CINCINNATI, Sept. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger
Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced it was named to the Dow Jones
Sustainability Index North America (DJSI) for the seventh
consecutive year.
The DJSI evaluates the top 20% of the 600 largest North American
companies in the S&P Global Broad Market Index based on
in-depth analysis of economic, social and environmental
performance. Created jointly by S&P Dow Jones Indices and
RobecoSAM, the index serves as a best-in-class benchmark for
investors who recognize that sustainable business practices are
critical to generating long-term shareholder value.
"Kroger's goal is to make a difference for our communities, our
planet and each other by driving sustainability and innovation
throughout our business," said Denise Osterhues, Kroger's
senior director of corporate affairs. "Inclusion on the Dow Jones
Sustainability Index for the seventh consecutive year reaffirms the
impact of our ongoing journey to increase responsible sourcing and
improve eco-stewardship."
Kroger's strong index performance was driven by the company's
progress toward its bold Zero Hunger | Zero Waste plan and 2020
sustainability goals, including:
- Fighting Hunger: In 2018, Kroger donated $192 million to end hunger in the communities it
serves, up from $181 million in
2017.
- Zero Waste: Kroger aims to be a zero-waste
company—achieving more than 90% diversion from landfills—by 2020.
In 2018, Kroger reached a diversion rate of 76% across its
operations, up from 72% in 2017.
- Electricity Savings: Kroger supermarkets saved more
than 2 billion kWh, placing the company well ahead of its 40%
electricity savings goal by 2020.
- Packaging and Plastics: Kroger reduced the amount of
plastic resin in Our Brands packaging by 9.1
million pounds so far – well on its way to reaching its
10-million-pound goal by 2020.
"We congratulate Kroger for being included in the DJSI North
America. The SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment has again
raised the bar in identifying those companies best-positioned to
address future sustainability challenges and opportunities," said
Manjit Jus, Head of ESG Ratings,
RobecoSAM. "This year – which marks the 20th anniversary of the
DJSI – record corporate interest in the SAM CSA reflects the
enduring relevance of the DJSI for measuring and advancing ESG
practices."
To learn more about Kroger's sustainability efforts and
review the company's 2020 goals progress, please visit
http://sustainability.kroger.com.
About The Kroger Co.
At The Kroger Co.
(NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the
Human Spirit®. We are nearly half a million associates who serve
over 11 million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping
experience and 2,761 retail food stores under a variety
of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and
uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To
learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor
relations site.
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SOURCE The Kroger Co.