Target Outlines Commitment to Environmental Sustainability

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Target today announced its comprehensive company-wide sustainability commitments, designed to guide the company's ongoing efforts toward environmental sustainability. Target also set several key milestones which the company aims to achieve over the next five years.

"Target has long invested in the health and sustainability of our communities by integrating rigorous programs throughout our business that reduce our environmental impact," said Gregg Steinhafel, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Target. "We believe the commitments announced today will guide our ongoing efforts to further engage Target suppliers, team members and guests in our sustainability initiatives."  

Target's commitments to environmental sustainability, along with more on Target's sustainability efforts, are available at hereforgood.target.com/environment. The commitments outline plans to:

• Empower guests and team members to easily lead a more sustainable lifestyle by providing the right information, tools, and incentives;
• Expand Target's selection of sustainable product choices that effectively balance price, performance, and convenience;
• Be a retail leader in smart development by creating buildings that use space more efficiently, are located in areas convenient to guests and team members, and enhance local communities;
• Achieve milestones in its business by using resources responsibly, eliminating waste, and minimizing its carbon footprint.

Specifically, by 2016, Target aims to achieve the following milestones for resource use, waste elimination and carbon footprint reduction:

• Reduce the percentage of operating waste sent to landfills by 15 percent;
• Reduce water usage by 10 percent per square foot;
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent per square foot and 20 percent per dollar of retail sales;
• Earn the ENERGY STAR® label from the Environmental Protection Agency for at least 75 percent of its buildings;
• Improve the efficiency of general merchandise transportation inbound to distribution centers by 15 percent and outbound by 20 percent 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 incorporated environmental sustainability into its business strategy for more than three decades, 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. Watch Tony Heredia, vice president of corporate risk and responsibility, Target, discussing Target's environmental sustainability commitments.

In addition, to help guests and team members live a more sustainable lifestyle, Target offers eco-friendly products and packaging choices, has removed all farmed salmon from its assortment, offers a five-cent discount for each reusable bag used during a purchase transaction, and earlier this year introduced a comprehensive guest-facing recycling program in all Target stores.  

About Target

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at 1,752 stores in 49 states nationwide and at Target.com. Target is committed to providing a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to unique and highly differentiated products at affordable prices. Since 1946, the corporation has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs, like Take Charge of Education. Today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week. For more information about Target's commitment to corporate responsibility, visit Target.com/hereforgood.

For more information, visit Target.com/Pressroom.

Note: Target welcomes the media to its stores. To contact your local store about shooting b-roll or photos, please visit "Find a Store" at Target.com and contact the Leader on Duty directly to request a visit or interview. You also may visit our online pressroom at Target.com/Pressroom to access product information, photos and more.

SOURCE Target