Sustainability

Kohl’s sustainability goals include quantitative targets focused on three key areas: climate action, waste and recycling and sustainable sourcing. The company’s sustainability strategy is guided by leveraging business practices and decisions that enhance the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The company is committed to monitoring and reporting performance and progress against these goals within the company’s annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report.

Climate Change 
Our climate action goals are focused on the reduction of greenhouse emissions and increase of renewable energy use.

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Kohl’s-owned operations by 50% versus 2014 baseline by 2025. 

• Further reduce energy consumption by 10% at Kohl’s facilities by 2025, building off of the company’s existing 20% reduction against 2008 baseline. 

• Expand renewable energy platforms by building off the company’s existing 161 solar and wind locations.

• Support the transition to a low-carbon transportation system, building off of the company’s existing 96 locations offering electrical vehicle charging.

Waste and Recycling 
Our waste and recycling goals are focused on the management of all wastes, reducing waste generation and promoting relevant recycling information to customers.

• Divert 85% of Kohl’s U.S. operational waste from landfills by the end of 2025.

• Label 100% of Kohl’s-owned branded packaging with the How2Recycle® label by 2025.

• Reduce the amount of plastic and cardboard in Kohl’s-owned branded packaging.

Sustainable Sourcing
Our sustainable sourcing goals are focused on the efficient use of natural resources and environmentally sound management of chemicals within Kohl’s owned branded products.   

• Achieve 100% sustainably sourced cotton for Kohl’s proprietary brands by 2025.

• Achieve 50% of products containing polyester to be made with recycled materials in Kohl’s proprietary brands by 2025.

• Require all approved facilities producing Kohl’s private- and exclusive-branded products to complete the Higg Index Environmental Module by 2025. 

• Utilizing the Higg Index, drive substantial water reduction use in the production of Kohl’s-owned branded products by 2025.

• Emphasize the elimination and reduction of chemicals in Kohl’s-owned brand products and strive for a zero-discharge supply chain of hazardous chemicals, building off of the company’s existing chemical sustainability program.

Waste and Recycling Goals

Kohl's waste and recycling goals are focused on the management of all wastes, while also reducing waste generation and promoting relevant recycling information to customers. These goals support SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production.

• Divert 85 percent of Kohl’s U.S. operational waste from landfills by the end of 2025.

• Label 100 percent of Kohl’s owned branded packaging with the How2Recycle® label by 2025.

• Reduce the amount of plastic and cardboard in Kohl’s owned branded packaging.

We support recycling programs and waste avoidance strategies to conserve resources. Kohl’s solid waste management policy governs how we recycle in store and at our corporate facilities. The separation of cardboard, paper and plastic is a key company-wide practice, and the disposal of consumables and durable goods has the goal of recycling as much material as possible.

Waste reduction is good for the planet and it’s also good for business. Kohl’s is a leader among our peers when it comes to reducing waste. In 2018, Kohl’s was honored with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WasteWise honorable mention award for excellence in waste management, and we hope to make a continual appearance on this list.

All told, we recycle more than 130,000 tons of material each year.

Plastic Recycling: In 2014, we developed partnerships to help us recycle plastic film, bags and wrap. As a result of these programs, we recycled more than 7 million pounds of plastic film, bags and wrap from shipping, store operations and customers in 2018 alone. 

Plastic Bag & Hanger Recycling: When a customer leaves our store, the bags they’re holding are made from 30-50 percent recycled, unbleached plastic. Customers can also drop plastic bags in the in-store recycling bins and leave their hangers with us to reuse and recycle.

Paperless Credit Statement: We also reduce waste by reminding Kohl’s cardholders they can opt for paperless billing. Since 2014, we have issued more than 200 million electronic credit card statements. More than a quarter of all cardholders now receive their statements electronically. Additionally, all customers can opt into receiving e-receipts when they shop in store at Kohl’s. To learn how to opt into paperless billing visit kohls.com.

Beauty Products: Materials that were once destined for landfill now find a second life. Fragrance testers, nail polish and soaps are recycled into paints, floor cleaners and deodorizing sprays.

Fabric Scrap Recycling: The business of influencing fashion yields thousands of fabric scraps. Associates in fabric-cutting locations are sorting scraps and recycling them. Depending on the scrap size and design print, material is reused or turned into things like building or automobile insulation. In 2018, we collected nearly one ton of fabric scraps from our New York and Milwaukee locations.

Climate Action Goals
Kohl's climate action goals are focused on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and increase of renewable energy use. These goals support SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 13 Climate Action. 

• Reduce greenhouse emissions in Kohl’s owned operations by 50 percent versus 2014 baseline by 2025.

• Further reduce energy consumption by 10 percent at Kohl’s facilities by 2025, building off of the company’s existing 20 percent reduction against 2008 baseline.

• Expand renewable energy platforms by building off the company's existing 161 solar and wind locations.

• Support the transition to a low-carbon transportation system, building off of the company’s existing 96 locations offering electrical vehicle charging.

As a retailer, we see firsthand how climate change affects our business. Frequent or unusually heavy snow, ice or rain storms; natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, fires and hurricanes; or extended periods of unseasonable temperatures shift consumer shopping patterns. It can also cause physical damage to our properties as well as our customers and associates.
 

Emissions: Kohl’s achieved carbon neutral status in 2010, and we signed the American Business Act Pledge on Climate Change in 2015. Today, Kohl’s remains committed to this pledge. We are currently invested in business activities that contribute to this goal, with emissions data reported annually through CDP. For more information on our emissions view our 2018 CSR Report. 
 

Electric Vehicle Charging: Kohl’s is supportive of electric vehicle usage. In 2011, we started helping families play their part in lowering carbon emissions as we began providing electric vehicle charging stations in store and corporate parking lots. Accessibility to stations, whether while shopping or at work, creates a convenient and easy experience for customers and associates while we support environmentally-friendly behavior. Kohl’s currently has 216 electric vehicle charging spots spread across 96 locations. These stations provide more than 50,000 charging sessions per year to our customers and associates. These numbers have a cumulative effect on the air we breathe. By maintaining our solidarity with electric vehicle owners, the charging we provide powers more than 540,000 miles of driving and saves nearly 25,000 gallons of gasoline. Stations can be found on independent mobile apps for electric-vehicle drivers or on Kohls.com in the store locator section.
 

Renewable Energy: Kohl’s derives a significant amount of energy from the sun, with many of our stores getting up to 50 percent of their energy from solar. We currently host 200,000 solar panels on 161 rooftops around the country. We also rely on nine solar trees at two locations. Additionally, there are two wind turbines installed at our Findlay, Ohio, distribution center. Kohl’s maintains a commitment to renewable energy use through the purchase and production of renewable energy credits (RECs). In 2018, we secured RECs totaling approximately 33,669 MWh, resulting in the offset of 10,165 metric tons of carbon. This includes approximately 27,317 MWh from our on-site solar panels where Kohl’s retains or owns the RECs.
 

Energy Efficiency:  Kohl’s has the power to make a significant impact with the right energy solutions. 

Our cooperating partnership with the EPA ENERGY STAR program has remained consistent since 1998.  Kohl’s relies on ENERGY STAR for emerging tools and technical information to protect the climate and improve efficiency. The program helps us continually assess building performance and set future goals.

• Kohl’s was selected as a 2019 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year winner for Sustained Excellence, an honor reserved for ENERGY STAR partners demonstrating outstanding leadership, year over year. 

• Ninety percent of our stores are ENERGY STAR certified, including 26 stores certified in 2018. Kohl’s shares ENERGY STAR  accomplishments in ENERGY STAR certified stores via store door decals, overhead announcements and an icon at Kohls.com.

• Beyond the buildings themselves, ENERGY STAR-rated equipment and appliances like refrigerators, copy machines, TVs, and computers are used to help reduce energy consumption and affect Kohl’s carbon footprint.

   

As a voluntary participant in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Building Challenge, at the end of 2018, Kohl’s reached our goal of 20 percent energy reduction by achieving a total of 24 percent reduction based on a 2008 baseline. We’ve now set our sights higher with the new goal to cut an additional 15 percent on top of the 20 percent already realized.

• Lighting and HVAC: LED fixtures light the way at many Kohl’s locations. We continue to retrofit stores with high-efficiency lighting to reduce emissions and save electricity. In 2018, we converted 124 stores to LED which will save an estimated 36 million kWh per year. Additionally, 85 stores received a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system replacement for optimum efficiency.

Providing families with the products they love requires a complex network of shipping logistics. The global supply chain network is also an opportunity to work towards sustainable outcomes and continue to build upon our environmental performance. By saving miles, reducing packaging and being ultra efficient with the way we supply our stores, we strive to contribute to a more sustainable future and are committed to improving environmental performance.

Kohl’s Fleet: Kohl’s fleet is managed by vendor partners who are held to high standards through vetting and studying their sustainable practices. SmartWay membership for vendors is both sought after and encouraged.

All of our domestic miles in 2018 were with SmartWay members. This allowed us to vastly reduce the number of highway miles needed to serve our customers. The reduction of more than 2.6 million miles of total highway miles, earned our place in the EPA SmartWay Excellence Program.

Idle time for trucks is drastically reduced by utilizing drop-and-hook methods at the origin and destination of shipments. Currently we have 56 percent of our truckload freight operating with this technique. Kohl’s fleet is 98 percent drop-and-hook at store destinations.

Kohl’s California fleet is compliant with California Air Resource Board, all tires are low rolling resistant, and all required trailers have air foils installed in the undercarriage.

Kohl’s transportation data is constantly analyzed to uncover heightened efficiencies while reporting back to the EPA. SmartWay tools are used to measure Kohl’s emissions footprint and find ways to reduce fuel costs. Kohl’s also relies heavily on rail transport. Current rail usage stands at 61 percent of truckload freight. Using rail keeps the fleet at 75 percent less carbon emissions on inbound merchandise freight to Kohl’s distribution centers.

Future Fleet: Kohl’s chooses to work with transportation vendors with an eye on the future. Emerging technologies will make future fleets more efficient. Already, several Kohl’s carriers have placed orders for hydrogen fuel cell trucks, electric trucks and high-performance diesel trucks. The proliferation of air foils, trailer skirting, rear foils, cab air flow diverters and wheel covers are making the Kohl’s fleet more efficient every day.

International Carriers: Kohl’s Ocean Carriers are engaged through membership in the Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) Clean Cargo Working Group. More than 97 percent of our cargo travels on a BSR ship providing up-to-date emissions data in order to gain deeper understanding of our supply chain footprint. Our carriers belong to environmental programs that benchmark sustainability goals.

Shipping Partners: Kohl’s is proud to partner with carrier brands who actively promote sustainability efforts and who volunteer for membership in associations whose missions reflect the care we have toward the environment.

• Expeditors: Expeditors are a group of carriers who share a concern for transparency, freight transportation efficiency and the mitigation of harmful greenhouse gases from our business. This group belongs to SmartWay, Transporte, Limpio, Clean Cargo Working Group and Washington Business for Climate Action.

• Evergreen: Evergreen Marine Corp. launched green bonds to raise capital for green initiatives. These bonds will fund improved energy efficiencies, preventing and controlling pollution, and sustainable environmental development for all its operations.

• Orient Overseas Container Line: Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) provides an online carbon calculator to assist Kohl’s in measuring carbon dioxide emissions. New vessels on this line have the distinction of being 45 percent less than the International Maritime Bureau baseline for the Energy Efficiency Design Index and operate 20 percent more fuel efficient than similar size vessels. OOCL maintains membership in World Wildlife Fund, Climate Change Business Forum, and Clean Cargo Working Group, which were all voluntarily joined. They also hold Qualship 21 certification from the U.S. Coast Guard, the most rigid safety and environmental standards in the world for non-U.S. flagged vessels.

We’re a longtime partner to the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) green building program. Our expansive LEED® portfolio is one way we benchmark ourselves when it comes to creating positive and healthy shopping environments. There are currently more than 300 Kohl’s locations that are LEED® certified, representing 31 percent of our buildings.Kohl’s shares LEED® accomplishments in LEED®-certified stores via store door decals, overhead announcements and an icon at Kohls.com. Kohl’s buildings meet LEED® criterion because of our investment in the following aspects of design and construction.

• Water Conservation: Water is a precious resource and our stores are designed to manage it accordingly. Existing stores have low-flow faucets and new stores have low-flow toilets. Together, these measures help reduce indoor water usage at locations throughout the country. Smart irrigation controllers that use live weather data to adjust outdoor water usage has lowered water irrigation use.

• Building Materials: The buildings we construct are made of materials that support our sustainability efforts. Low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) materials such as wall coverings, carpet and ceiling tiles are used in the interior. Kohl’s also employs the use of pre- and post-recycled content throughout our buildings.

• Heat Island Effect: Reflective roofing material is often used to reduce the “heat island effect” that occurs when air and surface temperatures rise. These materials contribute to lowering a building’s energy demands.

Kohl's Chemical Sustainability Statement

Kohl’s sustainable sourcing goals are focused on the efficient use of natural resources and environmentally sound management of chemicals within the company’s owned branded products. These goals support SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production.

• Require all approved facilities producing Kohl’s private and exclusive branded products to use the Higg Index Environmental Module by 2025.

• Emphasize the prevention, elimination and reduction of chemicals in Kohl’s owned brand products and strive for a zero-discharge supply chain of hazardous chemicals, building off of the company’s existing chemical sustainability program.

Kohl’s chemical management strategy actively works to prevent, eliminate and reduce the use of chemicals in our products and operations. As a part of our commitment to sustainable solutions for healthy families and communities, we look to phase out potentially harmful chemicals or chemicals of concern, where possible, that may impact human health or the environment.

Kohl’s actively reviews opportunities to reduce the use of chemicals and works to identify and transition to safer alternatives within our corporate, retail, and distribution operations whenever possible.Our chemical management requirements apply to all raw materials, component parts, chemicals, packaging, and other goods used during manufacturing of our private label and direct import products. 

We abide by all applicable laws that pose limits on persistent, bioaccumulative chemicals, such as bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), methylene chloride, perfluorinated chemicals, and phthalates.

Kohl’s also maintains a detailed Restricted Substance List (RSL) which is in addition to, not in lieu of, all applicable laws. In some cases, Kohl’s has chosen to set standards and specifications that are stricter than what is required, around the use of formaldehyde and flame retardants. In 2020, we plan to issue our new Manufacturing Restricted Substance List (MRSL). Applicable laws include, but are not limited to: 

• Consumer Product Safety Act, Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, Flammable Fabrics Act, Federal Hazardous Substances Act, Poison Prevention Packaging Act, Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act, Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, California Proposition 65

Kohl’s vendors/suppliers are required to:

• Undergo third-party testing to ensure all products are produced, processed, manufactured, and tested in full compliance with all applicable laws.

• All approved facilities producing Kohl’s private and exclusive branded products are required to use the Higg Index Environmental Module by 2025. The Higg FEM measures several environmental impacts including chemical use and management.

• Be subject to regular audits, where we monitor factories to assure adherence to our RSL as well as our Terms of Engagement, which specifies safety procedures.

Kohl’s engages with vendors/suppliers to: 

• Provide easy access to product specification documents which include chemical management requirements, tools and RSL via our vendor portal.

• Ensure any product manufacturer for and sold to Kohl’s meets standards and specifications on chemical safety through our Purchase Order Terms and Conditions

• Provide training to help factories improve their chemical management, including understanding risk and the importance of taking proper precautions. 

• Assist in identifying opportunities to transition to preferred chemicals and require improvements when we find gaps in adherence.

Kohl’s sustainable sourcing goals are focused on the efficient use of natural resources and environmentally sound management of chemicals within the company’s owned branded products. These goals support SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production.

• Achieve 100 percent sustainably sourced cotton for Kohl’s owned brand apparel, accessories and home product by 2025. 

• Achieve 50 percent of polyester made with recycled materials in Kohl’s owned brand apparel, accessories and home product by 2025.

Shopping both in store and online, customers will discover products within our private and exclusive brands that support our sustainable sourcing goals. With Kohl’s private and exclusive brands representing 40% of our total business and with  categories across home, accessories, footwear and apparel, our aim is to grow our offering of sustainable products. Currently, one-hundred percent of Kohl’s proprietary brand towels and sheets are MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX®. Select styles of apparel support our sustainability efforts being sourced as Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) or using Certified Recycled Polyester or REPREVE® Recycled Fiber. Most certifications are communicated on product packaging, as well as on Kohls.com in the product details section, such as:

• STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® is an independent certification system for textiles from all stages of production that have been tested for harmful substances. The certificate is awarded when all elements of an item fulfill the annually updated requirements.

• MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® is a label for products made with materials tested for harmful substances and produced in environmentally-friendly facilities under socially-responsible working conditions. The unique product ID provides consumers a transparent way to learn more about its manufacturing journey.

• Better Cotton Initiative (BCI): Better Cotton is sourced via a system of Mass Balance. See bettercotton.org/massbalance for details. Better Cotton means producing cotton in a way that cares for the environment through processes that minimize the negative impact of fertilizers and pesticides, and care for water, soil health and natural habitats. BCI licensed farmers aim to achieve better yields and more financial security through access to global markets, while improving the working conditions in their fields.

• REPREVE® Recycled Fiber: Plastic bottles are sorted, washed, and chopped into flakes. The clean flakes are blended, melted and turned into Repreve recycled chips. The REPREVE® chips are transformed into fibers used in apparel and home products. REPREVE® content claims are verified through accredited standards.

To learn more about our Amazing product view our Amazing Product page

Kohl’s is proud to have been recognized with the following awards for significant progress implementing its environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives:

DJSI Retail North America Family Listing

Kohl’s has been named to the 2019 DJSI retail North America family listing acknowledging the company’s accelerated commitment to sustainability efforts. DJSI takes a best-in-class approach to analyzing companies, setting a high bar of analysis based on financially material Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors.

Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies

For the first time, in 2019 Kohl's was named to Barron's list of the Top 100 Sustainable Companies. Kohl’s was recognized for our strong commitment to environmental, social and corporate governance practices. Image reprinted with permission of Barron’s.

CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project)

Kohl’s was awarded a C on the 2018 Climate Change disclosure for our climate management strategies and carbon emission reduction. We are proud to report three consecutive years of a downward trend in emissions from our operations as we continue to emphasize using energy efficiently and sourcing renewable energy. By lowering our greenhouse gas emissions and monitoring our environmental footprint, Kohl’s demonstrates our commitment to healthy families and a healthy future.

EPA ENERGY STAR Partner & Sustained Excellence Award

Our cooperating partnership with the EPA ENERGY STAR program has remained consistent since 1998. Kohl’s was selected as a 2019 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year winner for Sustained Excellence, an honor reserved for ENERGY STAR partners demonstrating outstanding leadership, year over year. Kohl’s relies on ENERGY STAR for emerging tools and technical information to protect the climate and improve efficiency. The program helps us continually assess building performance and set future goals. Ninety percent of our stores are ENERGY STAR certified, including 26 stores certified in 2018.

Green Power Partner & Top 30 Retailer

Kohl’s has been an active member of EPA’s Green Power Partnership since 2006, and has been named on EPA’s Green Power Top 30 Retail list since 2014, previously holding the number one spot for four consecutive years.

U.S. Department of Energy's Better Building Challenge Achiever

As a participant in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Building Challenge, Kohl’s reached our goal of 20 percent energy reduction by achieving a total of 24 percent reduction based on a 2008 baseline. We’ve now set our sights higher with the new goal to cut an additional 15 percent on top of the 20 percent already realized.

SmartWay Shipper Partner

Kohl’s is a shipper partner of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay Transport Program. Kohl’s fleet is managed by vendor partners who are held to high standards through vetting their sustainable practices. SmartWay membership for vendors is both sought after and encouraged. All of our domestic miles in 2019 were with SmartWay members. This allowed us to vastly reduce the number of highway miles needed to serve our customers. The reduction of more than 2.6 million miles, of total highway miles, earned Kohl’s the EPA’s SmartWay Excellence Award in 2017.

EPA WasteWise Partner & Award

In 2018, Kohl’s was honored with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WasteWise honorable mention award for excellence in waste management,  leading large businesses in its practices of preventing waste and recycling in order to achieve both environmental and economic benefits.

U.S. Green Building Council Member

Kohl’s is a member of the USGBC and we use the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design™ (LEED®) green building program rating systems to guide the design, construction and operation of our stores. We continue to emphasize LEED® where appropriate and our portfolio stands as a testament to the steps we have taken to reduce our environmental impact and provide customers with a positive and healthy shopping environment.

Sustainable Apparel Coalition

Kohl’s is one of the founding members of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) and maintains an active membership.The SAC is a group of apparel manufacturers, retailers, brands and non-government organizations working together to standardize sustainability measures in the apparel and footwear supply chain.

Higg Index

The Higg index is an indicator-based tool for apparel and footwear that enables companies like ours to evaluate materials, products and facilities based on key environmental impacts and ratings. We use the Higg Index to benchmark ourselves against our peer companies and make more sustainable choices when it comes to supply chains and factory performance.

Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council

Kohl’s actively serves on the advisory board of the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council (WSBC). Kohl’s has been awarded the Green Masters Award in 2018 for its performance across multiple initiatives.The WSBC awards the Green Masters Award to businesses performing in the top 20% of applicants in the Green Masters Program, a comprehensive environmental, social and governance (ESG) assessment program.

Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA)

Kohl’s regularly participates in Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) Environmental Compliance and Sustainability meetings to share expertise and discuss industry trends in sustainability efforts.

How2Recycle®

Kohl’s is an active member of the How2Recycle® label program since 2019. How2Recycle® is a standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. It involves a coalition of forward thinking brands who want their packaging to be recycled and are empowering consumers through smart packaging labels.

Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)

Kohl’s has been an active member of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) since 2019. BCI is the largest cotton sustainability program in the world and aims to transform cotton production worldwide.