Contact:
Elizabeth DiSanto, Oceans Associate, (401) 602-0260, [email protected]
Juliana Clejan, Zero Waste Associate, (631) 377-6892, [email protected]
Taran Volckhausen, Communications Associate, (720) 212-9955, [email protected]
Shareholders demand that Whole Foods eliminate single-use plastic packaging
This is due to consumer pressure on the company, which was forced to place plastic over the environment.
BOSTON Green Century Capital Management and Amazon shareholder Sara Sackner, with support from shareholder advocacy organization As You Sow, have jointly filed a shareholder resolution with Amazon.com, Inc.* (Amazon) urging the company to reduce its use of plastic packaging across its operations, including Whole Foods Market. Green Century is a PIRG and Environment Americas affiliate mutual fund company. This is the second consecutive year Green Century has filed a shareholder resolution aimed at plastics at Whole Foods.
Elizabeth DiSanto (oceans associate with Environment America) said that grocery stores like Whole Foods play a significant role in fighting plastic pollution. They are responsible for packaging our food in single-use plastic, which pollutes waterways and litters beaches, as well as causing harm to ocean life, such as whales, sea turtles and dolphins.
Over Packaging accounts for 28% of all U.S. trashThis amounts to 82 million tonnes of material that is usually thrown away after a product has been purchased or used. Environment America, PIRG, and coalition partners campaigned for Whole Foods to stop using single-use plastic. Nearly 80,000 consumer signatures have been collected in support of the coalition.
Whole Foods Market has always been a leader in sustainability when it comes to grocery stores. It was named the “Best Grocery Store” in 2004. First United States grocer2008: To phase out plastic bags at checkout counters. Whole Foods has taken Small stepsSince then, they have worked to reduce plastics by offering paper straws, paper grocery bag, and smaller plastic produce bags as well as removing polystyrene foam completely from their stores.
Whole Foods has remained behind its competitors in terms reducing their plastic use. It was able to reduce plastic use for the second consecutive year. Received an FAs You Sow is being held responsible for not having a comprehensive plan for dealing with plastic waste.
It is obvious that Whole Foods sells plastic packaging. Juliana Clejan, a PIRGs Zero Waste campaign associate, stated that it is almost impossible to shop without buying plastic. It is time for Whole Foods not to use so much plastic packaging.
Amazon shareholders voted to support the resolution that called for the company’s move away from plastics last year. Environment America and PIRG led a Thanksgiving celebration. social media week of actionWhole Foods should stop using single-use plastic packaging. Participants stressed that they only shop at stores that actively work to eliminate single-use plastic packaging and urged Whole Foods not to forget about the environment.
DiSanto stated that nothing we use for just a few seconds should last hundreds of years. We need to stop this problem at its source, and get Whole Foods grocery stores to reduce their plastic use.
Environment America is a national network that includes 29 state environmental groups. Our staff works together to ensure clean air, clean water and open spaces and a livable environment. Our research and advocacy are supported by grassroots support from our members across the United States. Environment America is part The Public Interest Network. This network runs organizations committed to a shared vision for a better world, a set a core values and a strategic approach in getting things done.
U.S. PIRG federation is a federation independent, state-funded, citizen-funded Public Interest Research Groups located in 25 states. Their role is to find common ground around commonsense strategies that will make our future more secure, healthier, and safer. The Public Interest Network operates and supports organizations who share a vision for a better world and take a strategic approach toward social change. Find out more at uspirg.org.
Green Century Capital Management
Green Century Capital Management, Inc. (Green Century), is the investment advisor for the Green Century Funds (The Funds). The Green Century Funds is the first family of mutual funds that are fossil fuel-free, responsible, and diversified in the United States. Green Century Capital Management has an award-winning, in-house shareholder advocacy program. It is the only mutual funds company in the U.S. that is completely owned by environmental and health nonprofit organizations.
*As of December 31, 2021, Whole Foods Market, Inc. compromised 0.13%, 0.00%, and 0.00% and Amazon.com, Inc. comprised 0.00%, 0.00%, and 0.00% of the Green Century Balanced Fund, the Green Century Equity Fund, and the Green Century International Index Fund respectively. As of the same date, the Green Century Funds did not have any other securities in their portfolios. Referring to specific securities, which may change due to ongoing management by the Funds should not be taken as a recommendation of the Funds or their administrator.
The percentage of favor was calculated by (i), dividing the number vote in support of the proposition by (ii), adding the sum of the votes voted in favor and against the proposal. The calculation did not include broker non-votes and abstentions.
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This information was compiled using reliable sources. These views are current as of the date of writing and reflect the opinions of the Advisor to Funds.
UMB Distribution Services, LLC distributes the Green Century Funds. 235 W Galena Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212. 1/22
