Meijer Recognized as Michigan Sustainable Business of the Year by Michigan Sustainable Business Forum

Meijer surpassed emissions reduction targets in 2025

Michigan Sustainable Business Forum named Meijer one of its inaugural Michigan Sustainable Business of the Year winners at the 12th Annual Triple Bottom Line Bash last month at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids. The company won the Large Company category, which recognizes businesses with more than $500 million in sales that have operations and sustainable business decision-makers in Michigan.  

In early 2022, Meijer announced a goal to reduce absolute carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2025, relative to a 2018 baseline. This target was ambitious—five years ahead of the 2030 reduction timeline that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change outlined.

The target was met and surpassed a year ahead of schedule with a 57 percent reduction in 2023 and a 59 percent reduction in 2024.  These reductions were achieved through several initiatives.

• Renewable energy investments, including two virtual power purchase agreements for wind and solar, provide roughly 1 million megawatts of clean electricity annually. 
• Energy efficiency improvements across more than 270 stores include LED lighting, equipment upgrades, and pilot programs such as geothermal refrigeration and a linear generator to reduce electricity and natural gas use. 
• On-site solar installations further contribute to emission reductions.

Meijer has also improved refrigerant management, earning recognition for the lowest corporate-wide refrigerant emissions among EPA GreenChill partners. The company continues efforts to reduce food waste, support a circular economy, and protect the Great Lakes, demonstrating comprehensive sustainability leadership.

“We are truly honored to be named Michigan Sustainable Business of the Year,” said Erik Petrovskis, Director of Environmental Compliance and Sustainability at Meijer. “This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team in surpassing our emissions reduction goals, advancing renewable energy, and supporting a more sustainable future for Michigan. We remain committed to leading the way in environmental stewardship and making a positive impact in the communities we serve.”

The signature event of the state’s sustainability community, this year’s Triple Bottom Line Bash hosted more than 350 professionals, supporters and their families to recognize businesses, institutions and professionals from around the state.  This was the first year for the Michigan Sustainable Business of the Year Awards program, which had previously been organized as a regional event focused on western Michigan. Award winners and finalists were nominated by Forum members and selected by a committee of their peers.  

Meijer was previously recognized as a West Michigan Sustainable Business of the Year in 2022 and 2021. 

Finalists in the Large Company category included Meijer, MillerKnoll, and Steelcase. 

“These are the well-resourced and mature programs that are setting the pace for business leadership to address climate change, promote social justice, and to establish a circular economy in Michigan and within their industries,” said Daniel Schoonmaker, executive director of Michigan Sustainable Business Forum.  “All three of our finalists have been recognized as a West Michigan Sustainable Business of the Year at some point in the past decade.  At least seven members of our Hall of Fame have spent at least part of their career at these companies.  They are the reason that two of the first three green-certified buildings on the planet are in Michigan.  They are at least indirectly the reason that organizations like the Forum and many of its peer organizations in the state exist.  And they are continuing to lead today.

The selection committee noted that Meijer’s verified 59% carbon reduction, achieved ahead of schedule, remains “unmatched in scale and transparency, with strong Michigan-based operations ensuring local environmental and economic benefit.”