The Hy-Vee Chariton Distribution Center sits on a 95-acre campus, which consists of a 700,000-square foot grocery warehouse, a 435,000-square-foot perishables warehouse including both produce and frozen items, and a 120,000-square-foot health, beauty, cosmetics and pharmacy warehouse. More than 24,000 items are offered for retail delivery from the warehouses. Warehouse operations move approximately 1.75 million cases of product on a weekly basis.
On campus is a graphic production department with a print shop and sign shop that provides simple design work and a variety of printed items for Hy-Vee's retail and distribution locations, including convenience stores, pharmacies and restaurants.
The 10,400-square-foot truck shop, 6,776-square-foot truck wash and 3,000-square-foot fuel island maintain a fleet of more than 155 tractors, more than 250 reefer trailers and more than 160 van trailers. To achieve certification, the Chariton Distribution Center pursued the following actions:
- A thorough review of all aspects of waste generation in every area of the facility to ensure materials are being diverted via the highest method possible on the zero waste hierarchy.
- A new paperless payroll system and Warehouse Management System platform were implemented to maintain control of inventory levels of all product, while also helping the distribution center reduce paper.
- A temperature recorder program using reusable RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags for all temperature sensitive loads was implemented.
- Numerous reusable items, such as plastic pallets, plastic hinged totes, RPC’s (reusable plastic containers), bread trays, soda trays, etc. are used for the transportation of goods to stores.
- Compostable materials are collected separately from other materials generated in campus break areas. This same compost is then distributed and sold through Hy-Vee’s retail stores. Organic waste from warehousing activities is processed through an off-site service provider’s anaerobic digestion facility.
- Implemented practices and programs including an Environmentally Preferred Purchasing guidelines, sustainable grounds keeping requirements, inter-office supplies reuse process and partnerships with numerous local organizations to donate applicable salvaged food waste, animal food waste and salvaged cat litter.
- An in-depth zero waste training module was created and implemented as part of the Hy-Vee Chariton Distribution Center’s annual training program for all site employees.
"This Platinum level TRUE certification is a very rewarding achievement as it demonstrates the concerted effort by the entire Hy-Vee Chariton Distribution team. We are honored to have been recognized for our work and will continue to strive for excellence in our sustainability efforts."-Brandan Reed, Compliance Manager / Zero Waste Coordinator