Tops Friendly Markets says it has switched to BioFlex bags instead of traditional plastic bags for its potatoes, part of its continuing efforts to adopt practices that help protect the environment.
“BioFlex ticked all the boxes for us,” Jeff Cady, director produce and floral for Tops, said in a news release. “A quality product solution that is engineered to break down in landfills all while diverting greenhouse gas emissions. A win-win.”
BioFlex is a sustainable technology that increases the natural microbial activity in modern landfills and contributes 19 times more energy than that of regular plastic. The packaging is Food and Drug Administration compliant and safe for food contact, and it can be designed to maintain recyclability, according to the release.
“This new packaging is 100% recyclable and also biodegrades in landfills and converts into renewable methane gas,” David Masser, president of Sterman Masser Inc., said in a news release. “Tops was the first retail chain to adopt this technology and has the most distribution to date.”
Tops says it also provides products with Mother Nature in mind year round. Tops Full Circle line of products are nontoxic, plant-based and free of dyes and fragrances, the release said.
Tops says it further enhanced its fleet of trucks in 2022 by converting to 48 new compressed natural gas trucks with sustainability benefits. Fueled with clean burning natural gas, opposed to diesel fuel, these new trucks will eliminate 3,246 MT of carbon dioxide equivalent per year by fueling 1,000,000 diesel gallon equivalents of renewable natural gas, according to release.
That's equivalent to eliminating 33,389,607 miles driven by a passenger vehicle, 502,034 incandescent lamps switched to LED’s or 563,607 trash bags of waste recycled instead of being placed in a landfill, the release said.
“Our ongoing commitment to sustainability is met with enthusiasm and resolve every day, as we work to ensure we leave our communities — and our planet — better for the next generation,” John Persons, president of Tops Friendly Markets, said in the release. “We are excited to be working with so many business partners whose values align with our environmental conservation vision."
Related link: More about Tops' sustainability efforts