FreshDirect Boasts about Green Actions
Fresh Direct, the Long Island City, N.Y.-based online grocer, has issued a progress report on its eco-friendly programs via an e-mail message to customers from president Steve Michaelson and environmental initiatives leader Leitha Matz.
"To reduce waste, we're working with Bright Power energy consultants to redesign our facility's lighting systems and use brighter, more energy-efficient fixtures and bulbs," noted Michaelson and Matz in the e-mail. "As part of our mission to help you make informed decisions, our seafood department now displays environmental status information on every product, as well as a section of seafood that's recognized as Certified Sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council."
The online grocer has also teamed up with Into the Outside, a nonprofit organization that collaborates with teachers to create learning plans that connect kids with underused community and cultural resources.
The message also mentioned the progress FreshDirect is making in its bid to cut emissions from its delivery trucks, in partnership with Hub Truck Leasing and Tristate Biodiesel, the retailer is now fueling more than half of its delivery trucks with a cleaner-burning 5 percent biodiesel fuel blend. The "bio" part of the biodiesel fuel is recycled from used cooking oil, partly from the company's own kitchen donations, and other waste oils that Tristate Biodiesel harvests and converts. FreshDirect is working with its remaining vehicle vendors to bring its fleet to 100 percent as soon as possible.
"To reduce waste, we're working with Bright Power energy consultants to redesign our facility's lighting systems and use brighter, more energy-efficient fixtures and bulbs," noted Michaelson and Matz in the e-mail. "As part of our mission to help you make informed decisions, our seafood department now displays environmental status information on every product, as well as a section of seafood that's recognized as Certified Sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council."
The online grocer has also teamed up with Into the Outside, a nonprofit organization that collaborates with teachers to create learning plans that connect kids with underused community and cultural resources.
The message also mentioned the progress FreshDirect is making in its bid to cut emissions from its delivery trucks, in partnership with Hub Truck Leasing and Tristate Biodiesel, the retailer is now fueling more than half of its delivery trucks with a cleaner-burning 5 percent biodiesel fuel blend. The "bio" part of the biodiesel fuel is recycled from used cooking oil, partly from the company's own kitchen donations, and other waste oils that Tristate Biodiesel harvests and converts. FreshDirect is working with its remaining vehicle vendors to bring its fleet to 100 percent as soon as possible.