Home Depot’s Sustainable Efforts Reduce Energy Consumption in U.S. and Canadian Stores

Touted as the world’s largest home improvement center, Home Depot (NYSE: HD) recently announced it has dramtically reduced its energy use in stores across the United States and Canada.

In 2004, energy use for U.S. Home Depot stores was approximately 25 kWh per square foot. Today, energy use stands at 21 kWh per square foot,  a 16 percent reduction.

Since 2004, energy consumption in U.S. stores was reduced by 2.6 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), enough energy to power 203,000 homes for an entire year. Home Depot’s goal is to reach a 20 percent reduction in kWh per square foot in U.S. locations by 2015.

The company also plans to reduce its domestic supply chain greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 20 percent by 2015.

According to a recent press release, Home Depot has also reduced it energy use in Canadian stores by 220 million kWh, enough energy to power about 12,500 homes for one year.  In 2005, energy usage in Canadian stores was 25 kWh per square foot compared with today’s energy use at 21.1 kWh per square foot, a 17 percent reduction. The use of CFL bulbs, HVAC system upgrades, T5 lighting and by aligning stocking hours within operating hours, have helped reduce energy consumption in U.S. and Canadian locations.

Home Depot is “calculating its comprehensive carbon footprint based on the World Resources Institute and World Business Council for Sustainable Development protocol” which is the standard for business leaders to manage and quantify greenhouse gas emissions. The results will be available in one year.

Home Depot, committed to conducting business in an environmentally friendly manner, has launched numerous green initiatives:

• The company launched its consumer education program, Eco Options, in 2007. Consumers are able to identity products that meet specific criteria that have less of an impact on the environment than other products while empowering customers to make a difference in their own homes. Approximately 4,000 products currently meet the criteria in the following categories: Sustainable Forestry, Energy Efficient, Healthy Home, Clean Air and Water Conservation. A new line of household cleaning products, herbicides and pesticides will be added this year. The Eco Options' logo is added to the products that meet the criteria.
• Home Depot began its free in-store CFL recycling program in all U.S. stores in 2008.
• The Green Teams' program was launched in 2008. The Green Teams, comprised of three members from each store, update the Home Depot staff and customers about the Eco Options' program and eco-friendly initiatives.
• The Home Depot recycling program has the potential to divert 95 million pounds of trash from landfills each year by recycling cardboard, mixed papers and plastics. And every month, each store can potentially save 13 trees, 2.5 barrels of oil, 4,100 kWh of electricity and 7, 925 gallons of water.
• In 2006, Home Depot entered into an agreement with The Conservation Fund to offset its carbon emissions created by the Atlanta headquarters and a portion of emissions created by Home Depot employees commuting to work and business travel. 38,000 trees will be planted in protected parks in Atlanta as part of The Conservation Fund’s Go Zero program.
• To see if your water or energy conserving purchase may qualify for a rebate, visit the Rebate Finder on the Home Depot website.