Dive Brief:

  • Best Buy has achieved a significant sustainability objective established in 2021, which aimed for the company to attain zero waste at all its supply chain facilities.
  • The consumer electronics retailer announced on Tuesday that all 29 of its supply chain facilities have been certified as zero-waste, meeting the requirements of the Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE) designation from the Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), which verifies global green building and sustainability standards, including the LEED program.
  • The TRUE certification mandates that companies divert more than 90% of their waste from landfills, conduct regular waste audits, comply with local laws and discharge permits, keep contamination levels below 10%, and maintain an active zero-waste policy.

Dive Insight:

Best Buy reported that its supply chain facility in Chino, California, was the first to earn zero-waste certification in 2021. The company did not disclose which facility was the last to qualify for the certification.

“Waste reduction is an important part of our environmental efforts to conserve resources and promote sustainable operations across all our business,” the retailer stated in an August 18 press release.

To achieve this goal, Best Buy said it optimized packaging methods, expanded its recycling programs, and “implemented innovative practices,” such as introducing employee-led “green teams” at each facility to reduce waste and improve resource efficiency. Green team members support the company’s waste-diversion objectives and educate and train colleagues on meeting these targets.

Best Buy also noted that it repurposes foam materials like Styrofoam throughout its supply chain. The company uses industrial densifiers to melt and compress the foam into solid blocks, which are then shipped to partners who convert the material into new products, including packaging, building materials, and even picture frames.

The company said cardboard and plastic constitute the largest share of materials it collects and diverts from landfills.

“This achievement reaffirms our dedication not only to minimize our environmental impact but also improve our efficiency for the long-term success of the company,” Best Buy Head of Environmental Sustainability Tim Dunn said in the release.

Last month, the retail giant said it had expanded its solar power portfolio by installing a solar garden atop one of its New York stores and adding solar generation near a distribution center in California. The New York installation was its first solar project co-located at a store.

The company has set a target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.