Lowe's 2012 Annual Report Download - page 20

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Environmental Stewardship
Lowe’s environmental stewardship has been defined by addressing our company’s environmental footprint and helping our
customers do the same.
Lowe’s recognizes how efficient operations can help protect the environment and our bottom line. We examine our
operations to deliver efficiencies in energy and water use, fuel consumption, and waste and recycling. We annually track our
carbon footprint and participate in the Carbon Disclosure Project, an independent nonprofit organization hosting the largest
database of primary corporate climate change information in the world. To further reduce our footprint, we design energy-
efficient features (energy-efficient lighting, white membrane cool roofs and HVAC units that meet or exceed ENERGY
STAR® qualifications) into new stores and during retrofits of existing stores and participate in demand response programs
where we voluntarily reduce our lighting and HVAC loads during peak electrical demand periods.
We also strive to deliver products to our stores in an environmentally responsible manner. We achieve that through
participation in the SmartWay® Transport Partnership, an innovative program launched by the EPA in 2004 that promotes
environmentally cleaner, more fuel-efficient transportation options. Lowe’s received a 2012 SmartWay Excellence Award,
our fourth consecutive SmartWay honor, for initiatives that resulted in reduced emissions, greater fuel efficiency and less
overall highway congestion. Our efforts included increasing shipping by rail, increasing efficiency of truckload shipments
and continuing to use a higher percentage of SmartWay carriers.
We are also focused on helping consumers reduce their energy and water use and their environmental footprint while saving
money through our products and services. We offer a wide selection of environmentally responsible and energy-efficient
products for the home, including ENERGY STAR appliances, WaterSense® labeled toilets, paint with no volatile organic
compounds (VOC), indoor and outdoor LED lighting, and, in certain states, electric vehicle charging stations. Through our
in-home sales specialists we offer customers installation of insulation and energy efficient windows. Additionally, we offer
in-store customer recycling for plastic bags, CFLs, plastic plant containers and rechargeable batteries.
Our role in helping consumers with their conservation was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
with our third consecutive ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award (2010-2012), which honors our long-standing
leadership as a retailer of energy-efficient products. Lowe’s has received 10 consecutive ENERGY STAR awards
(2003-2012), including four ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year awards for educating consumers about the benefits of
energy efficiency. In 2012, the EPA WaterSense program also honored Lowe’s with our fourth consecutive award for
employee training, consumer education and national efforts to promote water conservation.
For more information on Lowe’s environmental leadership efforts, please visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility.
Compliance with Environmental Matters
Our operations are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations that have been enacted or adopted
regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment. These
laws and regulations may increase our costs of doing business in a variety of ways, including indirectly through increased
energy costs, as utilities, refineries, and other major emitters of greenhouse gases are subjected to additional regulation or
legislation that results in greater control over greenhouse gas emissions. We do not anticipate any material capital
expenditures during fiscal 2013 for environmental control facilities or other costs of compliance with such laws or
regulations.
Reaching Out / Our Community
Lowe’s has a long and proud history of supporting local communities through public education and community
improvement projects. In 2012, Lowe’s and Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation (LCEF) contributed more than
$30 million to schools and community organizations in the United States, Canada and Mexico. LCEF was created in 1957 to
assist communities through financial contributions while also encouraging employees to become involved through
volunteerism. In 2012, Lowe’s and LCEF supported more than 8,000 community and education projects. LCEF funds our
signature education grant program, Lowe’s Toolbox for Education®, and national partnerships such as SkillsUSA® and the
Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grants totaling more than $34 million have benefited
approximately 4 million schoolchildren since 2006. Lowe’s has worked with Habitat for Humanity® since 2003 to combat
substandard housing. Our commitment through 2013 will bring Lowe’s Habitat contributions to nearly $40 million since the
partnership began. We also partner with customers to support the American Red Cross, contributing more than $24 million
since 1999. Lowe’s encourages employee volunteerism through the Lowe’s Heroes program, a companywide initiative.
Lowe’s Heroes participated in more than 1,300 projects across North America in 2012. For more information on our
community involvement, please see the Lowe’s Social Responsibility Report at Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility.