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Earth Day Year in Review

April 22, 2019

Since 1970, April 22 has marked Earth Day, the official day we celebrate our environment. Here’s a look at how The Home Depot celebrates Earth Day every day. 

 

Even rechargeable batteries run out of energy, eventually. Since 2001, The Home Depot has partnered with Call2Recycle®, a nonprofit battery stewardship program, to offer in-store rechargeable battery collection. Since the program’s inception, The Home Depot has diverted 10 million pounds of rechargeable batteries from landfills. Today, Home Depot stores in nearly every state offer this program to customers.

 

The Home Depot gets an “A” from the CDP, an environmental impact non-profit. For cutting carbon emissions and alleviating climate risks, CDP named The Home Depot to its Climate Change “A” list.  In 2018, The Home Depot also set a Science Based Target goal through CDP reporting with end dates of 2030 and 2035. As part of its renewable energy strategy, The Home Depot will purchase enough wind energy from the Pretty Prairie Wind Project in Kansas to power about 40 stores for a year. The home improvement retailer also acquires solar energy from farms across the US and has operational rooftop solar systems at 45 stores.

 

The Home Depot takes strides year-round to make it easier for customers to be kinder to the planet (and their wallets). Here are a few key takeaways:

  1. Properly sealing and insulating your home alone can save at least $200 a year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program. Learn more about types of insulation here.
  1. Installing a smart thermostat is a great way to control your home’s climate on the go. And options like Nest and Ecobee help identify energy trends and histories, as well as reduce your heating and cooling costs by $140 a year.
  1. Changing air filters not only increases the life span of HVACs, it keeps your home’s air cleaner and reduces energy consumption by 5 – 15 percent. This can save $100 a year on energy costs. Find the right one for you here.
  1. Swapping 10 incandescent bulbs for LEDs is a simple way to reduce energy consumption and save money. 

 

Want to learn more about The Home Depot’s sustainability initiatives? Click here.