COMMERCE, Calif., April 22, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Unified Grocers, the largest wholesale grocery distributor in the western United States, is making significant advancements in its ongoing effort to reduce waste and encourage earth-sustaining practices throughout the organization.
As part of Unified's commitment to being a good steward of the earth while responsibly growing its business, the Company has assembled a Sustainability Leadership Team that is targeting areas for improvement, developing best practices and encouraging continued advancement in sustainability programs in all aspects of the business. As a result of these efforts, a wide variety of programs have been implemented and are reducing the organization's impact on the environment.
These programs range from simple conservation measures, such as double-sided copying and pooling office supplies, to recycling paper, cardboard, wood and plastics (bags, wrap and pallets) used in offices, warehouses and retail stores. To help reduce the amount of overall material going to waste, Unified has initiated a food and biodegradable materials composting program throughout its facilities and has donated non-salable products to local food banks on a regular basis.
The Company's internal website, "Green 365," educates and informs associates about earth-friendly practices and encourages them to submit additional ideas for green programs. Green 365 also is expanding Unified's sustainability efforts by encouraging participation in activities such as adopting segments of roads or highways, recycling eyeglasses and home recycling and composting.
"We are very proud of the efforts and accomplishments of our associates and retail customers in working together to help protect our planet and conserve resources for future generations," said Bob Ling, President, Unified Grocers. "We also know there is much more to do and we look forward to celebrating those successes."
Recently Unified began offering paperless invoicing to all of its retail customers in the western United States. After experiencing positive results from paperless invoicing in its Washington operations, the Company extended the program to enable more retailers to reduce waste and improve ordering efficiencies. When fully deployed, the paperless invoicing will eliminate approximately 40 tons of paper from the waste stream every year while speeding order processing and giving retailers greater visibility to their ordering activity with Unified.
About Unified Grocers, Inc.
Founded in 1922, Unified Grocers is a retailer-owned wholesale grocery distributor that supplies independent retailers throughout the western United States. Unified and its subsidiaries, which generated approximately $3.8 billion in sales during fiscal 2012, offer independent retailers all the resources they need to compete in the supermarket industry. For more information about Unified Grocers, visit: http://www.unifiedgrocers.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements about the future performance of Unified Grocers based on Management's assumptions and beliefs in light of information currently available to it. There are a variety of factors that could cause actual and future results to differ materially from those anticipated by the statements made above. These factors are outlined in the Company's Form 10-K and other interim reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Furthermore, Unified undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.