Sustainability

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group announced Wednesday that Las Vegas Outlet Center will open a major expansion on March 17, adding 13 new stores and approximately 70,000 sq. ft. of GLA, and bringing the center to more than 140 stores for a total of 535,000 sq. ft.

With this expansion, the center is being renamed Las Vegas Premium Outlets - South. The center was also recently renovated, receiving a complete external makeover with significant interior improvements as well.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. said Wednesday it has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for 2011.

The Ethisphere Institute, an international business ethics organization, honored Target for implementing upright business practices and initiatives that are instrumental to the company’s success, benefit the community, and raise the bar for ethical standards within the industry.

This is the fifth consecutive year that Target has received the award.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Sears Holdings announced that it has been named the 2011 Energy Star Partner of the Year (Product Retailer Category) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This is the second year running that Sears Holdings has been awarded this honor for empowering its customers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and through its numerous initiatives focusing on educating customers about energy-efficient products.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. said Tuesday it was named 2011 Energy Star partner of the year in the product retailer category by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The award is Sears’ second consecutive.

"This award is a reflection of the significant commitment our entire organization has made to promote energy efficiency and help our customers make changes that allow them to save money," said Lou D'Ambrosio, CEO and president of Sears Holdings.

NEW YORK — Seventh Generation has developed an ultra-concentrated liquid laundry detergent that is available in a 100% compostable bottle.

The company said the entire packaging system (fiber bottle, pouch, spout, cap) for its Natural 4x laundry detergent uses 66% less plastic than a typical 100-oz. 2x laundry bottle. Seventh Generation's Natural 4x laundry detergent, a nontoxic, biodegradable formula, is available in a 50-oz. (66 loads) size and two scents: Free and Clear, and Geranium Blossoms and Vanilla.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- Whirlpool announced that it was awarded  the 2011 Energy Star Sustained Excellence award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The award recognizes the company's leadership in offering consumers energy and water efficiency through its leading home appliance brands, Whirlpool reported. According to the company, Whirlpool was the only appliance manufacturer to receive the Sustained Excellence award, the highest possible Energy Star award. This is the company's 12th top Energy Star award and sixth consecutive Sustained Excellence win.

Moorseville, N.C. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named Lowe’s winner of the Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award in Retail for the second consecutive year. The 2011 award recognizes Lowe’s long-standing leadership as a retailer of energy-efficient products and will be presented to the company at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on April 12.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- The Walmart Foundation announced that is committing more than $2.5 million in grants to various projects aimed at improving the lives of women in Latin America. 

"We believe that when women achieve economic empowerment, their voices are also empowered," said Eduardo Solorzano, president and CEO of Walmart Latinoamerica. "So not only will they be able to create more stable futures for their families, they will play transformational roles in bettering the lives of women and children across Latin America."

Shareholders of Wal-Mart de Mexico elected three new female board members at the company’s annual meeting yesterday, bringing to six the number of women on the company’s eleven-member board.

The new members include Shelley Broader, chief merchandising officer of Walmart Canada, Olga Gonzalez, Walmart’s VP audit services for Latin America and Kristin Oliver, SVP people for the Walmart International division. Other women on the board include Cathy Smith, Blanca Trevino and Kristin Oliver.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Robert Eckert, chairman and CEO of Mattel, will be presented the community leader award at the Exceptional Children’s Foundation's 65th Anniversary Gala. The recognition acknowledges Eckert’s leadership and ongoing commitment to shaping the development of generations of children, inspiring creativity and innovation and for demonstrating what's possible through a world of play, Mattel reported.