United States Cold Storage

Carbon Footprint Monitoring and Reduction

Alternative Energy Sources

Improving Energy Efficiency

Water Reduction

Recycling and Waste Reduction

As a premier provider of temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics services, United States Cold Storage is committed to offering highly reliable, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable solutions to the frozen and refrigerated food industry. We believe it is important to build high-quality warehouses, equip them with the newest, most efficient refrigeration technology available and manage them with strong local management teams who are continuously measuring and improving operations performance.

With 35 facilities and nearly 200 million cu. ft. of storage space nationwide, an important aspect of performance is managing the impact we have on the environment. Five years ago USCS began benchmarking CO2 emissions. Today, we've set sustainability goals to reduce our carbon emissions by seeking out and utilizing alternative sources of energy and improving energy efficiency, to lower our use of non-renewable and limited resources like water, to expand recycling efforts and actively curb the waste and by-products associated with warehousing and distribution.

USCS is committed to the safe, secure use of advanced refrigeration technology along with responsibly managing resources in order that we meet the evolving requirements of the communities we serve - our customers, our employees and our industry.

Carbon FootPrint Monitoring and Reduction

A critical part of US Cold Storage's sustainability efforts is enabling our performance to be benchmarked and shared to drive further improvements. Through the stewardship of our parent company, London-based Swire, USCS voluntarily participates in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), a global effort to collect and report on corporate climate change information and strategies.

Our overall sustainability goal is to be 'Best in Class' and achieve a 1.5 percent year over year reduction in energy usage (kWh per cubic feet) which equates to a similar reduction in greenhouse gases as measured in lbs per cubic feet. USCS's drive for improved energy efficiency has had a direct impact on our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions enabling us to achieve reductions each year since 2005.

Carbon FootPrint Monitoring and Reduction

Top

Alternative Energy Sources

As we challenge ourselves to find ways to reduce our environmental impact, we are examining new and better products that produce 'clean' energy. In September 2008, USCS installed its first solar array at our Tulare, California warehouse. The Tulare Solar Array, which was installed on the roof of the warehouse, will generate approximately 785,000 kWh offsetting 14% of the facility's annual electricity requirements - energy that would otherwise come from traditional electricity sources with higher emissions and that include the use of non-renewable resources.

Given the initial success of the program, USCS is planning to install additional solar arrays in other facilities over the next five years and to explore alternative, cooperative funding initiatives including Power Purchase Agreements whereby third party investors pay to install, operate and maintain solar systems on USCS buildings.

Other renewable sources of energy Rooftop Solar Array, Tulare, California that USCS is actively studying are wind energy and stationary fuel cell power plants. Scalable wind turbines mounted on our buildings could provide another low impact source of power. And natural gas stationary fuel cells can generate high-quality, ultra-clean electrical power 24/7.

Rooftop Solar Array, Tulare
California

Top

Improving Energy Efficiency

Refrigeration and warehouse lighting comprise 90% of the electrical demand of our warehouses. Thus great emphasis is placed on the design and operation of our warehouses and refrigeration systems.

In addition to the advanced features of our newest facilities, USCS invests in retrofitting existing warehouses to improve performance and reduce energy consumption. USCS facilities feature these technologies:

CO2 Cascade refrigeration systems
Bi-level fluorescent and Pulse Start HID Lighting
Variable Frequency Drives on evaporators and condensers
High efficiency motor s and electronic starters
High efficiency evaporator and condenser design
Highly-reflective white roof membranes
High speed bi-parting freezer doors
Energy optimized refrigeration control systems
High frequency battery chargers
Continuous Pit Dock Door Design

USCS is the only public refrigerated warehouse to utilize the innovative Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Cascade refrigeration system. Four warehouses currently operate using this system with two more under construction and set to open by Summer 2009 in Turlock, CA and Lebanon, IN. Carbon Dioxide Cascade refrigeration systems are proving to be more efficient, simpler to maintain, and safer to operate than typical two- or singlestage ammonia refrigeration systems. As of the end of 2009, approximately 23% of USCS' storage space will be refrigerated using this system.

Looking ahead, USCS sees an opportunity to dramatically reduce energy demands and increase efficiency through the use of LED lighting both on the dock and in the freezer. LED lighting emits less heat than conventional light bulbs and uses a fraction of the electricity.

Typical Refrigerated Warehouse Energy Use

Top

Water Reduction

Water is an essential natural resource that is utilized for refrigeration, hygiene, and irrigation purposes. In 2006, USCS established a historical baseline for water use and waste water generation. In the future, USCS will benchmark its progress, targeting a 1.5 percent reduction year over year, as measured in gallons per cubic feet. Our focus will be on increasing condenser water recirculation, use of water harvesting technologies for irrigation and gray water purposes, and the installation of high efficiency faucets, urinals and toilets.

Top

Recycling and Waste Reduction

Paper, shrink wrap, corrugated packaging, wood, recyclables and refrigeration oil, are waste by-products of our warehouse operations. Starting in 2008 USCS mandated the conversion and future use of synthetic refrigeration oil. In 2009, USCS egan partnering with Environm ental Waste Solutions to help measure waste generation, identify and employ new recycling sources and methods, and introduce new disposal and recycling technologies to help drive out waste and cost from our day-to-day operations.

Top