Green Era Campus and Mariano’s are celebrating 1 million pounds of food waste recycled into renewable energy and nutrient-rich compost.
The partnership began in 2023 at the Mariano’s location in Evergreen Park, Illinois, and eventually expanded to the Oak Lawn location.
The chain plans to include eight additional stores in the program (Bridgeport, Edgewater, Lakeshore East, New City, South Loop, Ukrainian Village and West Loop), bringing the total to 10 locations working toward a more sustainable future.
A banner store owned by The Kroger Co., which acquired it in 2015, Mariano’s has taken several steps to minimize waste in stores, including mark-down programs and donations to local food pantries such as the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Northern Illinois Food Banks.
Food items that are unsold or designated as inedible or waste go into the Green Era Campus anaerobic digester to avoid being sent to a landfill. They are then recycled into renewable energy and nutrient-rich compost that supports local food production and green spaces. Green Era also accepts packaged food waste for recycling.
“We are fully committed to our zero-waste initiative, and we are thrilled to have many of our locations in proximity to the first-of-its-kind campus focused around a food waste anaerobic digester,” said Michael Marx, division president of Mariano’s. “Generating renewable energy and nutrient-rich compost to grow more food is just one example of how Mariano’s is forging ahead as an industry leader.”
Jason Feldman, CEO of Green Era Campus, described Mariano’s as a “true innovator” in organics recycling and sustainability.
“[They’re] showing that packaged food waste can be diverted easily, affordably and responsibly,” he said. “Together, we’re transforming food waste into renewable energy, nutrient-rich compost and fresh food – advancing environmental stewardship while supporting smart, streamlined business operations. It’s a win for both the planet and the bottom line.”