Giant Eagle’s has installed eWaste collection bins in many locations, allowing customers to donate used ink cartridges, cellphones, MP3 players, digital cameras and GPS devices for responsible recycling.

Promotion builds on company’s ongoing sustainable initiatives

 PITTSBURGH — Multi format food and fuel retailer Giant Eagle, Inc., the first grocer to operate a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED^®)-certified supermarket in the world, is celebrating Earth Day this year by giving away reusable bags free of charge to 5,000 of its Facebook friends on Friday, April 20, 2012.  Customers can also purchase a decorative reusable bag in-store for just 99 cents. Giant Eagle supermarket locations also offer blue reusable hot/cold bags for just $2.99.

 Giant Eagle’s reusable bags are one component of the retailer’s commitment to sustainability. In 2011, Giant Eagle recycled nearly 59,000 tons of cardboard, 1,685 tons of plastic film and 2,528 tons of mixed paper. Additionally, its stores incorporate many environmentally friendly features.  Giant Eagle opened the world’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED®) certified supermarket in Brunswick, Ohio in 2004, and since seven other supermarket and fuel and convenience store locations including its most recent LEED certification in Indiana, Pennsylvania.

 The company also has a focus on growing the availability of alternative fuels. In July of 2011, Giant Eagle opened its first two compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations in the Pittsburgh area at its retail support and distribution center in the Fairywood neighborhood, an accomplishment recognized by the Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett with a 2012 Environmental Excellence award on Wednesday, April 18, 2012. More recently, Giant Eagle added electric vehicle fueling stations at three Pittsburgh area supermarket locations, including its Monroeville Giant Eagle and Robinson Township and Township of Pine Market District locations. Many GetGo fuel and convenience store locations also offer E85 fuels, and offering that helps reduce the number of toxins released in the atmosphere and improve a vehicle's performance.

 Giant Eagle’s sustainable efforts include energy efficient store lighting, renewable energy, energy management controls and power monitoring, white roofing and variable speed fans.  Additionally, Giant Eagle has formed a strong partnership with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its ENERGY STAR, SmartWay Partnership, Green Power Partnership and Greenchill programs.  To learn more about the company’s environmental efforts, visit www.gianteagle.com/environment. 

Giant Eagle is committed to providing a wide variety of the freshest and highest quality seafood while being good stewards of the marine environment and fisheries around the world. Additionally, when seasonally available, Giant Eagle offers a combination of regionally grown produce, sourced through in-state farmers, with names of the farms and their locations identified, as well as a variety of natural and organic options. 

Giant Eagle’s has installed eWaste collection bins in many locations, allowing customers to donate used ink cartridges, cellphones, MP3 players, digital cameras and GPS devices for responsible recycling.  In addition, Giant Eagle will donate 100% of proceeds from the profits generated to local food banks.

About Giant Eagle

Giant Eagle Inc., is one of the nation’s largest food retailers and distributors with approximately $9.3 billion in annual sales, which would make the company the 27^th largest privately held company on Forbes magazine’s largest private corporations list. Giant Eagle is also a recent recipient of Grocery Headquarters’ Retailer of the Year Award and the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Retail Partner of the Year Award. Founded in 1931, Giant Eagle, Inc. has grown to be the number one supermarket retailer in the region with 229 supermarkets in addition to 169 fuel and convenience stores throughout western Pennsylvania, Ohio, north central West Virginia and Maryland.