Buehler’s has been nationally recognized with two U.S. Environmental Protection Agency GreenChill Partnership Awards for 2013. The Most Improved Emissions Rate award recognizes Buehler’s for lowering its refrigerant emissions rate more than any other supermarket in the GreenChill Partnership. Additionally, Buehler’s met its refrigerant emissions goal for 2013 to earn “Superior Goal Achievement” award.

“GreenChill is pleased to honor Buehler’s Fresh Foods with its second GreenChill Most Improved Emissions Rate award and Superior Goal Achievement award,” said Tom Land, GreenChill Program Manager. “Buehler’s achieved two notable feats in 2013. First they achieved a larger reduction in their refrigerant emissions rate versus 2012 levels than any other GreenChill partner. Second, Buehler’s has achieved a larger reduction in their emissions rate compared to their first year in the partnership than any other partner”

EPA’s GreenChill Partnership 2014 award ceremony was held at the Food Marketing Institute Energy & Store Development Conference in St. Louis, MO, on September 8th at 7:00 a.m. EPA’s GreenChill Partnership holds a ceremony once a year to present its Achievement Awards.  Becky Foster, Buehler’s Vice President Construction and Maintenance, received the awards for Buehler’s based on her efforts with Dan Steffen of Harrison Refrigeration, Buehler’s Refrigeration contractor.

EPA’s GreenChill Partnership works with supermarkets to reduce refrigerant emissions and decrease their impact on the ozone layer and climate change. The Partnership helps supermarkets transition to environmentally friendlier refrigerants; reduce harmful refrigerant emissions; and adopt greener refrigeration technologies and environmental best practices. There are approximately 8,000 GreenChill partner stores throughout the nation. For more information on EPA’s GreenChill Partnership, please visit www.epa.gov/greenchill.

GreenChill partner stores have much lower leak rates than average stores in the U.S. If every supermarket reduced its leak levels to the GreenChill average, the supermarket industry could save more than $100 million in refrigerant replacement costs and reduce emissions by about 27 million metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent.

Becky Foster, Buehler’s Vice President Construction and Maintenance, states that “…this is just one of many environmental and sustainability issues we address as a company.  We were innovators in the 1970’s by reclaiming the heat generated from our refrigeration compressors to heat our stores. In recent years, we have undertaken many projects to decrease electricity usage, including evolving light technologies, refrigeration innovations, and recycling programs both within Buehler’s and for the communities we serve. We recycle food waste into our Buehler’s Bagged Compost sold in our stores and at select ACE Hardware stores in the region. Buehler’s demonstrates its commitment to environmentally responsible behavior through its actions.”

About Buehlers:

E&H Family Group owns and operates fourteen Buehler’s Fresh Foods Supermarkets located in Wooster, Orrville, Wadsworth, Medina, Brunswick, Ashland, New Philadelphia, Dover, Jackson Township, Delaware, Coshocton, Portage Lakes (Green), Ohio, and coming to Massillon, Ohio this fall.

E&H Family Group also owns and operates fourteen ACE Hardware stores located in Orrville, Medina, Dover, New Philadelphia, Delaware, Jackson Township, Independence, Rocky River, Westlake, Middlefield, Oberlin, Avon Lake, Garrettsville, and Hilliard, Ohio

E & H Family Group is a family owned company committed to environmentally responsible behavior.  For more information visit  www.buehlers.com.