Letter from Casey: Energy Drives RSI 

In the last issue, we announced that participation in RILA's  Retail Sustainability Initiative (RSI) is now open to all retail member companies as part of their membership dues. We also welcome executives from product manufacturer member companies to participate with retailers on this important issue. In addition, we have aligned the RSI structure to follow our other disciplines and have added four new committees. A Sustainability Leaders Council will meet to network, address operational challenges within the sustainability and environmental compliance area, as well as discuss opportunities and provide strategic direction for RILA's work in this area. The four new committees will focus on: energy & greenhouse gas; environmental compliance; product stewardship; and waste & recycling. On February 10, executives from a variety of retailers, in addition to some product manufacturers, will meet in our offices to lay out tangible goals and objectives for each committee, as well as to continue the current projects underway. There's still room for more, so please contact Sarah Walczewski at sarah.walczewski@rila.org if you are interested in participating. 

As a testament to RILA's continued commitment to sustainability, RILA President Sandy Kennedy has volunteered to personally drive the RSI effort as RILA seeks to hire a vice president of sustainability and retail operations. If there is someone within your your personal and professional networks who may be a right for this position, please feel free to forward out the position specification. 

In the last two months, RILA has welcomed several new members, including CVS Caremark Corporation, Foot Locker and Staples to our already impressive list of member companies. We are excited that our membership continues to grow and add terrific leading retailers to our councils and committees. Even in tough economic times, top retail companies see the value RILA provides through public advocacy, networking, activities and events, and committees like those in the Retail Sustainability Initiative.

In this issue of RILA Report: Sustainability, we feature Susan Ghertner, director of environmental affairs at H-E-B, provide Walmart exec Rand Waddoups' vision of the Sustainability Index, share PetSmart's story about a design competition for doghouses, and cover a range of domestic legislative and regulatory proposals that may impact retailers in 2010. Enjoy!