Greenpeace Ranks U.S. Grocers: Who’s Leading Plastic Reduction?
Greenpeace’s new report exposes supermarket plastic pollution and highlights leaders and laggards in the push for reduction.
Greenpeace’s 2021 Supermarket Plastics Ranking: A Critical Review
Plastic pollution, especially from disposable packaging, remains among the most urgent environmental challenges. Supermarkets, due to the vast quantity of single-use plastics distributed daily, are central players in the fight against plastic waste. Greenpeace’s 2021 report, Shopping for Plastic, offers a comprehensive ranking of the United States’ major grocery retailers based on their efforts—or lack thereof—to curb plastic dependence.
Using a combination of surveys, direct inquiries, and publicly available information, Greenpeace scored 20 top grocers on four criteria: Policy, Reduction, Initiatives & Innovation, and Transparency.
How Greenpeace Ranks Supermarkets
Greenpeace evaluates grocers using:
- A standardized 21-question survey directed at retailers
- Email and phone communications
- Analysis of publicly available documents
Scores are assigned in four core categories:
- Policy: Does the grocer have a comprehensive, public commitment to eliminate single-use plastics?
- Reduction: Measurable progress in reducing plastic usage overall
- Initiatives & Innovation: Implementation of novel or large-scale reuse/refill programs and sustainable alternatives
- Transparency: Is the grocer open about its plastics use and reduction progress?
None of this year’s retailers scored above 35 out of 100, indicating the scale of change yet required.
Score Table: Top 10 Grocers in Plastic Reduction (2021)
| Rank | Grocer | Overall Score (out of 100) | Key Initiatives |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giant Eagle | 31.82 | Eliminate all single-use plastics by 2025, refillable and package-free options |
| 2 | ALDI | 30.61 | Targets for 100% reusable, recyclable, compostable packaging by 2025 |
| 3 | Sprouts Farmers Market | 25.83 | High transparency, supplier engagement for plastics strategy |
| 4 | Kroger | 24.06 | Bans single-use plastic checkout bags by 2025; joined Loop reuse program |
| 5 | Albertsons | 21.85 | Commitment to decrease plastic, but lacks specific reduction target |
| 6 | Costco | 20.53 | Limited transparency; slow progress on comprehensive policy |
| 7 | Walmart | 18.10 | Sustainability goals but no comprehensive, public plastics policy |
| 8 | Ahold Delhaize | 16.78 | Efforts in sustainability but lagging on plastics commitments |
| 9 | Wegmans | 15.45 | Recycling focus, gaps in reduction and transparency |
| 10 | Whole Foods Market | 15.23 | Some initiatives but lacks scale of change required |
Scores for retailers outside the top ten, such as Meijer, Wakefern, and H-E-B, reflect weaker policies and initiatives. Several chains, including Costco and Wegmans, did not respond to Greenpeace inquiries; scores for these retailers relied solely on public documentation.
The COVID-19 Setback
Greenpeace highlights a regression in plastic reduction progress linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Supermarkets paused eco-friendly packaging efforts, relying more heavily on disposable plastics to address health and hygiene concerns. Plastic bag bans were suspended or reversed, and consumer uptake of reusable containers dropped—all contributing to increased plastic waste.
Why Supermarkets Matter in Plastic Pollution
U.S. supermarkets sell massive amounts of packaged goods each day. Their decisions affect the entire supply chain, from manufacturers to suppliers. Greenpeace asserts that retailers hold the buying power necessary to:
- Pressure consumer brands (e.g., Nestlé, Coca-Cola, Unilever) to supply less plastic-packaged products
- Adopt and scale up refill/reuse systems for in-store purchases
- Introduce sustainable packaging alternatives for their private label products
- Set industry standards through ambitious, time-bound commitments
Yet, most grocers are acting far below their capacity and obligation, with none scoring above a failing grade.
Profiles: Standout Retailers and Practices
Giant Eagle: From Laggard to Leader
Pennsylvania-based Giant Eagle rose from 16th place in 2019 to first in Greenpeace’s 2021 rankings by:
- Committing publicly to eliminate all single-use plastics by 2025
- Switching to biodegradable, recyclable paper packaging for select products
- Partnering with Fifth Season to reduce leafy green packaging by 40% per package
- Launching refillable and package-free product options
What others are reading
Greenpeace cites Giant Eagle’s bold policy moves as exemplary, even as pandemic challenges delayed some consumer-facing efforts.
ALDI: Private Label, Sustainable Vision
ALDI’s business model, dominated by private label products, gives it more control over packaging than most rivals. Its plastic reduction initiatives include:
- Committing to 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging for all ALDI-exclusive products by 2025
- Vowing to reduce overall product packaging by 15% by 2025
This comprehensive strategy puts ALDI near the top of the rankings.
Kroger: Bags and Beyond
Kroger dropped two positions this year as peers implemented swifter action. While the chain has pledged to ban single-use plastic checkout bags by 2025 and joined Loop, a refill/reuse initiative, its plastics reduction plan lags in scope and urgency compared to others.
Kroger’s current pledge is for all own-brand packaging to be recyclable, compostable, or reusable by 2030—a deadline five years later than similar commitments from other leading retailers. Greenpeace states that Kroger’s size gives it immense potential for impact, if it ramps up ambitions.
Trader Joe’s and Sprouts: Eliminating Unnecessary Plastics
Trader Joe’s, ranked fourth, has made visible efforts to eliminate unnecessary plastics nationwide—such as removing plastic produce bags and switching to compostable or paper-based alternatives. Sprouts Farmers Market, which scores highest in transparency, is proactively working with suppliers and experts to develop a robust single-use plastics strategy.
Transparency: An Essential Metric
Sprouts earned the top transparency score in the reporting, sharing details about plastics use and reduction plans. Greenpeace criticizes supermarkets that fail to publish comprehensive plastics data or progress reports—especially those choosing not to participate in the survey, such as Costco and Wegmans.
Why Recycling Is Not Enough
Greenpeace stresses that recycling alone cannot solve plastic pollution. Many “recyclable” items, especially thin-film and dirty plastics, end up in landfills or waterways. Instead, system-wide change is needed:
- Eliminate unnecessary disposable packaging
- Invest in reduction and reuse strategies rather than marginal recycling improvements
- Introduce package-free aisles, refill stations, and bulk-buying options
Greenpeace’s Recommendations for Grocers
- Adopt strong, public, time-bound commitments to radically reduce and eliminate single-use plastics
- Develop refill and reuse systems, including package-free options
- Publish clear data about plastics use and progress
- Engage with suppliers to prioritize sustainable alternatives
- Invest in education and outreach to build consumer support for package-free shopping
Call to Action
“It’s not enough for a retailer to eliminate plastic straws or make small changes to produce bags and walk away from this issue,” states Greenpeace’s campaigner David Pinsky. The organization intends to follow up with grocers regularly and publish updated rankings, incentivizing continued and meaningful action.
Challenges and Missed Opportunities
- The pandemic increased supermarket reliance on single-use plastics, halting or reversing reuse initiatives
- Grocers cite supply chain complexity and limited consumer awareness as barriers
- Most retailers lack comprehensive, measurable pathways for plastic elimination
- Some grocers’ sustainability efforts focus mainly on recycling, which is insufficient
Greenpeace and other advocates urge grocers not to backslide under pressure, but rather to view the pandemic as a call for accelerated innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How did Greenpeace collect and analyze data for the 2021 ranking?
Greenpeace used surveys, direct communications, and public information to score 20 major U.S. grocery retailers. Retailers were assessed on policies, reduction efforts, transparency, and innovation.
Why did all supermarkets receive failing scores in the latest report?
Despite some progress, none of the grocers implemented changes at a scale or urgency necessary to address plastic pollution. Most scored below 35 out of 100, indicating widespread deficiencies.
Which retailer made the most significant gains year-over-year?
Giant Eagle climbed from 16th to 1st place, driven by bold commitments to eliminate single-use plastics by 2025 and pioneering sustainable packaging solutions.
Is recycling a sufficient solution for supermarket plastic waste?
No. Greenpeace emphasizes that recycling alone cannot address the root problem. Reusable and refillable packaging, coupled with the elimination of unnecessary plastics, is key.
How can consumers support supermarket plastic reduction?
- Choose retailers that offer refill, reuse, and package-free options
- Bring reusable bags and containers for shopping
- Advocate for store-wide changes and transparency
- Reduce consumption of plastic-packaged goods when possible
Conclusion: Moving Towards a Plastic-Free Future
The Greenpeace 2021 supermarket ranking demonstrates that U.S. grocers have far to go in tackling the plastic pollution crisis. Bold leadership—like that shown by Giant Eagle and ALDI—is possible, but requires sustained commitment, transparency, and action at scale. Supermarkets must see beyond incremental change and address their true potential and responsibility as gatekeepers to a healthier, more sustainable world.
References
- https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/greenpeace-giant-eagle-ranked-1-major-grocery-retailer-at-reducing-single-use-plastic-reliance/
- https://www.wastetodaymagazine.com/news/greenpeace-report-ranks-grocers-single-use-plastics/
- https://www.supermarketnews.com/foodservice-retail/how-10-grocers-are-reducing-plastics
- https://goodfaithmedia.org/major-u-s-supermarkets-failing-on-plastic-reduction/
- https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/shopping-for-plastic-2021/
- https://www.waste360.com/plastics/greenpeace-study-finds-supermarkets-fail-to-address-plastic-pollution-crisis
- https://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/act/help-create-plastic-free-supermarkets/
- https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/report-the-smart-supermarket/
- https://www.beyondplastics.org/reports/shopping-for-plastic-2021
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