MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After reducing its carbon emissions more than 50 percent, Best Buy is committing to achieve an even greater impact. For the first time, the company has set a goal to help consumers reduce their carbon emissions by 20 percent* and save $5 billion on utility costs by 2030, while it works to decrease its own emissions 75 percent** over the same period.
The new goals were announced today by Best Buy at the Circularity19 conference in Minneapolis and are included in its latest Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report.
“Best Buy exists to help people enrich their lives through technology, which certainly embraces ecofriendly options that benefit our customers and planet,” said Best Buy Director of Environmental Sustainability & Compliance Alexis Ludwig-Vogen. “We believe a combination of eco-friendly products and services, along with continued improvements in our own operations, can produce measurable results for everyone.”
Best Buy will help consumers reduce emissions by 20 percent and save $5 billion on utility costs by 2030 by putting greater emphasis on ENERGY STAR electronics, appliances and other energy-saving devices. The company was named a 2019 ENERGY STAR Retail Partner of the Year for the sixth consecutive year because of its efforts to help people save energy and money, and for its continued consumer education about these products.
“We’re impressed by the fact that Best Buy is looking well beyond its own direct impact by committing to help customers reduce their household carbon emissions, while helping to bring the world’s biggest electronics and appliance buyers, manufacturers and utilities together to solve this issue,” said Eric Olson, senior vice president at Business for Social Responsibility (BSR).
In its own operations, Best Buy will reduce carbon emissions 75 percent through efficiencies from renewable energy sources, LED lighting and a hybrid vehicle fleet, as well as investments in on-site solar panels, solar farms and Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). Automated technology in its distribution centers will further improve efficiency and reduce the amount of waste generated by shipping products to customers. New machines create custom boxes and shipping envelopes that fit the products being shipped, producing 40% less cardboard waste and eliminating plastic fillers.
As it helps consumers be environmentally responsible, Best Buy remains the nation’s largest collector of recyclable electronics and appliances. Since 2009, Best Buy has collected more than 2 billion pounds of electronics and appliances for recycling.
Best Buy’s new consumer and company targets are certified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a collaboration between Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
To learn more about Best Buy’s commitment to its people, communities and the environment, visit corporate.bestbuy.com and follow @BestBuyCSR.
*From a 2017 base year
**From a 2009 base year
