Best Buy to slash customer emissions by 20% as part of science-based targets

Best Buy will place a greater focus on the energy efficiency of its products through the ENERGY STAR programme. Image: Best Buy

Announced last week and included in its latest Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report, the goals have been certified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTI).

Best Buy will aim to reach the 75% reduction by investing in LED lighting, hybrid vehicles, onsite solar generation and Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). Automated technology in distribution centres will help reduce waste generated while custom boxes and envelopes will be used that produce 40% less cardboard waste and eliminate plastic fillers.

For customer emissions, Best Buy will place a greater focus on the energy efficiency of its products through the ENERGY STAR programme led by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

“Best Buy exists to help people enrich their lives through technology, which certainly embraces eco-friendly options that benefit our customers and planet,” Best Buy’s director of environmental sustainability and compliance Alexis Ludwig-Vogen said.

“We believe a combination of eco-friendly products and services, along with continued improvements in our own operations, can produce measurable results for everyone.”

Target re-setting

Best Buy has been prioritising carbon reduction for some time. In 2018, the company announced a goal to reduce emissions by 60% by 2020 compared to 2009 and reach carbon neutrality in its operations by 2050. But after reaching a 51% reduction, the company re-set its carbon goal through the SBTi.

As outlined in the annual sustainability report, Best Buy will continue to focus on the recyclability of its products. Since 2009, Best Buy had collected more than two billion pounds of electronics and appliances for recycling.

“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,” Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), senior vice president Eric Olson said.

Matt Mace