Environmental Sustainability

The biggest players in the world of retail have come together to form a Super Friends-like coalition, whose mission is to address the environmental and social impacts of their products. Made up of global retailers like Nike, Wal-Mart, Target and Gap among others, the “Sustainable Apparel Coalition” intends to create a universal Apparel Index that would eventually give retailers the opportunity to publish environmental scoring metrics on their products.

Retail giants, non-governmental organizations, academic experts, and the Environmental Protection Agency are banding together to reduce the social and environmental impacts of apparel and footwear products sold worldwide. 

Kohl’s Department Stores was recognized Wednesday with its second Green Power Partner of the Year honor at the Green Power Leadership Awards held in Portland, Ore., as part of the annual Renewable Energy Markets Conference.

Kohl’s is expanding its solar program into Pennsylvania, it revealed last week as it activated its 100th solar array. On average, each project will comprise 1,400 panels and have the ability to provide nearly half of each store’s electricity supplies — the equivalent of enough power for 36 homes.

Timberland is putting its best foot forward in a new global campaign showcasing the Earthkeepers collection of eco-friendly apparel. The effort, dubbed "Nature Needs Heroes," includes TV, print and retail ads, as well as social media and a microsite that uses 3-D technology to help consumers become better acquainted with Earthkeepers.

It's been an eventful couple of years for cross-channel specialty coffee retailer Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR). From acquisitions (three in the last 18 months) to the launch of a B-to-B wholesale website, GMCR has been busy growing its 29-year-old brand.

Claims that have been made about direct mail’s impact on the environment have been uniformly negative, with a significant level of misinformation. In fact, the reality is that the mailing industry, through its investments in programs and initiatives to address and further reduce the environmental impact associated with all six lifecycle stages of letter mail, deserves some recognition for its efforts.

Office Depot will open its first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Commercial Interiors (CI) registered store. The global provider of office products and services expects the Austin, Texas, store to be certified a few months after opening.

Best Buy said it also plans to invest in a centralized, ultrasonic humidification system, which it said with both save energy and provide a return on investment within a year.  The company will also focus on reducing fleet fuel use, tighter operational controls, reduced plug loads, and carbon offsets or renewable energy credits.

Pan American Develop-ment Foundation (PADF): This nonprofit organization that creates public-private partnerships to assist disadvantaged people in Latin America and the Caribbean has launched a print catalog of corporate social responsibility and cause-related marketing opportunities in those regions. The 28-page book provides an overview of PADF projects that are well-suited for private-sector participation.