Environmental Sustainability

Ikea has officially plugged in the solar energy system installed at its store in Portland, Ore. The 62,500-square-foot photovoltaics array consists of a 497.3 kilowatt system, built with 2,072 solar panels.

Models in bikinis armed with water guns? It's just another day at the American Apparel factory in downtown Los Angeles. Business Insider points to the company's online factory tour, which includes a video showcasing American Apparel at its greenest.

Clothing from H&M, Adidas, Ralph Lauren and Nike, among others, discharges a significant amount of hazardous chemicals into water systems when washed, according to a Greenpeace report. Among the samples that Greenpeace tested, those companies' clothes emitted the highest percentage of nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) on the first wash, according to Dirty Laundry: Reloaded: How big brands are making consumers unwitting accomplices in the toxic water cycle.

Kohl’s was honored with the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2012 Energy Star Award for Sustained Excellence at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes Kohl’s long-term commitment to protecting the environment through energy-efficiency initiatives. Kohl’s was recognized by the EPA in 2010 and 2011 as an Energy Star Partner of the Year, and in 2011 also became the first retailer to be named an EPA Green Power Partner of the Year for three consecutive years.

Wal-Mart's Greenwash, a new report from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, suggests "Wal-Mart's sustainability campaign has done more to improve the company's image than to help the environment."

Best Buy has joined the Energy Department's National Clean Fleet's Partnership, a broad public-private partnership that assists the nation's largest fleet operators in reducing the amount of gasoline and diesel they use nationwide. 

Wal-Mart's heavily promoted sustainability initiatives have done more to improve the company's image than to help the environment, according to research by the nonprofit Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Leading High Street retailer Marks & Spencer has announced that it will be supporting the Marine Conservation Society in cleaning up British beaches this spring. The first-ever Marks & Spencer Big British Cleanup will take place between May 11 and May 13 at 50 locations around the country. 

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and The Home Depot launched an online green home products database that features products geared toward green home building, including items that could earn USGBC LEED for Homes points.

Nike has unveiled Netherlands’ new Away National Team Kit just in time for the London Olympic Games. The soccer jerseys, made of 100 percent recycled materials, is one of the most eco-friendly sportswear lines to date, in keeping with the brand's commitment to superior athletic performance and lower environmental impact.