Therm Solutions, a food supply chain decarbonisation driver, has launched the first carbon credit project aimed at reducing food waste in the grocery sector. The project spans over 1,300 grocery retail and 18 food distribution locations across seven US states, designed to redirect edible food intended for landfills to donation centres, addressing both climate change and food insecurity. This initiative is listed on Verra’s VCS Registry.
The project aims to issue over 112,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (mTCO2e) annually in carbon credits, which are generated from the avoided landfill emissions. These carbon credits provide financial incentives for grocers to increase their edible food donations, offering a practical solution to the environmental and humanitarian challenges posed by food waste.
“Decarbonising the food supply chain by targeting food waste at its source—grocery stores—is a major opportunity for both people and the planet. Food waste is a complex problem for the industry, and historically grocers haven’t had a climate-friendly, cost-effective solution. Through carbon credits, Therm empowers grocers to adopt sustainable practices that benefit their operations, the environment, and the American people,” said Fritz Troller, CEO and co-founder of Therm.
Food waste remains a critical issue in the United States, with 38% of the food supply wasted in 2022 while 44.2 million Americans faced hunger. This waste not only generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas, but also squanders valuable resources like electricity and water. For grocery retailers, reducing food loss is challenging due to high costs and logistical hurdles, making it easier to discard food than implement sustainable practices.
Grocery stores across the United States are eligible for carbon credits and can generate them through various food waste reduction activities and climate-friendly refrigerant solutions. By offering these credits, Therm is setting a new industry standard, making climate- and community-conscious actions a smart business choice for grocers nationwide.