“With the Walker Grinder, we expected more available floor space and reduced odours. What we didn’t expect was how engaged our Team Members would be as they can demonstrate how our store’s organic waste is diverted from landfill and repurposed via anaerobic digestion.”
Danielle Reid, MSc.,
Sustainability Coordinator, Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc.
Case Studies
Featured Case Study
How Longo’s in East Gwillimbury reduced its organic waste volume by 65% using the patented Walker Grinder solution.
|Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc., Ontario
Less odours, pests and environmental impacts than traditional organic waste tote programs.
Longo’s is a multi-generational family-owned business with traditional stores and small-format urban locations across Ontario. Sustainability has been a top driver in the company’s decision-making process as it continues to grow. With waste diversion and reduction a priority, and the company building more efficient and sustainable facilities, they were facing challenges with smaller urban locations.
Limited floor space created difficulties disposing of unsold perishables in a way that complemented their sustainability model. Bins from traditional tote programs required too much space, and on-site decomposition created potential risks like odours and visits from unwanted pests. Recognizing Longo’s need for a better disposal solution, Walker approached them about implementing its specialized Walker Grinder in its East Gwillimbury location.
The Walker Grinder is designed to reduce the amount of store space organic waste occupies and enable stores like Longo’s to uphold their sustainability and waste diversion objectives.
The Walker Grinder grinds organic food waste and houses it in a self-contained holding tank until collection. Unlike traditional tote storage, the ORRS tank is airtight, so pests can’t get in, and odours won’t get out. Not only that, but Longo’s reduces its impacts and keeps its promise of environmental stewardship – one of three key pillars in the chain’s sustainability strategy.
65% organic waste volume reduction
per month over traditional tote programs.
25+ tonnes diverted monthly
from landfills.
Lower emissions & disposal costs
with more time between waste collection and transportation.
Increase efficiencies beyond heating and electricity
Walker’s specialized organics disposal equipment is custom built to each store’s unique space and waste volume needs. This means more available floor space for your operations while decreasing your environmental footprint. The Walker Grinder:
- Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by diverting excess organic waste from landfill where it creates methane
- Ensures waste is delivered to anaerobic digester partners where it contributes to the production of biofuel
- Reduces waste transportation emissions with an organic waste holding tank that holds more waste for longer periods between collection
“Walker supported us throughout the whole process of piloting the Walker Grinder in a new store. They were by our side during installation, training, creating communication materials and reporting on our waste diversion and reduction goals.”
Danielle Reid, MSc.,
Sustainability Coordinator, Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc.
What are your organic waste diversion goals?
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