Calgary Co-op Voted "Most Respected Corporation" for Environmental
Stewardship

CALGARY , Nov. 23 /CNW/ - Calgary Co-op, an Alberta Venture Magazine Venture 100 company, was named one of its Most Respected Corporations (MRC) for 2009 in the Environmental Stewardship category. The MRC's awards are voted on by over 2,500 executives from across Alberta in an annual poll conducted by Alberta Venture Magazine. Calling us the "Greenest Grocer", Calgary Co-op was recognized for its energy management, recycling and waste reduction programs.

"We are honoured to receive this award, which means a lot to us," says Donna Burn , vice president of member and public relations for Calgary Co-op. "It shows that our commitment to reducing our ecological footprint is being demonstrated through our actions and not just our words." An important step in this process will be the grand opening of Calgary Co-op's newest food centre in the new Quarry Park commercial complex located in Douglasglen in southeast Calgary . The new energy efficient food centre will feature the most up-to-date energy-efficient coolers, freezers and equipment, a heat reclamation system, internal LED lighting, as well as comprehensive recycling and waste management programs.

In addition to these programs, Calgary Co-op has offered a grocery shopping bag recycling service for more than 15 years - long before others jumped on board plastic bag recycling initiatives. "Our Bags to Riches program enables customers to re-use and recycle their plastic and other shopping bags when in our stores," says Sarah Boutron, Calgary Co-op's manager of communications.

"Our program provides a three cent per bag credit that the customer can apply to their grocery purchase or donate to our designated charities," adds Boutron. "Last year, customers donated over $19,000 to local charities through this recycling program."

Locally owned and operated, Calgary Co-op is one of the largest retail co-operatives in North America with annual sales of $1 billion , over 435,000 member-owners and 4,000 employees. Calgary Co-op operates 22 retail food centres, 22 pharmacies, 27 gas bars and seven travel agencies in Calgary , Airdrie, Okotoks and Strathmore, Alberta. Calgary Co-op also owns and operates Calgary Co-op Home Health Care Limited in Calgary , and Calgary Co-op Wines & Spirits Limited with 17 locations in Calgary and surrounding communities.

For further information: Sarah Boutron, Manager, Communications, Member and Public Relations, Calgary Co-operative Association Limited, Phone: [phone], ext. 6105, Cell: [phone]