Whole Foods earns green distinction

AUSTIN, Texas — Whole Foods Market has received a 2012 Green Power Leadership Award for sustained excellence from the Environmental Protection Agency for its renewable energy purchase of 800 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) last year.



In addition to its renewable energy purchases, Whole Foods Market is generating nearly 258,000 kWh annually with the use of on-site solar arrays. Whole Foods Market adds this most recent award to its three previous Green Power Partner of the Year and two Green Power Purchasing awards from the EPA.



The grocer also received the Superior Achievement Award from the EPA's GreenChill Partnership for reaching its refrigerant emission reduction goal for last year. GreenChill works with grocers to decrease their impact on the ozone layer and climate change by reducing refrigerant emissions. Whole Foods Market has won a GreenChill award the past four years as well.



Whole Foods Market currently ranks fifth on EPA's National Top 50 List, as well as third on its Top 20 Retail List.