Northborough – Wegmans Food Markets, located at 9012 Shops Way in Northborough, participates in a number of initiatives to give back to local communities and lessen the store’s environmental impact.
Wegmans donates a variety of items, including fruits, vegetables, and baked goods, to 12 local organizations, including the Worcester County Food Bank, Seventh Day Adventist Church, St. John’s Church and the Tufts Wildlife Clinic. Last year over 105,000 pounds of food was donated, and there are plans to extend donations to perishable items, such as meat and dairy – although Wegmans was able to donate dozens of frozen turkeys this past Thanksgiving.
The food that cannot be donated or sold is brought to the WeCare Organics facility in Marlborough. There organic materials are separated from other waste and used in a variety of composting mixes. Wegmans also utilizes the services of EL Harvey & Sons, a recycling company from Westborough, for the single stream recycling program.
In addition, Wegmans has an ongoing plastic bag recycling program that helps boost the recycled content within the store’s grocery bags. Current rates average around 40 percent. Any type of soft plastic bag can be brought in as long as it is clean and dry; these bags will then be used in the creation of new ones, thus reducing waste. Customers may bring in any clean plastic bags to the recycling bins at the store’s front entrance.
More information about Wegmans corporate sustainability goals can be found at www.wegmans.com/sustainability.