When we think about sustainability, it can feel overwhelming. Where do we even start? The good news is that small, everyday actions really do add up. Right here in Chestnut Hill, our local Wegmans is showing how a grocery store can make a difference, and how those same steps can inspire us in our own homes. At 6am, before customers arrive, employees at Wegmans Chestnut Hill are already sorting through yesterday’s unsold produce, but instead of tossing bruised apples into the trash, they are carefully placing them in compost bins destined for local farms.
According to Ethan Cramer, the store’s services manager, sustainability is a top priority at Wegmans. Every decision, from how products arrive at the store to how waste is managed, reflects the company’s mission to reduce environmental impact. Cutting down on waste is central, with store teams constantly finding ways to maximize recycling, composting and landfill diversion.
Did you know that nearly 40% of food in the U.S. goes to waste? At Wegmans Chestnut Hill, uneaten food doesn’t just end up in the trash. Each month, they compost more than 70,000 pounds of scraps and donate over 20,000 pounds of good food to local food banks. By doing this, they are reducing methane emissions from landfills and helping neighbors who need it most. That is enough food waste to fill a typical living room from floor to ceiling every single day. Sustainable packaging is also a priority, with recyclable and compostable materials replacing traditional plastic and foam, leading to helping eliminate 600,000 pounds of plastic and foam last year.
Cramer says that Wegmans is committed to sourcing locally whenever possible. Produce, meats, seafood and cheese often come from farms within 50 miles of the store. The company also operates its own organic research farm in New York, exploring sustainable farming practices like greenhouse production. By working closely with local farms and nonprofits, Wegmans supports both regional agriculture and sustainable food systems. Sustainability should not be expensive or confusing for customers. The company focuses on making sustainable products affordable and easy to find, while also helping local farms thrive. Their approach ensures that making greener choices is simple for both customers and suppliers.
Sustainability at Wegmans, Cramer says, is a team effort. Employees play a critical role by composting, recycling and minimizing waste. Through June, the Chestnut Hill store achieved an impressive 92% landfill diversion rate. Staff are also encouraged to get involved outside the store.
One of the things that makes Wegmans Chestnut Hill stand out, Cramer explains, is by offering seven days a week food donation pick-up, which is the only Wegmans store to do so. Partnering with five local organizations, they ensure more than 20,000 pounds of food each month reaches food banks and local families in need. This daily system guarantees that perfectly good food, even if it does not meet store standards, goes directly back into the community.
When asked about the store’s future plans, Cramer said their goals are ambitious. They want to achieve a 100% recycling rate, continue expanding food donations and composting, continuing to reduce emissions with sustainable transportation and support local ordinances with eco-friendly packaging. From composting and recycling to sourcing local produce and donating food daily, Wegmans Chestnut Hill proves that sustainability works best when it is community driven. As Cramer says, “It takes everyone in the store.” He hopes that with continued effort, innovation and teamwork, Wegmans will help set the standard for what a sustainable grocery store can be.
Mira Ganz is a Green Newton MassCEC Intern. Mira is a Newton resident and a senior at Michigan State University, where she is majoring in environmental studies and sustainability and minoring in public relations.
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