Environmental Milestones |
When The Home Depot began its environmental program after Earth Day 1990, we
became determined to consider the environment in our business decisions. By
far, the most important way to positively impact the environment is through
the products we sell. We strive to bring you alternative, green products and
offer you choices when purchasing products based on their environmental
attributes. Over a decade has passed since we first swung into action. Take a
look below to review our progress so far, or review our
Supplier Social and Environmental Responsibility Program.
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2007
The Home Depot Foundation committed to invest $100 million over the next
decade to build over 100,000 green affordable homes and plant three million
trees. Eco Options products are introduced in the United States, and The Home
Depot is named the ENERGY STAR® partner of the year for the second year in a
row.
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2006
The Home Depot is named the ENERGY STAR® partner of the year. In addition,
The Home Depot donated $200,000 to the Conservation Fund Go Zero Program to
offset the carbon emissions from the Atlanta SSC, which is the largest
corporate facility to do so.
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2005
The Home Depot donated $1 million over three years to the Sustainable Forest
Products Global Alliance and the World Wildlife Fund.
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2004
The Home Depot introduced Eco Options products in Canada.
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2003
Awarded the Energy Star National Product Campaign award by the Environmental
Protection Agency. We are committed to the Energy Star program and actively
work with our suppliers to bring more Energy Star products to market, helping
customers save energy and money. Additionally, we have made improvements in
our own operations to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We have
developed a new store prototype that uses energy efficient lighting,
vestibules, and automatic lumber doors to reduce energy consumption.
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2002
After years of research, we determined item by item – from lumber to broom
handles, doors to molding and paneling to plywood – where our wood products
are harvested. We have shared our findings in the Wood Purchasing Policy
section of this Web site. We contributed over $1.5 million to environmental
nonprofit groups and entered into a partnership with The Nature Conservancy to
promote sustainable timber harvesting in Indonesia.
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2001
The Home Depot was ranked 6th in Fortune magazine’s Top Ten Most Admired
Companies and for eight consecutive years, the company has been ranked by
Fortune as America’s Most Admired Specialty Retailer. The Home Depot ranks #1
in Social Responsibility among American consumers, according to a recent
Internet-based survey conducted by Harris Interactive, Inc. and the Reputation
institute. Home Depot also ranks in the top five in categories of Emotional
Appeal, Products and Services, Workplace Environment, and Corporate
Reputation. (The Wall Street Journal, Feb. 7, 2001).
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2000
The Home Depot was listed in Fortune magazine’s Top Ten Most Admired Companies
and voted America’s Most Admired Retailer for the seventh consecutive year by
Fortune magazine. The Home Depot’s progressive corporate culture includes a
philanthropic budget of more than $25 million for 2000, which is directed back
to the communities Home Depot serves and the interests of its associates
through a Matching Gift Program.
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1999
Voted America's Most Admired Retailer for the sixth consecutive year by
Fortune magazine. The Home Depot's record of environmental and community
responsibility is one of eight ranking criteria. Granted over $750,000 to
environmental non-profit groups. Led industry as the first retailer to join
the Certified Forest Products Council demonstrating our commitment to third
party independently certified products. Created The Home Depot's Commuter
Connections Carpooling program available to over 3,000 associates in Atlanta,
Georgia.
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1998
Received an "A" rating for our environmental programs from the Council on
Economic Priorities' Corporate Report Card. Voted America's Most Admired
Retailer for the fifth consecutive year by Fortune magazine. Established The
Home Depot Environmental Council to create and implement environmental
policies and strategies of the company. Established Timber Task Force to
improve worldwide forest practices and review the environmental practices of
key vendors. Established Waste Management Task Force to further minimize store
waste, reduce packaging, and re-design products to be more environmentally
friendly. Established Store Construction Task Force to decrease the
"environmental footprint" of new stores. Established Alternative Products Task
Force to identify green alternative products throughout the store. Committed
$625,000 to environmental non-profit groups. Recycled over a million pounds of
plastic slip-sheeting used as a replacement for wooden pallets. Became lead
partner with 1-800-CLEANUP, a nationwide hotline that provides local recycling
information to our customers.
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1997
Became official sponsor of the first America Recycles Day. Received Vision for
America award from Keep America Beautiful for our commitment to American
communities.
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1996
Received President's Council for Sustainable Development Award with Scientific
Certification Systems and Collins Pine. Granted over $500,000 to support
environmental research education.
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1995
Celebrated 25th Anniversary of Earth Day with revised Environmental
Greenprint® and special environmental clinics in all stores. Committed
$400,000 to support environmental causes, raising three-year total to
$730,000. Environmental program selected by Renew America and the National
Awards Council for Environmental Sustainability to appear in Environmental
Success Index as "outstanding example of effective environmental solutions."
Recognized by the President's National Science and Technology Council in a
National Environmental Technology Strategy publication titled "Bridge to a
Sustainable Future." Presidential Securities Social Investment Research
Service highlighted environmental efforts by saying "Through a variety of
programs, Home Depot has managed to position itself on the cutting edge of
environmentally concerned specialty retailers, setting standards to which
other retailers can be compared."
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1994
Became world's first home center to offer both tropical and temperate region
wood products from forests independently certified as "Well-Managed" under
Scientific Certification System's Forest Conservation Program. Opened ninth
Recycling Depot operation. Donated $230,000 to a variety of environmental
groups, and sponsored Affordable Environmental Greenprint® with Habitat for
Humanity International. Demonstration home brought Environmental Greenprint®
to life by incorporating over 40 alternative products available at The Home
Depot. Led industry in changeover of interior doors to simulated wood from
tropical rainforest wood. Implemented program to replace all wood shipping
pallets with returnable and reusable "slip sheets," with goal of minimizing
solid waste and reducing energy used in transportation and pressure on
hardwood resources used to make wood pallets. Ranked by Fortune magazine as
second most admired of 400 U.S. corporations.
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1993
Installed permanent banners on front wall of all stores, pledging commitment
to continually improve environmental performance, community involvement, and
social responsibility. Opened Recycling Depot on one-acre site next to Duluth,
Georgia store, becoming world's first retailer to integrate a drive-thru
recycling center with a store. Became world's first home improvement retailer
to offer a product featuring an "Environmental Report Card." This
"eco-profile" empowered consumers by offering the most comprehensive
disclosure of environmental burdens ever included on a product label, based on
the findings of a "cradle-to-grave" life-cycle assessment of a product's
burdens from manufacture through use and disposal. Donated $100,000 to
environmental groups as part of the company's ongoing social responsibility
commitment. Received prestigious Honor Roll Award from National Environmental
Development Association. NEDA recognizes The Home Depot for its "innovative
environmental efforts."
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1992
To lead the U.S. EPA Lead Solder Education Initiative, discontinued sale of
lead plumbing solder. Published the company's first Environmental Greenprint®.
Became the first hardware industry retailer Partner in the U.S. EPA's Green
Lights Program, committing to continue to improve the performance of our
state-of-the-art computerized store lighting system. Began program to recycle
gypsum wallboard shipping packaging, with the goal of eliminating an
additional 10% of all solid waste. Program became hardware industry's first
reverse distribution effort, as material was returned to manufacturers and
added substantial volume to the corrugated cardboard that all stores recycled.
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1991
Published Environmental Principles, subsequently adopted by the National
Retail Hardware Association and Home Center Institute, representing over
46,000 U.S. retail hardware stores and home centers. Started using recycled
content materials for store and office supplies, advertising, signage, and
shopping bags. Established an evaluation process for suppliers who make
environmental marketing claims on product labels and optional independent
scientific certification.
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1990
Environmental effort begins on the 20th Anniversary of Earth Day. (The Home
Depot remains the only home center in North America with a full-time staff
dedicated to environmental issues.)
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