Sustainability 

We work to develop sustainability tools and resources to help the grocery industry reduce waste, source more sustainable products, increase recycling rates, improve packaging and focus on the "green business case."  

 

U.S. Plastics Pact

FMI is a Founding Activator of the U.S. Plastics Pact, which will create a unified national framework for a circular economy for plastics, creating structure, coherence, aligned targets, and associated reporting. The food industry is committed to package waste reduction with 41% of FMI members reporting that they already have clear objectives and implementation timeframes for package waste reduction.

The U.S. Plastics Pact has four outlined targets to encourage bold action:

  • Define a list of plastic packaging to be designated as problematic or unnecessary by 2021 and take measures to eliminate them by 2025.
  • By 2025, all plastic packaging will be 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable.
  • Undertake ambitious actions to effectively recycle or compost 50% of plastic packaging by 2025.
  • By 2025, the average recycled content or responsibly-sourced, bio-based content in plastic packaging will be 30%

Frequently Asked Questions

FMI Sustainability Resources

Speaks Cover 2020

Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2020

Speaks focuses on how the industry fared in 2019. In addition, this year’s report looks at how the industry has been impacted in 2020 by the first few months of the pandemic
State Sustainability Resources

State Sustainability Resources

A compilation of state sustainability resources to help members stay abreast of the environmental and sustainability bills at the state and local levels.
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Boardroom Volume 5

This collection of articles offers unique and timely insights to help senior food industry executives shape strategies and improve performance throughout their organizations.
2020 Food Waste Lessons Learned

Messy but Worth It! Lessons Learned from Fighting Food Waste

Tips from foodservice manufacturers, grocers and restaurants leading the way in food waste reduction.
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Future of Food: New Realities for the Industry

FMI and Kurt Salmon, a part of Accenture Strategy, examine three main areas of change in the food industry.
Sustainable Seafood Toolkit

Sustainable Seafood Toolkit

This 2012 toolkit, developed courtesy of Bumblebee Foods, provides ideas, best practice examples from 14 companies, guidelines and outside resources for developing your own sustainable seafood procurement program.
FWRA Best Practices Guide

Best Practices Guide Highlights Ways the Food Industry Reduces Food Waste

The second annual Best Practices and Emerging Solutions guide highlights ways companies can begin or expand their food donation or food waste diversion programs.
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Sustainable Sourcing for High-Impact Commodities

This resource offers top-line information and questions to consider when sourcing products that have sensitive social, environmental or economic impact.
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Making the Business Case for Sustainability: A Guide for Practitioners

This tool was created by FMI's Sustainability Executive Committee to assist sustainability leaders in making the compelling business case for sustainability with senior leadership.
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Fisheries Improvement Projects (FIP) Whitepaper

This 2014 publication is designed to share insights on how retailers and seafood suppliers can engage in meaningful activities with other stakeholders in the seafood supply chain.
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Sustainability on the Shelves - A Guide for Category Managers

This resource addresses sustainability hot-spots and decision-making factors in 5 different parts of the food retail supply chain: Grocery, General Merchandise, Fresh, Beverage and Seafood.
Sustainability Leadership

Leadership

FMI's Sustainability Executive Committee is comprised of retail/wholesale company sustainability leaders and provides leadership, insight and expertise to the grocery industry on sustainability practices.

Learn More  Committee Portal