Brookshire Grocery Co. (BGC), which operates 153 stores in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas, has joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) GreenChill partnership. By joining GreenChill, BGC “pledges to go beyond regulatory requirements to protect the ozone layer and combat climate change,” according to a joint statement from the supermarket chain and the EPA. “BGC is committed to sustainabil¬ity, and this partnership will strengthen the company’s ability to protect consumers’ health and the environment. “

According to the EPA, a typical supermarket leaks some 1,000 pounds of refrigerant gas into the atmosphere each year. By joining GreenChill, BGC will work to reduce those emissions by continuing to transition to environmentally friendlier refrigerants; reduce the amount of refrigerant used; and adopt green refrigeration technologies, strategies, and practices. Companies that partner with GreenChill have refrigerant emissions rates that are approximately 50 percent lower than the national average, GreenChill said.

“This partnership will help us reduce harmful refrigerant emissions, protect the ozone layer, cut costs for supermarkets and consumers, and protect our health and the environment,” said the GreenChill statement.