Depot beefs up its Responsibility Report

The Home Depot published its sustainability progress in its 2020 Responsibility Report, which outlines the company’s 2019 progress on its corporate responsibility strategic pillars: focus on people, operate sustainably and strengthen communities. The report also introduces several new goals and provides an update on the company’s recent response to COVID-19 and social equality issues.

New goals include a commitment to produce and procure energy from 335 megawatts of renewable and alternative energy projects by 2025 – equivalent to the amount of energy it takes to power more than 90,000 homes. Additionally, the company pledged to eliminate expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film from its private brand packaging by 2023.

As part of its existing pledge to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 50 percent by 2035, The Home Depot reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent in 2019, driven primarily by energy reductions and supply chain efficiencies. The company reduced its electricity consumption in U.S. stores by 383 million kilowatt hours, tripling its 2018 reduction while at the same time adding three new U.S. stores to its footprint.

“We believe our commitment to continuing progress on environmental, social and governance issues has made our company stronger, had a lasting positive impact on the environment, deepened our relationships with associates and customers, and created long-term shareholder value,” said Craig Menear, chairman, CEO and president of The Home Depot. “I want to thank our associates and suppliers for the significant progress we made last year and look forward to making meaningful progress in the future.”

The Home Depot’s Corporate Responsibility strategy is centered on three key pillars: focusing on people, operating sustainably, strengthening communities.

Read the full report and infographics here.