Metro

Key Findings and Recommendation

• Corporate Commitment: Based on available public information, Metro has failed to commit to reducing toxic chemicals and plastics or supporting safer solutions. Metro should publicly commit to develop and implement a corporate safer chemicals policy and actively explore best practices with peer organizations and outside experts.
• Transparency: There is no indication Metro requires suppliers to disclose chemical ingredients or plastics to the retailer or consumers, nor that it requires testing to ensure products are free of hazardous chemicals or plastics beyond regulatory compliance. Metro should require ingredient disclosure, verify accuracy, and evaluate its chemical footprint.
• Ban the Bad: Metro does not have a publicly available restricted substance list (RSL) or manufacturing restricted substance list (MRSL) but does have a “Better Packaging for Better Recycling” guide that identifies packaging materials to avoid: rigid PVC, polystyrene, and BPA-lined cans. The retailer shifted to bisphenol-free receipt paper in 2021 but has not documented additional progress on chemicals nor set time-bound, quantifiable goals for reducing chemicals of high concern or plastics of high concern.
• Safer Solutions: Metro has taken one step toward safer solutions, eliminating BPA in thermal receipt paper and switching to a safer alternative. Metro should publicly adopt a definition of safer alternative consistent with Washington state and join other retailers in committing to invest financial resources in tools and research to help its suppliers evaluate safer alternatives to chemicals and plastics of high concern.