Kroger, the largest grocery chain in the United States, is facing pressure from a coalition of stakeholders to eliminate HFCs from their refrigeration systems. Green America and Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) called on consumers to sign a letter to Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen, demanding the company adopt ultra-low GWP refrigerants and replace current HFC systems at all of its nearly 2,800 stores by 2030. Currently, Kroger has only committed to using non-HFC alternatives at seven new stores.
The consumer action came just ahead of Kroger’s June 23 annual meeting at which a shareholder resolution filed by Friends Fiduciary was voted on that asked Kroger to prepare a report on eliminating the use of HFCs. The resolution noted that “Kroger’s apparent lack of a comprehensive plan to eliminate HFCs in refrigeration exposes Kroger to financial, regulatory, and reputational risks.”