JCPenney recognized for sustainability efforts

21 Oct '09

4 min read

Transportation – JCPenney is committed to promoting greater efficiency and reduced environmental impact from the movement of goods through the supply chain. The Company is engaged in efforts to reduce “empty miles” on its third-party shipping carriers' truck delivery routes, employs an industry leading transportation management system and is working with its shipping carriers to put new, cleaner trucks into service at major port facilities. JCPenney joined the EPA's SmartWaySM Transport Partnership program in 2006 and this month received its second SmartWay Excellence Award.

Recycling – All JCPenney stores recycle about 75 percent of their waste, and the average for its logistics facilities is 80 percent. In 2008, JCPenney stores and logistics centers recycled approximately 93,500 tons of cardboard and 13,000 tons of plastic, including an estimated 165 million plastic clothes hangers. The Company additionally manages recycling programs for paper and ink cartridges, light bulbs and lighting ballasts, batteries, computers and other electronic devices. A Company-wide packaging organization has been developed to focus on innovation, packaging reduction and the use of recycled materials. JCPenney also accepts disposable plastic shopping bags at its stores for recycling, and its stylish reusable shopping bags have been a hit with customers, selling more than 700,000 units since their introduction in August 2008.

Renewable Energy – Nine JCPenney stores in California and New Jersey currently host rooftop solar power systems producing a total of 3.7 megawatts of electricity, and a pilot program is under way for the first commercial test of innovative, building-mounted wind turbines on the JCPenney logistics facility in Reno, Nev.

Building Greener Buildings – All newly constructed JCPenney stores incorporate a number of sustainable features, and in July the Company opened its first store submitted for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. LEED-EB (Existing Building) certification is also being sought for JCPenney's 1.9-million-square-foot home office and the Reno logistics facility. JCPenney is one of several leading companies selected to participate in the U.S. Department of Energy's Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative to achieve cost-effective energy savings through innovation.

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