Target’s Putting Sustainability Goals into Action During Earth Month 2023 — and Beyond
Target | April 17, 2023
During Earth month and year-round, sustainability touches Target's entire business. It shows up in how they source and design products, invest in their team and communities, develop partnerships in the supply chain and power their stores. It all matters, and it’s all woven into the enterprise-wide sustainability strategy, Target Forward.
“Our guests appreciate our extensive assortment of sustainable, affordable and inclusive products that they see every day,” says Amanda Nusz, senior vice president of corporate responsibility for Target and president of the Target Foundation. “And I’m especially energized by the increasing number of ways they are seeing our sustainability commitments come to life throughout our business — from sustainable stores and supply chain facilities powered by renewable energy to our efforts to design new reusable bag models.”
Target teams play a critical role in the way they champion a sustainable world. Take a look at some of the areas where their working to make a difference.
Creating zero-waste solutions for their products
During Earth month and year-round, sustainability touches Target's entire business. It shows up in how they source and design products, invest in their team and communities, develop partnerships in the supply chain and power Target stores. It all matters, and it’s all woven into the enterprise-wide sustainability strategy, Target Forward.
“Our guests appreciate our extensive assortment of sustainable, affordable and inclusive products that they see every day,” says Amanda Nusz, senior vice president of corporate responsibility for Target and president of the Target Foundation. “And I’m especially energized by the increasing number of ways they are seeing our sustainability commitments come to life throughout our business — from sustainable stores and supply chain facilities powered by renewable energy to our efforts to design new reusable bag models.”
Creating zero-waste solutions for their products
Target’s supply chain facility in Mililani, Hawaii, has completed a rigorous two-year journey to become Target’s first TRUE Zero Waste certified supply chain facility. To be certified as zero waste, the facility must divert over 90% of its operational waste from landfills by reusing, reducing, recycling and donating. The center earned this certification well before Target’s enterprise strategy goal to achieve zero waste by 2030 — largely due to the passion, creativity and commitment of the team. Target will continue to expand TRUE certification in select locations.
Empowering energy goals
Minimizing their energy use and investing in projects around the country that produce electricity through renewable sources — like sun and wind — are just two powerful ways they are reducing their footprint, as they commit to sourcing 100% of Target’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030. This goal applies to Target stores, supply chain facilities and offices across the U.S. One way their doing this is through their long-term agreement with Plenitude, Eni’s Benefit Corporation (Società Benefit) to purchase green electricity from the Golden Buckle Solar Project, which recently began operating in Brazoria County, Texas. Their 160-megawatt portion of the project is expected to generate the equivalent electricity required to power more than 53,000 homes* each year.
In 2022 they introduced larger-format stores with built-in updates that advance their sustainability goals. With features like larger windows for more natural light, locally sourced reclaimed wood, native outdoor landscaping and local products sold in-store, the reimagined format gives guests a shopping experience that reflects their community.
And, for the eighth year in a row, they’ve been named an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year. The award recognizes businesses helping transition to a clean energy economy. Big strides for Target in 2022 included installing LED lighting both inside and outside hundreds of Target stores and upgrading to more efficient rooftop HVAC units.
Partnering for greater impact
Outside-the-box thinking and partnering with other like-minded companies is also making a sustainability impact beyond our own operations.
Take their partnership with the Consortium to Reinvent the Retail Bag. As a founding partner alongside other industry leaders, they have a goal to create sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic bags. This spring they’re testing new Bring Your Own Bag and Borrow a Bag initiatives in different markets, building on other pilot programs implemented last year.