Target sets sustainability goals to pursue Energy Star for buildings

Minneapolis -- Target on Wednesday outlined a series of comprehensive sustainability commitments. The retailer set several key milestones for resource use, waste elimination and carbon footprint reduction, which the company aims to achieve by 2016, including earning the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star designation for at least 75% of its buildings.



Target’s other 2016 goals are:

• Reduce the percentage of operating waste sent to landfills by 15%;


• Reduce water usage by 10% per square foot;


• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10% per square foot and 20% per dollar of retail sales; and


• Improve the efficiency of general merchandise transportation inbound to distribution centers by 15% and outbound by 20% and support the adoption of cleaner and more fuel-efficient transportation practices.

"These goals demonstrate Target's commitment to superior energy efficiency, and most importantly, to continuous improvement in facility operations to reduce its carbon footprint," said Alyssa Quarforth, national program manager for commercial property markets, Energy Star. "Target's portfolio-wide approach to tracking energy performance exemplifies how benchmarking can drive improved energy efficiency and carbon reductions."



Target has been incorporating environmental sustainability into its business strategy for some time, installing rooftop solar systems, converting to energy-efficient light fixtures and adopting other initiatives that have earned the retailer Energy Star-certification in more than 100 stores to date.



For more on Target's sustainability efforts, go to hereforgood.target.com/environment.