Sustainability

Gap Inc., Ebay, Safeway, Wegmans, Whole Foods, Costco, Target, Best Buy and OfficeMax were all named to Ethisphere Institute’s World’s Most Ethical Companies list.

The companies were chosen based on an evaluation of a questionnaire provided by Ethisphere to determine each company’s Ethics Quotient (EQ).

Companies were evaluated for their own ethics policies and enforcement of such policies, ethical track record and reputation in the market place, corporate governance, corporate responsibilities and culture of ethics.

MELVILLE, N.Y. — The Hain Celestial Group has confirmed its support of increased transparency in the labeling of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs).  

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot has been recognized with a Climate Leadership Goal Achievement Award for Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Center for Corporate Climate Leadership, the Association of Climate Change Officers the Center for Climate & Energy Solutions, and The Climate Registry.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — The EPA's Center for Corporate Climate Leadership recognized Office Depot with a Climate Leadership Goal Achievement Award for Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management. The award was also presented by the Association of Climate Change Officers the Center for Climate & Energy Solutions, and The Climate Registry.

Rockville, Md. -- Mom's Organic Market announced the activation of rooftop solar panels on its store in Waldorf, Md. The store, opened in November 2012, features energy-efficient design, including closed-door coolers, LED lighting and electric car charging stations. The photovoltaic system, installed by SolarCity, is expected to offset the store's energy needs by at least 15%.

NEW YORK — Walmart's EVP corporate affairs, Leslie Dach, is stepping down in June. 

"Leslie has played a pivotal role in helping us understand the broader role Walmart can play in meeting the major challenges facing society today, and social goals are now an integral part of how we run our business," Wal-Mart chief executive Mike Duke in the memo.

New York -- Leslie Dach, EVP corporate affairs for Wal-Mart Stores, will step down in June. The retailer, which announced the news in a memo to employees, said it is actively searching for a replacement. The news was first reported by Politico.

"Leslie has played a pivotal role in helping us understand the broader role Walmart can play in meeting the major challenges facing society today, and social goals are now an integral part of how we run our business," Wal-Mart chief executive Mike Duke in the memo.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens announced plans to build what the company believes will be the nation’s first net-zero energy retail store. The store, which is predicted to produce energy equal to or greater than it consumes, will be located in Evanston, Ill., at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Keeney Street, where demolition of an existing Walgreens store now is under way.