PETCO Becomes First Pet Specialty Retailer to Earn EPA's ENERGY STAR Leader Recognition

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized PETCO, a leading pet specialty retailer with more than 1,000 stores nationwide, as an ENERGY STAR Leader for reducing energy consumption by more than 10 percent across its building portfolio.  The company's efforts have prevented more than 30,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from entering the atmosphere.

"At PETCO, we're committed to making a better world for people and pets, which includes reducing our environmental impact across our business," said Jim Myers, PETCO's CEO.  "Energy efficiency is an integral part of that commitment and our broader approach to driving more sustainable business practices across our company.  We're proud to join the EPA's list of ENERGY STAR leaders and of the important accomplishments that earned this recognition."

ENERGY STAR Leaders are named for reducing energy consumption by at least 10 percent across a portfolio of buildings, based on EPA's standardized tools for tracking energy use.  PETCO has been an ENERGY STAR partner for several years, but became much more active in using the program's data management tools in 2009, further improving energy efficiency.

"With ENERGY STAR's Portfolio Manager tool, we were able to see the efficiency scores of every PETCO store, distribution center and office building," said Kristin Rock, PETCO's Energy Manager and a leader on the company's Sustainability Team.  "The tool provided valuable insight into our most and least efficient locations so we could target and prioritize our energy reduction efforts."

Significant investments in energy management controls, efficient lighting and HVAC systems, and ENERGY STAR appliances lowered PETCO's total energy use from 2007 through 2009, even as the company added 114 stores during that time.

The ENERGY STAR program has also been incorporated into PETCO's culture with an awareness campaign that includes a quarterly conservation challenge in which stores compete to achieve the highest ENERGY STAR score, earn recognition and share best practices.

The company's commitment to sustainability also includes Planet PETCO™, a growing line of earth-conscious products that help pet parents make sustainable choices for their pets and give back to our planet.

To learn more about ENERGY STAR Leaders, visit www.energystar.gov/leaders.  To learn more about PETCO or find a store near you, visit http://www.petco.com.

About PETCO

PETCO is a privately held specialty retailer that provides products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents.  We operate more than 1,000 stores in 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a leading pet products and information destination at www.petco.com.  Our nonprofit organization, The PETCO Foundation, has raised nearly $70 million since its inception in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals.  In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support approximately 7,000 local animal welfare groups across the country to help find homes for more than 200,000 adoptable animals every year.

SOURCE PETCO