Sustainability

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group announced that, in partnership with Shinsegae, it has opened Paju Premium Outlets, its second Premium Outlet Center in South Korea.

The 328,000-sq.-ft. center houses 160 stores, including international and domestic brands. Strategically located in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, the center is approximately 50 minutes northwest of downtown Seoul.

MINNEAPOLIS -- After all the flak it got for its political contributions -- even losing a deal with Lady Gaga over it -- Target this year was still recognized as one of the world's most ethical companies.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot announced Wednesday that it has joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s list of Energy Star Leaders for reducing its energy consumption by 27.5% across its building portfolio.

Energy Star Leaders is a group of organizations that have improved energy efficiency across all of the facilities in a portfolio.

According to Office Depot, it is the first non-supermarket retailer to be recognized for realizing a greater than 20% reduction.

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 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.

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.

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.