Kroger Continues To Make Progress Toward Greater Environmental Sustainability

As Earth Day approaches, The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) is once again encouraging customers to design a reusable shopping bag through an online contest.

For the second year in a row, Kroger's Design a Reusable Shopping Bag Contest asks customers to submit designs for Kroger's reusable grocery bags. Kroger's colorful reusable bags have become a household staple with multiple uses. Every reusable bag has the potential to save 1,000 plastic bags over its lifetime.

Through May 15, customers can create their designs and vote on their favorite entries online at www.kroger.com/green. Anyone who designs a bag and has a valid shopper card will receive an electronic coupon loaded directly to their card for a free reusable bag ($0.99 value), where valid. Kroger has also partnered with CafePress so that designers can purchase a reusable bag featuring their design.

The winner of the contest will receive a $1,000 Kroger gift card and a chance to see their bag design sold in Kroger stores. Four finalists will be awarded $250 Kroger gift cards and five runners-up will receive $100 Kroger gift cards.

"Helping to sustain the environment and serve our communities is part of Kroger's core values. We partner with our customers and associates to offer choices that can make a real difference in the lives of our customers and their families every day," said Lynn Marmer, Group Vice President of Corporate Affairs.

Kroger also announced continued progress in several areas that support the company's ongoing commitment to green living and sustainability:

* Customers have responded enthusiastically to Kroger's efforts to encourage them to use more reusable bags. Kroger's family of stores sold more than six million reusable bags last year.
* Kroger's family of stores - together with its customers - recycled more than 16 million pounds of plastic last year. In addition, associates in every area of Kroger's business helped recycle nearly 1 billion pounds of corrugated cardboard and paper last year.
* Kroger's efforts to reduce energy use in its stores, plants, warehouses and offices continue to yield strong results. Since 2000, Kroger associates have saved enough energy to power every single-family home in Seattle for an entire year.
* Due to growing concerns and customer feedback regarding Bisphenol A (BPA), reusable and disposable baby bottles sold in Kroger's family of stores are now BPA-free. In addition, Kroger has removed other infant products containing BPA including pacifiers, toddler drinking cups and utensils from sale.

To learn more about Kroger's green living initiatives, or to enter the reusable bag design contest, please visit www.kroger.com/green.

Kroger, one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains, employs more than 326,000 associates who serve customers in 2,481 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states. Kroger operates stores under two dozen local banner names including, Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, Fry's, King Soopers, Smith's, Dillons, QFC and City Market. In addition, Kroger associates serve customers in 771 convenience stores, 385 fine jewelry stores and 781 supermarket fuel centers the Company operates. Kroger also operates 40 food processing plants in the U.S. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, health and wellness initiatives, and local schools and grassroots organizations in the communities it serves.