Gap Inc. highlights progress in responsibility report

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc. announced that it has released its fifth social and environmental responsibility report, a comprehensive update on its supply chain operations, environmental programs and community investment efforts from 2009 to 2010.

"Gap Inc. takes seriously the importance of being a responsible company," Gap Inc. chairman and CEO Glenn Murphy said. “For nearly 20 years, we’ve worked to address some of the major challenges facing our industry and to operate our business in line with our value to do what’s right. While we’re not perfect, we’re proud of the progress made.”

Accomplishments detailed in the 160-page, bi-annual report:

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  Introduction of a human rights policy that strengthens the company's existing global codes of vendor and business conduct to help ensure that the more than one million workers in over 1,200 factories that manufacture the company'sbranded products are treated fairly and with respect.

  
  


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  Employees at the company’s Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy stores doubled their volunteer efforts in 2010 over the previous year, contributing to the company’s more than 428,000 hours of volunteer time, bringing total donations of time and money to more than $16 million.

  
  


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  More space efficient containers and redesigned packaging eliminated 57,000 tons of cardboard and 63 million yards of plastic bands per year from its U.S. operations, for a cost savings of approximately $20 million a year.

  
  


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  Reduced electricity consumption in its distribution centers by 40% by replacing more than 16,000 light bulbs with more energy efficient lights.

  
  

“From our factory auditing approach to environmental efforts, we hope that this online report is an informative and transparent view into our evolving work,” said Kindley Walsh Lawlor, VP social and environmental responsibility for Gap Inc. “We continually challenge ourselves to define what being a responsible company means, and to translate our definition into action.”

Visit www.gapinc.com/socialresponsibility to view the full report.