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MEDIA ALERT
Media contacts:
John Elliott
Spokesperson
Kroger
317-579-8260
David Forsell President/Spokesperson
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc.
(317) 223-5180 cell
dforsell@kibi.org
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – January 28, 2008 - The Kroger Co.
has launched a major environmental partnership with Keep Indianapolis
Beautiful, Inc. (KIB). At a news conference at 10 AM this morning at
Kroger’s new store location at 71st & Binford, Kroger representatives will
present $25,000 to KIB representatives. This contribution will be
repeated for 2008 and 2009, with a portion of the 2008 funding to support
beautification projects in the neighborhoods adjacent to Kroger’s new stores
at 71st and Binford and in Nora. This $75,000 pledge follows $5,000
presented to the "NeighborWoods"
program at a November 8th store grand reopening celebration. The
Indianapolis program is considered a pilot that, after a trial period will
be evaluated for possible replication in other key communities within
Central Division. KIB will be represented by President David Forsell.
AbitibiBowater Recycling will be represented by Area Manager Melinda Antell
and company mascot "Pepper."
This is the latest commitment Kroger is making as part of a
comprehensive, pro-active green initiative intended to reduce Kroger’s
impact on the environment. Preliminary components of the program include
support of the city’s tree canopy campaign, placing plastic recycling
barrels in every Central division store, placing paper recycle containers in the
parking lot of every metro Indianapolis store, and generating substantial
revenues in support of KIB’s operations.
Working with KIB and paper recycler AbitibiBowater Recycling, Kroger
will place large paper recycle containers in the parking lots of all 46 Kroger
stores in the metro Indianapolis market. AbitibiBowater Recycling
will manage the program. Kroger will support the program with marketing and
communications programs intended to raise customer and associate awareness
and recycling participation. KIB will receive all revenue from the program
to support their ongoing operations.
According to Central Division Public Affairs Manager John Elliott,
"Kroger is very pleased to partner with the leading environmental group in
our Indianapolis market. The recycle containers in our parking lots
represent only the beginning of a comprehensive green campaign led by Kroger
and community partners. Protecting the environment matters a great deal to
our associates and our customers. This is the beginning of an exciting
partnership that will allow us to truly make a positive difference for our
environment."
Kroger also recently launched a national plastic recycling program called "Bag
2 Bag" that includes custom-designed barrels allowing customers to
contribute plastic grocery bags, dry cleaning plastic and other types of
plastic bags for recycling. The barrels also are used for plastic generated
by Kroger’s store operations, including shrink-wrap. In the first two months
following the launch of the "Bag 2 Bag" program 122,320 pounds (more
than 61 tons) of plastic has been gathered for recycling by Kroger’s 154
Central Division stores. Kroger expects the impact to be even greater as
customers become more aware of the program.
This follows earlier announcements that Kroger has launched a national
reusable bag campaign, replacement of motors for refrigerators and freezers
that significantly reduce energy consumption, as well as adding skylights,
light fixtures and different light bulbs in stores to reduce electricity
usage. Under President Bob Moeder, Central Division is leading sales
of the reusable bags within the Kroger enterprise and is one of two
operating divisions consuming the least energy per square foot.
The Kroger Central Division has 154 food stores, 129 pharmacies
and 49 fuel centers operating under five banners; Kroger, Scott’s, Owen’s,
Hilander and Pay Less, with locations primarily in Indiana and Illinois, in
addition to five stores in Missouri, one in Michigan and one in Ohio. Kroger
Central Division is dedicated to supporting every local community it serves,
contributing more than $6 million annually to local organizations, primarily
focusing on hunger relief, K-12 education, health causes and diversity. At
Kroger we value: honesty, respect, inclusion, diversity, safety and
integrity.
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. is a private, non-profit
organization that unites people to beautify the city, improve its
environment, and foster pride in the community.
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