UNFI goes green at Texas facility

LANCASTER, TEXAS - United Natural Foods Inc UNFI has extended its commitment to using renewable energy by purchasing 6,200 megawatt-hours of electricity and renewable energy from EcoElectrons Renewable Energy for its new Lancaster distribution facility.

This purchase is expected to reduce carbon emissions at the Lancaster facility by about 4,500 metric tons, the equivalent of nearly 10,400 barrels of oil, and complements UNFI's effort to obtain LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for the 590,000-square-foot facility. EcoElectrons Renewable Energy specializes in supplying green power to organizations through renewable energy credits.

The renewable energy purchased by UNFI is certified by Green-e Energy, which provides independent, third-party certification to ensure renewable energy meets strict environmental and consumer protection standards.

UNFI produces more than 2 million kilowatt-hours of clean energy annually through solar electric systems installed at its Rocklin, California and Dayville, Connecticut facilities. It also uses 100 green power in its Ridgefield, Washington distribution facility and is also member of the EPA's Green Power Partnership. This voluntary program encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use.