Bags to Boards: SpartanNash Celebrates Earth Day with Second Annual Accessibility Ramp Build

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SpartanNash (SPTN) celebrated Earth Day 2025 with its second annual 'Bags to Boards' initiative, partnering with Trex® and Home Repair Services to convert recycled plastic bags into accessibility ramps for Veterans. The program transforms approximately 157,500 recycled bags per ramp, collected from SpartanNash-operated stores including Family Fare, Martin's Super Market, D&W Fresh Market, and Forest Hills Foods.

The latest ramp was built by SpartanNash Associate volunteers for a West Michigan Vietnam War era Marine Veteran. The company has recycled over 5,000 pounds of plastic bags since 2023, with materials including produce bags, cereal box liners, and bubble wrap. In 2024, SpartanNash constructed ramps for five Veterans in West Michigan and plans to expand the program beyond the region in 2025.

Company's partnership with Trex^® and Home Repair Services highlights how plastic grocery bags can be converted into accessibility ramps for Veterans' homes

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Food solutions company SpartanNash^® (the "Company") (Nasdaq: SPTN) once again joined forces with Home Repair Services and Trex^® Company in honor of Earth Day, transforming plastic grocery bags recycled at Company-operated stores into accessibility ramps for Veterans in need. 

"By upcycling returned plastic bags into accessibility ramps for Veterans, we are giving the gift of mobility in a sustainable, eco-friendly way," said SpartanNash Chief Communications Officer Adrienne Chance. "It's a People First program that brings our store guests, Associates, nonprofit partners and community together to serve."

The ramp – which was constructed by SpartanNash Associate volunteers – will provide a safer home to a West Michigan Veteran, who served in the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam War era.

Each ramp requires approximately 157,500 recycled bags, which are collected year-round at SpartanNash-operated stores including Family Fare^®, Martin's Super Market, D&W^® Fresh Market and Forest Hills Foods^®. Trex, an eco-friendly decking company, then turns these plastic bags – which include produce bags, cereal box liners, bubble wrap and more – into composite decking boards. SpartanNash Associates then partner with Home Repair Services, a West-Michigan based organization providing income-based home repairs for those in need, to build the accessibility ramps.

"Sustainability is at the core of everything we do – and this project exemplifies how recycling can create real, tangible impact," said Dave Heglas, Senior Director of Recycled Materials at Trex Company. "By transforming everyday plastic waste into something as meaningful as accessible home ramps for Veterans, we're not just reducing landfill waste – we're building pathways to better lives. We're honored to be part of a collaboration that brings together environmental responsibility and community care in such a powerful way."

In 2024, SpartanNash built accessibility ramps for five Veterans in West Michigan. This year, the food solutions company will expand the 'Bags to Boards' program to other communities in its footprint, building ramps in West Michigan and beyond.

More than 5,000 pounds of plastic bags have been recycled at the Company's stores since 2023. More information regarding SpartanNash's recycling initiatives can be found in SpartanNash's Corporate Responsibility Report.

About SpartanNash
SpartanNash (Nasdaq: SPTN) is a food solutions company that delivers the ingredients for a better life. Committed to fostering a People First culture, the SpartanNash family of Associates is 20,000 strong. SpartanNash operates two complementary business segments – food wholesale and grocery retail. Its global supply chain network serves wholesale customers that include independent and chain grocers, national retail brands, e-commerce platforms, and U.S. military commissaries and exchanges. The Company distributes products for every aisle in the grocery store, from fresh produce to household goods to its OwnBrands, which include the Our Family^® portfolio of products. On the retail side, SpartanNash operates nearly 200 brick-and-mortar grocery stores, primarily under the banners of Family Fare, Martin's Super Markets and D&W Fresh Market, in addition to dozens of pharmacies and fuel centers with convenience stores. Leveraging insights and solutions across its segments, SpartanNash offers a full suite of support services for independent grocers. For more information, visit spartannash.com.

Trex^® is a registered trademark of Trex Company, Inc.

CONTACT:
Adrienne Chance 
SVP and Chief Communications Officer
SpartanNash
press@spartannash.com  

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SOURCE SpartanNash

FAQ

How many plastic bags does SpartanNash need to build one Veterans' accessibility ramp?

Each accessibility ramp requires approximately 157,500 recycled plastic bags collected from SpartanNash-operated stores.

How many Veterans received accessibility ramps from SpartanNash's Bags to Boards program in 2024?

SpartanNash built accessibility ramps for five Veterans in West Michigan during 2024.

What types of plastic materials does SpartanNash accept for their Veterans' ramp recycling program?

The program accepts plastic grocery bags, produce bags, cereal box liners, and bubble wrap collected at SpartanNash-operated stores.

How much plastic has SpartanNash recycled through their Bags to Boards program since 2023?

SpartanNash has recycled more than 5,000 pounds of plastic bags through their stores since 2023.

Which SpartanNash stores participate in the plastic bag recycling program for Veterans' ramps?

Participating stores include Family Fare, Martin's Super Market, D&W Fresh Market, and Forest Hills Foods.