The Home Depot has released its 2020 Responsibility Report. This annual report highlights those company policies the retail chain deems socially responsible, and includes policies on the environment, racial equality and social justice.

The Home Depot is an international retail chain headquartered in Cobb County, and is one of the county’s largest private employers.

“We believe our commitment to continuing progress on environmental, social and governance issues has made our company stronger, had a lasting positive impact on the environment, deepened our relationships with associates and customers, and created long-term shareholder value,” said Craig Menear, chairman, CEO and president of The Home Depot in a press release announcing publication of the report. “I want to thank our associates and suppliers for the significant progress we made last year and look forward to making meaningful progress in the future.”

The press release also stated:

New goals include a commitment to produce and procure energy from 335 megawatts of renewable and alternative energy projects by 2025 – equivalent to the amount of energy it takes to power more than 90,000 homes. Additionally, the company pledged to eliminate expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film from its private brand packaging by 2023. 

As part of its existing pledge to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 50 percent by 2035, The Home Depot reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent in 2019, driven primarily by energy reductions and supply chain efficiencies. The company reduced its electricity consumption in U.S. stores by 383 million kilowatt hours, tripling its 2018 reduction while at the same time adding three new U.S. stores to its footprint.

A section of the press release entitled “Strengthening Communities” list the following activities of the retail chain (all bullet points exact quotes from the press release):

• The Home Depot Foundation continued its efforts to improve the homes and lives of U.S. veterans, assist communities affected by natural disasters and train skilled tradespeople to fill the labor gap. Since 2011, the Foundation’s total investment in veterans causes surpassed $335 million – part of its $500 million pledge by 2025.
• The Foundation has established trades training programs for military members and high school students in more than 15 states, as well as an innovative K12 program in Georgia, all part of its $50 million commitment to train 20,000 tradespeople by 2028 to address the skilled labor shortage and provide a path to quality jobs.
• In 2019, the Foundation gave $3.5 million to help communities recover from natural disasters and partnered with nonprofits like Operation Blessing, the American Red Cross, Team Rubicon and Convoy of Hope.
• Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, The Home Depot has prioritized the safety and well-being of associates and customers, while remaining open to provide essential products and services to its communities. The company has contributed more than $50 million to support communities, including donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) to first responders, hospitals and healthcare workers, with more than 95 percent of its stores contributing PPE and other supplies in their local communities.