S.O.R.T. it!^™

S.O.R.T. it!™ is our three-stream waste sorting system that reduces landfill use by diverting various wastes away from the trash and into channels of reuse.  

Why S.O.R.T. it?

At The Markets, we are continually pursuing new ways to minimize our impact on the environment. One important area of focus is how we manage our waste. Putting everything in the trash would be easy and convenient, but consider the impact that has on human health and our environment. When you throw something in the trash, it is either buried in a landfill or burned at an incineration facility. Burning trash emits toxic chemicals and particulate matter into the air we breathe. Meanwhile, landfills have become America’s largest human-related source of methane, a greenhouse gas with 21 times more climate-warming energy than carbon dioxide.

To reduce our landfill use, we try to follow the philosophy that “one person’s junk is another person’s treasure.” For example, we donate our food surplus to local food banks. We offer our produce trimmings to local farmers to feed to their livestock. Rendering companies collect our meat scraps and transform them into useful materials and products. Our fryer grease is collected and refined into biofuels. Any leftover organic waste, such as food scraps, floral clippings, waxed cardboard, paper towels and other compostable materials, is sent to commercial composting facilities where it biodegrades into valuable soil amendments.

Diverting our waste from the trash and transforming it into resources has allowed us to make significant reductions in landfill use. This year, we've already cut our landfill use in half. In 2009, we plan to bump that up to a 70 percent reduction - and we need your help. By separating organics and recyclables from trash, your participation in the S.O.R.T. it! program will allow us to minimize our ecological footprint and make a difference in the community. 

The Program at a Glance

Recovery of reuseable waste

(i.e. surplus food donations, grease for fuel, meat scraps for rendering, produce surplus for animal feed)

Recovery of recyclable waste

(i.e. glass, cans, plastic containers, plastic bags, wrap and film, cardboard, scrap metal, fluorescent lights, batteries, electronics)

Recovery of compostable waste

(i.e. food waste, paper towels, napkins, tissues, waxed paper, waxed cardboard, coffee grounds, produce scraps, floral clippings)

More than a 50% reduction in landfill use among participating stores

Disposal cost nearly cut in half

Increased awareness among team members and customers

Founding member of Sustainable Connections’ Toward Zero Waste campaign

"We are reducing our ecological impact and saving money, which allows us to pass on the savings to our customers.  It’s a win-win!”

Toward Zero Waste

We are proud to be a founding member of Sustainable Connections' Toward Zero Waste program. 

Our Commitments & Goals: 

• Donate all unsalable food surplus to local food banks
   
• Minimize landfill use by diverting all recyclable and compostable waste out of the trash and into channels of reuse
   
• Achieve at least a 50% reduction in landfill use by 2009, and continue approaching “zero waste
   
• Make consistent and conscious efforts to prevent waste from occurring