The home improvement retailer set the goal for its U.S. stores, resolving to reduce power consumption in its stores by 20% per square foot. Current reductions are at 16% reduction in kilowatt usage per square foot; the company currently consumes 21 kWh per square foot in its properties.

Since 2004, energy efficiency efforts have led the company to reduce usage of power by 2.6 billion kilowatt-hours in its U.S. retail locations.

Next, the company wants to work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its supply chain. Home Depot is using World Resources Institute and World Business Council for Sustainable Development protocol to calculate its carbon footprint, with the goal of reaching a 20% reduction over the next several years.

"We continually strive to operate a more efficient business and these efforts enable us to reduce our energy usage and cut our carbon emissions," said Ron Jarvis, vice president of environmental innovation for Home Depot. "While our accomplishments in lowering our store energy use have been significant, we will identify additional ways we can continue the reduction. In addition, the changes we are making to increase productivity in our supply chain will allow us to reduce our transportation greenhouse gas emissions substantially."

Energy efficiency efforts include upgraded HVAC systems, energy-efficient lighting and aligning of stocking hours more closely with store operating hours, the company said.

Contact Waste & Recycling News reporter Amanda Smith-Teutsch at 330-865-6166 or asmith-teutsch@crain.com