When it comes to sustainability, it’s no longer about incorporating a strategy to get ahead of trends, but rather, a sustainability strategy is needed in order to not be left behind.
With fast-fashion kingpins H&M and Uniqlo already far ahead of the status quo when it comes to strategies incorporating sustainability and fair trade, Macy’s, which has been stumbling along this past year for a variety of reasons, has finally declared new moves towards achieving a more sustainable existence.
According to Amy Hanson, the Vice President of Macy’s, this next year is about taking the retailer and making it “more efficient, less wasteful and greener.” First, they plan to reduce their energy consumption by putting in LED lighting in 800 stores and adding solar panels to roofs of stores and distribution centers across the United States in the next year.
Packaging is also undergoing changes with more standardized cartons and recycled materials and incorporating digital receipts for customers. Another big addition is adding more EV charging stations. For example, in Los Angeles, they plan to add 17 more electric vehicle charging stations outside 8 Macy’s stores by the end of the year.
Macy’s has also recently joined the Sustainable Apparel Coalition. This organization gives credibility to fashion retailers as it means a commitment to working towards reducing a brand’s environmental footprint by adhering to a number of steps that organization outlines in order to be a member.
To offset their carbon footprint, Macy’s also raised $700,000 from their Macy’s Heart Your Park program with the National Recreation and Park Association.
“We have come a long way in making our company more efficient, less wasteful and greener—which is important to our customers, associates, shareholders and communities,” said Hanson, “In all, we have already implemented more than 100 new sustainability ideas over the past six years. But the more we do, the more we learn about opportunities for further improvement. We are more committed today than ever to pursuing new advances in sustainability and finding pragmatic steps we can take to become responsible stewards of our environment while also engaging our workforce and reducing costs.”
