connects food and monetary donations to people in need during Hunger Action
Month in September. Product donations of non-perishable food items and customer monetary donations are collected and distributed to local emergency food providers serving communities near our stores. The program has raised nearly $2 million since its inception in 2008. Each dollar raised equals eight meals donated to our local food banks.
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Paws for Pets: Paws for Pets began in 2009 as a program to help homeless pets in need. During the month of
Paws Pets for
May, customers are encouraged to donate new, unopened pet items such as food, toys, leashes, food bowls and more, and drop them off at collection areas in our stores. Customers are also able to make monetary donations or purchase the Paws for Pets bracelet for $1.00 at the time of
Mystery Tours: Free interactive field trips offered at select Weis Markets stores teach 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade students how to make sensible food choices and encourage daily physical activity. Mystery Tours content and activities are designed to support USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans and reinforce Department of Education health and wellness curricula. Tour content and materials are developed and tested by Weis Registered Dietitians.
check out. Donations are given to local animal shelters and adoptions are held at select store locations to help these animals find new, loving homes. Believe in Heroes: Weis Markets is proud to support our troops and veterans returning from duty. Every year, we run Believe in Heroes™, a promotion benefitting Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP). WWP is an organization that raises awareness and enlists public support for the needs of injured service members. Our customers can help raise money by purchasing select products from participating brand names with the special WWP label. Customers can also purchase WWP bracelets, magnets and reusable tote bags offered in our stores.
eis Mystery Tour Kid Detectives at the W 25
Lifestyle Initiatives
REACH
associates’ wellbeing
For Better HeaLt H
The heart and soul of Weis Markets are our associates, and we pride ourselves in providing special programs to help keep them healthy. We currently offer BALANCE, a wellness program that incentivizes associates to participate in health screenings, health assessments, and over-thephone coaching and online health modules. Healthy Living Team Weis Markets strives to provide our customers with ample resources to lead a healthy lifestyle. Our three registered dietitians are available to answer customers’ food, nutrition
Your 2013 Weis Markets BaLaNCe WeLLNe ss guide
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and wellness questions, and our complimentary magazine, Weis Healthy Bites, is available to customers in every store and at WeisMarkets.com. The magazine offers meal solutions, recipes and wellness information to make it easier for customers to live healthier, happier lives. Pharmacy We work hard to make our store pharmacies as convenient as possible by offering a wide range of medications, immunizations and in-store consultations with our more than 170 pharmacists to meet our customers’ needs. Weis shoppers can easily get their flu or shingles shots when it is convenient for them and avoid making an extra trip to their doctor.
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affiliations
Weis Markets is a proud partner of these prestigious organizations:
TM
RMC
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our mission
To deliver an exceptional shopping experience by offering the best service, value, quality, and freshest products while being good stewards of our environment and giving back to the communities we serve.
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