Corporate Responsibility

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores on Monday released its "2011 Global Responsibility Report." According to the report, the chain has made steady year-to-year improvement towards its goals of creating zero waste, using 100% renewable energy and selling products that sustain people and the environment.

PITTSBURGH -- KidsVoice, an organization which advocates for abused, neglected and at-risk children, announced that American Eagle Outfitters will be the presenting sponsor for its events during Child Abuse Prevention Month, which include Kitetails & Cocktails on April 28 and Kites for Kids on April 30. Both events will take place at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.

One creative child will win a $5,000 scholarship!

LOS ANGELES — Two Kroger banners have raised funds to benefit Japan earthquake and tsunami victims.

Ralphs and Food 4 Less said they raised more than $100,000 for the American Red Cross' International Response Fund for its Japan relief efforts. The retailers hosted a fundraising campaign that ran from March 21 through April 9.

LAKELAND, Fla. -- In recognition of Earth Day, Publix Super Markets announced that it will donate 50 cents per lb., (up to $40,000), to Sustainable Fisheries Partnership when customers purchase any wild domestic shrimp between April 17 to 27.

According to the company, the Publix donation would assist SFP in providing fisheries along the Gulf with the resources and tools needed to operate in a more sustainable manner.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- eBay announced that its is now offering limited-time pricing for broken or damaged iPods, iPhones and iPads through its Instant Sale program. Additionally, eBay said it will offer every user that sends in their device -- broken or not -- a bonus $5 eBay gift card and a matching $5 donation to Global Green USA.

Through April 30, eBay Instant Sale will begin paying up to $150 for broken iPads, $100 for iPhones, and $50 for iPods. 

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Lowe’s announced that it is celebrating Earth Day by giving away trees. On April 23, Lowe’s, in partnership with American Forests, will give away one million tree saplings to customers during in-store Earth Day celebrations nationwide. When planted, these one million trees will eventually produce more than 260,000,000 pounds of oxygen annually, providing air for more than 670,000 people for one year, according to the company.

Greenpeace has published its fifth annual “Carting Away the Oceans” report examining the retail industry’s seafood practices, and none of the 20 companies featured are where the environmental group thinks they should be in terms of sustainability and responsible harvesting practices.

Target began its in-store recycling program just nine months ago, and some of the early numbers from the program are staggering. Between April 2010, when the program was launched, and December 2010, the company collected and recycled more than 170 million shopping bags and more than 1.4 million pounds of cans and bottles. In addition, the company said it collected roughly two million units of small electronic items such as MP3 players and cell phones.

The Equal Opportunity Employment Commission announced that Sam’s Club would pay a $440,000 fine to settle a harassment lawsuit involving Hispanics at a club in Fresno, Calif.

CARLISLE, Pa. — A health-and-wellness conference that brings together retail dietitians and nutritionists has tapped Ahold USA and its Giant Carlisle division as the event's retail host.

Field Trip Factory's third annual Dietitian Summit, which strives to generate awareness about the food industry's commitment to consumer health, will be held next month at a Giant Super Food store in Willow Grove, Pa. About 40 retail dietitians and nutritionists are expected to attend the three-day conference.