Conservation

  • For almost 30 years, TOP Food & Drug have used heat-reclaim systems to heat our stores. The heat generated by our refrigeration systems is captured and stored in the form of hot water. It then is recirculated through our HVAC systems as needed for heating, dramatically reducing the consumption of natural gas and electricity.

  • Daylighting and skylights have been used by TOP Food & Drug stores since 1987 to reduce the amount of electricity used to light our stores and to provide a more natural shopping experience.

  • We are constantly upgrading our electrical and refrigeration systems to reduce energy consumption. Beginning in 2003, TOP Food & Drug stores, in close partnership with Puget Sound Energy and Snohomish County PUD, have completed over 50 energy conservation projects, including the replacement of all high-intensity mercury vapor lights with environmentally friendly T-5 fluorescent lights. These projects reduced our energy consumption by over 5 million kilowatt hours per year.

  • In just the fourth quarter of 2007, TOP Food & Drug stores completed 12 conservation upgrades that resulted in further savings of over 1.4 million Kwh per year.

  • TOP Food & Drug stores have reduced their electrical consumption by the equivalent of energy used by 50,000 typical homes.

  • In 2005, TOP Food & Drug was recognized by the Snohomish County PUD as a leader in energy conservation and for several months was featured in public service announcements, offering tips and suggestions on reducing energy consumption both for residential and commercial applications.

  • For over five years, TOP Food & Drug stores have partnered with our utility providers and lighting manufacturers to offer low-cost compact fluorescent lights for home usage.

  • Again working with our utility providers, we have installed low-flow spray rinse heads in our wash and prep areas, reducing water usage by over 2.5 gallons per minute at each sink.

  • Beginning in 2004, TOP Food & Drug began composting waste at store level and now has nine stores currently on composting programs. Another five stores will be added soon and the company goal is to have all stores composting their waste by the end of 2009. At the locations currently participating, over 75 percent of waste is diverted from landfills composting facilities. TOP Food & Drug stores currently compost the waste volume equivalent of over 5,000 residential homes. TOP Food & Drug has been recognized as a leader in grocery composting initiatives by our environmental partner, Cedar Grove Composting.

  • Occupancy light sensors have been installed that turn the lights off in our store offices, backrooms and storage areas when unoccupied. More motion-activated light controls have been installed on our vending machines, turning the lighting off when no one is near.

  • Since 1979, TOP Food & Drug has used automatic lighting control systems to adjust lighting to business and occupancy conditions. These controls shut down unnecessary lights later in the evening, when not needed or when adequate lighting is available using our daylight and skylight systems. Parking lot lights and store signage are controlled by photocell and electronic controls to ensure that the lights are on only when needed.

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