Discounter Aldi leads US HFC transition
2nd June 2026
USA: Discount retailer Aldi continues to lead US food retailers’ efforts to transition away from high GWP refrigerants, according to the latest reports from the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA).
Published just days after the US EPA rolled back requirements on refrigerant use in the sector, the EIA’s 2026 Climate-Friendly Supermarkets Scorecard charts the efforts of 16 of the leading US retailers to reduce refrigerant emissions.
Aldi continues to lead the scorecard overall, as well as in technology adoption. It remains the only company to have a public target to transition all new and existing stores to “natural” refrigerants.
This year, most companies reviewed have reported at least some of their store refrigeration systems are entirely HFC-free. Aldi US – scorecard leader and one of the most affordable supermarkets in the country – accounts for the largest share at nearly 1,000 of these stores.
EIA’s scorecard tracks progress across three categories: technology adoption of climate-friendly refrigerants, which it defines as those with GWPs below 10, refrigerant management (leak prevention and repair), and corporate commitments to reduce HFCs.
The EIA observes that 11 companies have a public commitment to reduce use or emissions of HFCs, but claims there is a gap in time-bound targets, interim benchmarks, and public updates on progress towards these goals. This, it says, proves that a regulatory framework is needed over corporate commitments alone.
“Our 2026 scorecard shows that affordability is not a barrier to climate leadership and regulatory uncertainty is no excuse for inaction,” said Avipsa Mahapatra, climate campaigner director at EIA US. “Companies that choose to fall behind can no longer argue that climate-friendly technology is too expensive, too difficult, or too early.”
Regional, family-owned supermarket Meijer leads on refrigerant management. Against a reported industry average annual leak rate of 25%, Meijer has reduced its leak rate to below 8%.
The EIA reports that only four companies – Aldi Meijer, Target, and Kroger – disclose leak rates for US stores, despite this data being required under EPA’s refrigerant leak repair record-keeping and reporting requirements.
The Supermarket Scorecard can be viewed here.
