Earth Day Spotlight on Retail Sustainability Efforts

IKEA

April is here, which means it's time to celebrate Earth Month! Sustainability is a part of who we are at IKEA. Our ambition is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the IKEA value chain by at least half by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050. We're also committed to offering sustainable products for customers and leading by example to positively impact the environment in the communities we serve.

During Earth Month, and throughout the year, our stores and distribution centers celebrate their local efforts to reduce their climate footprint. This year, from Tempe, Arizona to Woodbridge, Virginia, our locations are offering sustainable living customer workshops, tours of our rooftop solar facilities, hosting electric vehicle shows, and much more. As a national campaign, we're also partnering with the American Red Cross to donate up to 50,000 to help people affected by natural disasters.

Macy's

In celebration and recognition of Earth Day, Macy's Inc., through the company's social purpose platform, Mission Every One, has partnered with Planet Water Foundation to provide some of the world's most impoverished communities in Asia and Latin America with access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene education to help transform the health and well-being of children.

Macy's, Inc. has a heritage of corporate citizenship - bringing communities together and giving back by donating funds, volunteering time and raising awareness for worthwhile causes. As part of Mission Every One, Macy's will continue to be a beacon of civic leadership by leading a series or projects focused on a variety of key factors, including bringing water and hygiene education to rural and peri-urban communities, schools with a concentration of elementary-aged children, areas of underserved with safe water access, in addition to responding areas recently impacted by natural disaster.

To learn more about this partnership and Mission Every One, visit macys.com/purpose

Party City 

In a pioneering move, Party City steps forward as an industry leader with a groundbreaking approach to balloon waste management. Recognizing the pressing need for sustainable solutions, Party City launched a comprehensive recycling program aimed at repurposing balloon waste. Their innovative strategy includes short-term initiatives like repurposing balloon waste as a US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) -approved "waste-to-energy" fuel, coupled with a long-term vision to re-engineer balloons for a more circular solution. By engaging in consumer education, implementing collection and recapture systems, and collaborating with experts, Party City sets out to revolutionize the balloon industry's approach to waste management.

Petco

Petco is working with the Pet Sustainability Coalition and CO2Hero to provide the entire Petco team of 29,000 partners an opportunity to participate in a friendly Earth Month competition. The Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC) is a non-profit dedicated to transforming the pet industry through sustainable change.

The goal of this initiative is to allow and encourage partners to track their sustainable habits and reduce their overall carbon dioxide emissions. Throughout the month of April, partners will continue to accure their emission reduction totals and top participants will win prizes. Learn more here.

Staples

Staples is leading the recycling charge with unexpected recycling solutions to pave the way for a greener future. With over 165 million pounds of technology already recycled since the program began in 2012, Staples strives to develop innovative experiences that are better for our world. Staples' commitment to expand recycling offerings means it's accepting items you never thought possible - from coffee brewers and crayons to gaming systems and more. Here are 10 unexpected items you can recycle at Staples today:

• Batteries - including single-use alkaline, power banks and power-tool batteries 
• Crayons and Markers 
• SodaStream CO2 canisters 
• Printers
• Computers
• Coffer brewers
• Phones - including phone and tablet cases 
• Gaming systems 
• Luggage and Backpacks*
• LEGO bricks*

• Recycle in-store between 4/7-5/4 to receive 1,000 Easy Reward points and a coupon for $10 off your $30 in-store purchase.
• In celebration of Earth Day (April 22), recycle in-store between 4/21-4/27 to receive 2,000 Easy Rewards points.

Target

For example, Target is springing toward its goal of designing all owned brand products for a circular future by 2040 with Universal Thread and Everspring. Both brands are slated to hit the milestone in 2025. Target is already making progress with the launch of two Universal Thread products made with yarn blended with fibers collected from used garments and manufacturing scraps. Learnings from the shrunken crewneck T-shirt and cami, developed in partnership with the nonprofit Accelerating Circularity, are helping scale up the company's efforts. 

Take a look at some of the newest ways Target is making a positive impact for people, the planet, and its business. 
 

Wayfair

RILA will continue to update this page to reflect the latest Earth Day news from the industry. If you are a RILA member who would like your company's news featured here, please reach out to Caroline Niery.

Tags

• Climate and Sustainability
• Ensuring a Safe, Sustainable Future
• Retail Works for All of Us
• Sustainability & Environment