Nov 30 - Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News - Melissa McGrath The Idaho Statesman, Boise

Visit any local Albertsons grocery store and you'll see a bright yellow-and-black sign at the entrance, informing you that the store is cutting back on the amount of energy it uses.

Albertsons Inc. has implemented what it calls an "aggressive energy management program" in its 2,500 stores in 37 states.

The energy conservation policies are the latest in the Boise-based grocery chain's efforts to promote green business practices. For years, the grocery chain also has had a recycling program.

In October, Albertsons received the America's Marketplace Recycles! Award for its recycling policies. The award, which is given to companies that recycle and reduce solid waste, is from the International Council of Shopping Centers in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency.

"As one of the nation's largest retailers, we can make a significant difference in protecting the environments of the communities we serve by incorporating sound business practices like recycling and energy conservation into the daily operations of our 2,500 stores, our distribution centers and our offices," Larry Johnston, Albertsons chairman, president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.

The grocery chain recycles a variety of materials, including corrugated cardboard, plastics, wooden pallets and cooking oil.

The cardboard is shipped to paper mills so they can extract the fibers, and the plastics from grocery bags and stretch film are recycled to make composite lumber, said Danielle Killpack, an Albertsons spokeswoman. Other materials are given to local recycling centers.

As energy costs have risen after hurricanes struck the Gulf Coast earlier this year, Albertsons, like many other companies, also is trying to reduce the amount of electricity it uses. The company hopes to cut its electrical use by at least 20 million kilowatt hours a month, Albertsons officials said in a statement.

To do this, new Albertsons stores are adding skylights, energy efficient lighting systems and motion sensor lighting. Albertsons also is upgrading its existing stores with more efficient refrigeration systems and motion sensors in offices and restrooms, Killpack said.