REDUCING PLASTIC
As a consumer-driven business, we know that we have an opportunity to get our products to our athletes more efficiently and with less waste. While we are still investigating the best alternatives, weighing athlete satisfaction against performance and the lifecycle impacts of each potential solution, this goal represents a commitment by DICK’S to contribute in a significant way to the reduction of plastics in the waste stream.
REDUCING WASTE
Our waste reduction efforts work in tandem with our increased recycling efforts as our facilities continue their journey toward eliminating as much waste as possible. We know that recycling is one of the most effective ways to divert waste from landfills, and our stores, distribution centers, and headquarters have been implementing and maintaining robust recycling practices where we can. We have a policy to reuse hangers in-store, return them to vendors for reuse, or recycle them at our distribution centers. These efforts have helped us maintain a waste diversion rate of 68% even as our operations continue to grow. In 2019, 41,508 tons of material were recycled, and 20,004 tons were sent to landfill, representing a 56% improvement since 2014.
REDUCING PACKAGING
As a retailer, we recognize our responsibility to reduce the amount of materials used to package our products, and we continuously explore new ways to reduce the environmental impacts of sales to our athletes.
CONSERVING WATER
We have used low flow technologies since 2007. Our prototype and spec documentation dates back to 2014 with fixtures meeting EPA WaterSense criteria and implementing xeriscaping where we can to reduce water
INVESTING IN GREEN BUILDING
We have adopted the standards of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® certification within our building design strategies, with our Goodyear, Ariz., distribution center and our Customer Service Center in Pittsburgh being the first two buildings to achieve LEED® Silver certification. At the same time, we have modified our specifications for construction of new stores, with LED lighting and other sustainability attributes included as standard. We take a comprehensive approach to the environmental excellence of our buildings, with features including high - efficiency HVAC systems, skylights, white roofs, low - flow water fixtures, water - saving landscaping and more.