Best Buy is a big company, which means we have an even bigger responsibility to take care of the environment and use resources responsibly.
We are committed to creating a thriving business while protecting the planet, conserving natural resources and preventing pollution. We do this through reducing our carbon footprint, building out a circular economy and helping our customers live more sustainably.
“We aim to keep our customers and their communities at the forefront of our decision making,” said Hugh Cherne, Associate Director of Environmental Sustainability at Best Buy. “We think deeply about the work we do, how we do it and the lasting positive impacts we can have on the world.”
We’re proud that our commitment has landed us in the top five of Barron’s list of the 100 Most Sustainable Companies in America for three straight years.
Minimizing our carbon footprint
Through the years, Best Buy has committed to reducing our carbon emissions and sourcing renewable energy.
Last year, we set a Science-Based Target to reduce our carbon footprint 75% by 2030 as compared to a 2009 baseline. And we plan to be carbon neutral by 2050.
We do this in part through investing in renewable energy systems. Technologies such as LED lighting and updated heating and cooling systems further reduce carbon emissions in our stores and distribution centers.
In 2016, we introduced a new Geekmobile fleet comprising more than 1,200 Toyota Prius c hybrids. In one year, the fleet saved more than 140,000 gallons of gas. We recently added another 300 vehicles to the Prius c lineup for our team of In-Home Advisors and will continue to pursue even more efficient vehicle options as they become available.
Our goals, efforts and progress do not go unnoticed. In 2020 CDP, the global authority on climate change, recently named Best Buy to its prestigious Climate A List for the fourth time. It recognizes our actions to cut emissions, mitigate climate risks and advance a low-carbon economy.
The circular economy
We aspire to drive forward the circular economy, which means we keep products in use for as long as possible through repair, trade-ins and recycling.
With more than 20,000 Geek Squad Agents and repair partners, we help customers extend the life of their products. We fix everything from computers to major appliances.
Best Buy offers consumers gift cards and discounts as a reward for responsibly managing their old tech through our Trade-In program which gives products a second life.
Best Buy also makes it easy to get rid of your old devices by collecting more electronics and appliances for recycling than any retailer in the U.S. To date, we’ve collected more than 2 billion pounds. (We have temporarily suspended our recycling and trade-in programs at stores while we operate curbside pickup-only during the COVID-19 outbreak.)
It can be as easy as dropping off that outdated printer or cable at one of our stores. Products collected for recycling are then removed from our stores, consolidated and delivered directly to one of our certified recycling partners. From there, the recyclers determine if the product can be repaired, repurposed or recycled into new items.
Additionally, we partner with product vendors and manufacturing suppliers that uphold the same high environmental standards of business conduct as we do.
Helping customers live more sustainably
Beyond our corporate efforts, we want to help our customers reduce their own carbon footprints while saving money on their energy bills.
Last year, we set a goal to help our customers save $5 billion on their utility bills by 2030. We’ll do that by offering an assortment of sustainable products and helping customers make informed decisions.
We promote ENERGY STAR® certified products and train our employees to be experts on them. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency just named Best Buy an ENERGY STAR Retail Partner of the Year for the seventh year in a row.
In addition to helping the environment, ENERGY STAR certified products save customers money by reducing their utility bills. Many local utilities offer rebates on ENERGY STAR products, as well.
This month, we launched a new digital category of products focused on helping customers reduce their carbon footprint. This includes DIY solar solutions, composters, indoor gardens and smart planting systems and products made from upcycled or recycled materials.
Together with our customers, we know we can make a difference.
To learn more about Best Buy’s sustainability efforts, click here.