I know you're probably getting tired of hearing it but GREEN is growing! While it annoys quite a few folks, I for one am thrilled! I love hearing about more and more businesses and homes turning over a new leaf and doing things a little more environmentally friendly. If there has every been a passion of mine, it's been conservation. If I wasn't forecasting the weather I would likely have been involved in this so-called "green movement" long ago professionally. Of course, I do consider myself part of the movement since I try and practice to be environmentally responsible.
The reason I've always thought "green" is the way to go is because it is a win, win situation. Not only do you cut down on waste and help the environment but you also cut down on CO$T$! Who doesn't love that, especially right now? We've been so wasteful for so long, a change in the way we consume is long overdue and maybe that can be one good thing out of this economic mess we're in right now.
Anyway, the reason I talk about this today is an email I got from the Kohl's Corporation as they promote their new initiatives for the upcoming Earth Day. There's some pretty interesting info in this so just check it out. I'm not promoting Kohl's by any means I just thought it was kind of neat.
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Kohl’s Green Scene: Highlights
- Solar Power: Kohl’s is the largest retail host of solar power in the world.
Nearly 70 of our stores generate energy from solar panels on their rooftops, and we’re pursuing more than 100 projects in six states – California, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland and Oregon. At these locations, 20-50 percent of the store’s energy comes from solar power. As energy costs have been volatile, our solar program provides an important hedge against escalating energy costs.
- Green Power Purchases: In 2008, Kohl’s met its goal of purchasing 20 percent renewable energy.
Kohl’s currently ranks second in retail and number eight among fortune 500 companies on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) list of green power purchasers.
- ENERGY STAR: To date, more than 200 Kohl’s stores nationwide have earned the EPA’s ENERGY STAR label for superior energy efficiency. In July 2008, 50 stores earned the label, marking the largest group of retail buildings to earn the label in ENERGY STAR history and Kohl’s first grouping of stores to earn the label.
These buildings rate in the top 25 percent of facilities in the nation for energy efficiency, use an average of 35 percent less energy than typical similar buildings and generate one-third less carbon dioxide.
Features of Kohl’s ENERGY STAR stores include centralized energy management control systems, occupancy sensor lighting for stockrooms, break rooms and offices, high-efficiency lighting and high-efficiency heating and cooling systems.
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED): Kohl’s has committed to building new ground-up stores from fall 2008 and beyond to a pre-certified LEED silver standard. This includes 45 stores that opened in fall 2008 and 18 stores opening in spring 2009.
In January 2008, Kohl’s opened a state-of-the art green photo studio in Milwaukee, which is currently pursuing LEED certification at the Gold level.
Among other characteristics, LEED-certified buildings feature on-site recycling, regionally sourced building materials and water-efficient landscaping. They also help conserve natural resources, minimize the strain on local resources and reduce operating costs.
- Transportation: Kohl’s has been a member of the EPA’s SmartWaySM Transport Partnership since 2007 and now requires its carriers to be SmartWay participants.
In 2007, Kohl's executed 18,794 backhaul trips to our Distribution Centers from our vendors on the return trips to the stores. This eliminated 3,608,448 empty miles. These once-empty trailers now carry merchandise from our vendors ultimately reducing the number of inbound transportation trips overall.
More than 40 percent of Kohl’s inbound transportation moves on rail. This type of freight movement is three times cleaner than over-the-road trucks, uses less fuel and causes fewer emissions than truck service.
In 2008, Kohl’s was awarded the SmartWay Shipper Excellence Award from the EPA.
- Climate Leaders: Kohl’s has been a member of the EPA’s Climate Leaders since 2007.
Measurement of Kohl's carbon footprint was completed in 2008 by looking at energy use and transportation miles. Kohl's reported 780,282 metric tons of carbon equivalents using the EPA's guidelines for measurement. In addition, 358,692 metric tons of carbon equivalent were emitted as a result of Kohl's inbound and advertising transportation activities.
- Partnerships: Kohl’s is an active member in some of the nation’s foremost environmental programs and partnerships including:
- Business for Social Responsibility
- EPA Green Power Partnership
- EPA WasteWise
- EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership
- EPA ENERGY STAR
- EPA Climate Leaders
- Retailer Energy Alliance
- United States Green Building Council
- Wisconsin Partners for Clean Air
Courtesy of Kohl's Corporation
Rob Hatchell | Chief Meteorologist | rhatchell@wmbfnews.com
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