Fresh & Easy's Revolutionary UV Ray Sanitation Method Reduces Impact on Environment

Fresh & Easy's Revolutionary UV Ray Sanitation Method Reduces Impact on
Environment
Grocer Uses One-of-a-Kind UV Surface Disinfection Machine

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., April, 3, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresh & Easy
Neighborhood Market is using a custom-built, one-of-a kind ultraviolet
sanitizing machine to clean and reuse its shipping and display packaging.
This innovative technology continues to significantly reduce the company's
carbon emissions, use of petroleum, and landfill waste.
As part of the company's commitment to reuse or recycle all packaging and
display materials, display packaging is transported from stores after use to
Fresh & Easy's distribution center. The plastic packaging is sent through the
UV machine which disinfects and sanitizes before reuse. The machine was
engineered and built by UV Doctor, a company which specializes in UV light
technologies. The UV sanitation process is more environmentally friendly and
an equally effective alternative to typical chemical cleaning methods.
To date, 192.5 tons of Fresh & Easy's display packaging has been reused or
recycled and diverted from landfills. It is also estimated 111,450 pounds of
CO2 were not released into the atmosphere by trucks transporting waste to
landfills because they were reused or recycled by Fresh & Easy.
"Reducing the amount of landfill waste we produce is an important
objective for Fresh & Easy," said CEO Tim Mason. "It is essential for us to
use new technologies and try new techniques to reduce our impact on the
environment. The ultraviolet light machine at our distribution center is
another way we are being thoughtful in what we do here at Fresh & Easy."
Fresh & Easy has committed to build LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) certified buildings, and voluntarily joined the
California Climate Action Registry to disclose its greenhouse gas emissions.
The company also invested in one of California's largest solar roof
installations on its distribution center in Riverside.
More information regarding Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market can be found
at www.freshandeasy.com.
SOURCE Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market

Brendan Wonnacott, +1-916-554-3466, cell, +1-310-384-3833, for Fresh & Easy
Neighborhood Market