Vons goes biodiesel
By Joe Piasecki 02/07/2008
With the help of Mayor Bill Bogaard, the Vons grocery store chain announced on Jan. 17 at Pasadena City Hall that its entire US truck fleet has been converted to run on a cleaner-burning blend of biodiesel fuel.
Vons trucks now burn B20 biodiesel, a blend of 20 percent soybean oil and 80 percent petroleum, said spokesman Richard Garcia (of no relation to the former PW art director of the same name). Later this year, he added, parent company Safeway Inc. will convert trucks for all of its US operations to B20 fuel.
Bogaard commended Vons' effort as being in line with they city's environmental goals.
Headquartered in Arcadia and operating four stores in Pasadena, Vons was recognized by the city last year for its recycling efforts, which include composting, cardboard recycling and reuse of pallets and crates. More than 90 percent of the chain's waste is diverted from landfills.
Garcia said there are also plans in the works for several Vons stores begin using solar power.
"With the progressive nature of the city - its new CNG facility just opened and use of hybrid as well as biodiesel vehicles - we thought it was a good match [for the announcement]," said Garcia. "And what more gorgeous location than Pasadena City Hall and the backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains?"
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