Business View Magazine - Feb 2024

A FOCUS ON SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP As Cornerstone expands, sustainability has remained a core value. To show its commitment, the co-op has implemented several initiatives that minimize waste and promote responsible consumption. One initiative in particular, called Loop, focuses on connecting its local food retailers and farmers in a complementary partnership. “When you look at all the perishable goods that traditional food stores produce, there’s a lot of waste in order to be full and fresh to the customer every day,” Kralkay says, explaining that the Loop Resources initiative essentially aims to repurpose that waste in a way that will have a meaningful impact on the local ecosystem. It’s a win-win for both parties, and it’s been phenomenal for the environment, as the initiative has already diverted and repurposed over 300 tons of food scraps since 2018 that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill, to over 40 local farm and animal producers. However, Cornerstone’s environmental mindfulness does not end there; it can be found even in the operational practices of many of Cornerstone’s stores. All stores recycle cardboard. The home and building centres recycle metal and batteries and every location has a dedicated paper shredding procedure. Food store deli bistros play their part and collectively recycle thousands of liters of used cooking oil each year. All said, over 90% of waste is diverted from landfills. These unique initiatives are made possible thanks to the hyper-local vendor economy that has been created via the co-op’s resource network. To further explain, this essentially means that over 200+ products available in the Co-op’s food stores were manufactured less than 200 kilometers away from their retail locations. Cornerstone also leans on community engagement as a pillar of strength when promoting its initiatives. It established its Community Giving Program, showing • Mechanical • Electrical • Security • Building Automation • Energy E ciency Services Scan to Solve Your Facility Needs Today 191 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 02 CORNERSTONE CO-OP