Ace chalks up energy savings to its supply chain

Ace Hardware is celebrating the milestones it has reached within its supply chain in the aim of reducing its carbon footprint this Earth Day.

Specifically, two Ace Hardware Retail Support facilities are being recognized for their participation in zero landfill initiatives, which see to it that a product is reused instead of being sent to a landfill or incinerator. The Ace Hardware Import Redestribution Center in Suffolk, Va. has been enjoying zero landfill status for over a year, and the counterpart facility in Kent, Wash. is 95% of the way there.

“At Ace, our goal is to be environmental stewards, especially in the communities in which our facilities are located,” said Tim Duvall, supply chain director, Ace Hardware Corporation. “We are proud to say that the efforts that our teams execute locally have a far greater global benefit. In 2013 alone, across our entire Retail Support Network, Ace recycled more than 38,000,000 lbs. or 19,000 tons of pallets, plastic and corrugate.”

Additionally, many Ace Retail Support Centers have switched to LED lighting, which has added up to thousands of dollars of cost savings and millions of kilowatts in energy reductions. Some of the newer Retail Support Centers will use energy-efficient, motion detection lighting and power equipment that will run on hydrogen fuel cell technology.

In terms of transport, its vehicle fleet has been certified as part of the EPA's SmartWay program. Ace also only contracts with approved SmartWay carriers for its freight operations.