Sustainability
The Co-op Green Team actively pursues
sustainability goals for the Keweenaw Co-op. The
team is comprised of a core group of dedicated
staff who work to identify opportunities, launch
new programs, and engage staff and owners to
make a positive difference. The Co-op believes a
successful business is measured by a triple
bottom line that includes not only economic
performance, but also impact to community and
environment. Here are a few sustainability
initiatives already underway:
TerraCycle Program
The Co-op participates in TerraCycle's retailer
waste collection program. TerraCycle collects
previously nonrecyclable, or
difficult-to-recycle, product packaging waste
and converts it into new products, ranging from
recycled park benches to upcycled backpacks.
Look for the collection boxes and list of
eligible products at the Co-op. Learn more about
the
TerraCycle Program.
Energy Bar Wrapper Brigade:
Accepted waste include foil-lined energy bar
wrappers; foil-lined granola bar wrappers;
foil-lined meal replacement bar wrappers;
foil-lined protein bar wrappers; foil-lined diet
bar wrappers; Clif Bar & Co. wrappers from Clif
Bars, Luna Bars, MOJO, Builders, Crunch, Clif
Kid Z-Bar, Kits Organic, Clif Kid Z-Fruit, Shot
Bloks, Shot Gels, and Shot Drinks; pouches from
Clif Organic Energy Food
Click here for more details.
EcoFriendly Take Out Containers
The Co-op uses environmentally friendly and
recyclable packaging options throughout the
store. Many of our take out containers are FSC-certified
and are made with 100% recycled paper (minimum
35% post-consumer content), unbleached
paperboard, water-based adhesives, and
water-based inks.
Energy Efficiency / Co+efficient Program
The Keweenaw Co-op participates in Co+efficient,
NCG's Sustainability Program for Cooperatives.
The initiative is to measurably improve co-ops'
social, environmental and local economic
impacts. The Co+efficient Program helps the
Green Team measure, analyze and improve our
performance on 17 sustainability metrics. We
track data like our usage of natural resources,
the volume of waste our recycling diverts from
landfills, and sales of earth-friendly products.
Some examples are new coolers w/LED lighting, EM motors, LED store
lighting (eventually).
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