Dominick’s grocery stores, which operates 99 stores in the Midwest, announced in January that it will become the first Illinois retailer to convert its entire truck fleet to biodiesel. By converting 78 tractors and 350 refrigerated trailers to B20 biodiesel, the grocer projects a 1,457,256 pound reduction in its yearly carbon emissions.
For many Chicagoans, this announcement may alter the perception of a large grocery chain not known for being particularly green. In the Second City, Dominick’s is sort of the Pepsi to to Jewel-Osco’s Coke. These two large mainstream grocery stores are known for having stores in many of the city’s neighborhoods, and for serving very large portions of the populace with conventional packaged food and some organic produce. If you’re not a dedicated organic foodie doing your shopping at Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s (or at farmer’s markets or CSAs), chances are you’re a Dominick’s or Jewel regular.
But things are changing in the grocery landscape. In yet another sign that the market is recognizing a desire in the typical American consumer to make more responsible choices, even the mainstream grocers are getting serious about offering their customers greener options. Food items labeled organic and “natural” are claiming more and more shelf space at the big supermarkets. And the shift to biodiesel in the fleet of one of Chicago’s largest chains indicates that retailers are willing to green their operations behind the scenes because of the goodwill it generates when a company can be seen as a leader in environmental stewardship.
At the same time, it’s worth recognizing that Dominick’s shift to biodiesel fuel is more symbolic than revolutionary. The projected reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of more than 1 million pounds sounds good until you remember that these things are usually measured in tons. Changing the type of fuel in all these trucks has the global warming equivalent of taking 143 cars off the road. That’s a step in the right direction, but it’s not going to make a huge dent in the climate change problem.
Granted, there are other benefits to using a domestically produced biofuel instead of petroleum-based diesel–such as reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil, and reducing particulate pollution that has an adverse impact on air quality–but these aren’t the ones that Dominick’s is touting. They seem to be jumping on the global warming panic bandwagon. It’s not corporate greenwashing, but it seems like you could call it “green dumbing” when a company focuses on one narrow and marginal benefit of a new initiative at the expense of others.
And keep in mind that B20 biodiesel is still 80% conventional diesel. Not a whole lot is changing other than where these truck go to fill up their tanks. If a retailer wanted to get serious about efficiency in their fleet, they would follow the example set by Wal-Mart, which worked to upgrade its fleet to eliminate wasted fuel from unnecessary idling.
Dominick’s biofuel commitment is part of parent company Safeway’s national shift to the alternative truck fuel. The company has been innovative for implementing a number of measures in recent years to manage its carbon footprint reduce air pollution. These efforts have included purchasing renewable solar and wind energy, alternative construction practices, and alternative fuels.
According to an NBC news article, Safeway “has installed new energy-efficient refrigeration technology and freezer systems and uses LED lighting in some stores to reduce electricity usage. Safeway also operates an extensive recycling program in which nearly 500,000 tons of materials are recycled each year, including cardboard, plastics and compostable materials.”
To make a real dent in the problem and get the environmental credibility that it seems to be Safeway’s goal, retailers need to put together integrated programs using a variety of best practices. In 2006 Safeway joined the Chicago Climate Exchange, a voluntary, legally binding greenhouse gas emissions reduction, registry and trading program. This may be the biggest sign of a true corporate commitment, because meeting the carbon reductions required by membership in the Chicago Climate Exchange will require lots more innovation that putting a few more soybeans in the gas tank.
I’ll feel better about shopping at Dominick’s after knowing that good changes are afoot at this corporate behemoth. But I’m not going to delude myself into thinking it’s the greenest choice I can make. This retail giant is riding the green revolution, but they’re not out front by that much. I’ll watch what other changes they make, but for now, I’m still going to try to feed myself with local produce that didn’t have to get trucked across the country in the first place.
And if I get a craving for Cool Ranch Doritos, I’m going to skip the Jewel and try to find a Dominick’s instead.
Further reading:
Dominick’s Announces Shift to Biodiesel – Medill Reports
Safeway Converts U.S. Trucking Fleet to Biodiesel – NBC6.net
Photo credit: Safeway
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