Kohl's measures its carbon footprint through the guidelines provided by the Environmental Protection Agency Climate Leaders.

We voluntarily disclose our measurement of transportation emissions. This measurement is reported to the EPA SmartWay Shipper Program and the Carbon Disclosure Project.

Most of Kohl's emissions are a result of operations-based electricity usage. In December 2009, Kohl's set a goal to achieve "net zero" carbon emissions in 2010, 2011 and 2012 through its membership in the EPA Climate Leaders program. Kohl's met this goal in 2010 and 2011 and is on track to do the same in 2012 through our use of renewable energy and energy-efficiency programs.

In 2007, Kohl's joined the EPA SmartWay Shipper program. In October 2008 and 2009, Kohl's was recognized by the EPA with its SmartWay Shipper Excellence Award for achievements in efficient shipping of merchandise.

In 2010, Kohl's executed 17,456 backhaul trips to our Distribution Centers from our vendors on return trips to stores. This eliminated 4,151,549 empty miles. These once-empty trailers now carry merchandise from our vendors, ultimately reducing the number of inbound transportation trips. Kohl's also uses rail transportation for 54% of all inbound transportation, which uses less fuel and causes fewer emissions than truck services.

Our transportation carriers are doing their part in fuel efficiency as well. In 2010, nine of our top 10 carriers had the highest rating of 1.25 in the EPA SmartWay program. The program stresses fuel efficiency and carbon-reduction strategies. In total, Kohl's achieved a 1.19 out of 1.25 rating for miles traveled in 2010 on EPA SmartWay-rated carriers.

Kohl's is committed to moving merchandise to its stores efficiently. Currently, about 4% (or more than 1 million miles) have been moved in outbound shipments (shipments from distribution centers to stores) using biodiesel fuel. This means that more than 4% of Kohl's outbound transportation miles were moved using tractors fueled with at least B5 grade biodiesel, meaning the fuel is 5% biodiesel and 95% petro-diesel. Biodiesel fuel is made from renewable resources such as plant oils, animal fat and recycled grease. This fuel reduces carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and other harmful emissions. Seven Kohl's carriers participate in this program.

It's our goal to use products with recycled content when it's cost-effective, saving water, energy, landfill space, oil and even trees.

The following is a list of items Kohl's purchases for its business operations.

• Gift Boxes: 100% recycled content
• Restroom Papers: 100% recycled content
• Merchandise Bags: 20-35% recycled content
• e-Commerce Shipping Cartons: 34% recycled content
• Office Supplies: 9.9% recycled content

Our plastic shopping bags are gray for a reason. They contain more recycled content than a standard white bag.

It is important to ensure Kohl's is complying with all environmental regulations and requirements.

Kohl's Environmental Compliance Program provides a network for environmental compliance guidelines and policies to ensure environmental compliance and environmental consciousness while reducing our environmental impact.

The materials collected through Kohl's Environmental Recycling Program are reused, recycled or re-engineered into new products, such as alternative fuel sources, industrial floor cleaners and artisan paints.

In 2010, we recycled more than 357,500 pounds from remodeled stores.

Construction activities can be disruptive to the environment. To minimize the impact and reduce sedimentation and erosion, Kohl's implements a nationwide Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) at every new store location. We work with a national SWPPP consultant to prepare a site-specific erosion- and sedimentation-control plan for every Kohl's site to control soil erosion, waterway sedimentation and airborne dust generation.

Many factors are considered when selecting a site for a new Kohl’s store. One of the items considered is the environmental impact of building in a given location. Numerous Kohl’s sites comply with LEED requirements for site selection, including avoiding developing on: prime farmland, habitat for endangered species, land within 100 feet of wetlands or land within 50 feet of a body of water.

Reduction in private vehicle use reduces fuel consumption and air and water pollutants caused by vehicle exhaust. All new Kohl’s stores have bike racks and changing facilities provided for employees and customers. Many times, Kohl’s is also located near public transportation. When possible, Kohl’s parking lots provide preferred parking for customers and associates who carpool to reduce the amount of space covered with asphalt.

Kohl’s is committed to limiting the disruption of natural hydrology by managing pollution and contaminants from storm-water runoff. Kohl’s has placed an emphasis on the importance of storm-water management during the design and construction phase of a project, and that emphasis continues with the ongoing maintenance of these measures at the stores. The majority of storm-water quality best management practices (BMP) occur in adjacent ponds and open space, and are often combined systems managing storm water for a greater retail development, within which Kohl’s is a smaller parcel.

Heat islands are created as cities to replace natural land cover with buildings, asphalt and other dark-colored, hard-surface infrastructure. This causes both the air and surface temperatures to be higher than temperatures in nearby rural areas, resulting in increased energy demands. Kohl's stores utilize a white membrane roofing material that has a minimum Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of 78. This material reduces each building's energy demand and mitigates its heat island impact.

New Kohl’s stores use LED lights, a focused light source that allows for directional/full cut-off design, as well as energy efficiency. The site illumination for each new store project is designed to light the general parking area and provide pedestrian safety, but not send light into the night sky or spill onto adjacent properties.

Landscaping plants used on Kohl’s projects nationwide are native or adaptive to their climates. This reduces the amount of water needed to irrigate the plants. Kohl’s primarily uses drip emitters, which prevent the loss of water through evapotranspiration, a process that occurs as water flies through the air during spray irrigation. The systems are controlled by a “smart” irrigation controller that monitors weather and climate conditions.

Responsibly designed landscaping and irrigation reduce the potable water used by Kohl's for irrigation by 50%. At some new store sites, no permanent irrigation is installed or an alternative water source is utilized, resulting in no potable water used to irrigate plants.

Kohl’s recognizes potable water as a valuable resource, and reducing usage is a major environmental initiative throughout the company. We install water-conserving plumbing fixtures, including low-flow aerators, metering faucets, low-flush urinals and dual-flush water closets in new stores to reduce water consumption by 30%.

Commissioning is an important layer of accountability, holding both our design consultants and general contractors to the high Kohl’s energy-performance and sustainability standards. The Kohl’s commitment to commissioning new stores predates all LEED certification, but the rigorous LEED requirements have improved the entire process. Every new Kohl’s store and even noncertifiable takeover locations undergo full LEED fundamental and enhanced commissioning.

Fundamental commissioning of our newly constructed buildings maintains Kohl’s commitment to optimizing energy performance by ensuring energy-using equipment is installed and operating in accordance with the owner’s project requirements, basis of design and construction documents (plans and specifications).

Kohl’s recognizes the importance of energy efficiency and has had a long history of focusing on this initiative. Energy efficiency helps the environment and saves money. All Kohl’s stores have a building automation system tied to an energy management system, which monitors store heating, cooling and ventilation. Other standard Kohl’s energy-saving measures include: Low-lighting power density, reflective Thermoplastic Olefin or Polyolefin (TPO) membrane roof, high-efficiency HVAC systems and demand-control ventilation. All Kohl’s building standard footprints are extensively energy modeled to anticipate efficiency and performance in every ASHRAE climate zone nationwide.

Kohl’s actively measures building performance to understand energy and water consumption and identify opportunities for improvements and savings. Every Kohl’s store is entered into the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Portfolio Manager website. Kohl’s existing building portfolio currently has an average ENERGY STAR score of 75, and more than 600 stores are ENERGY STAR-labeled. In addition, Kohl’s has chosen to participate in the USGBC’s Building Performance Partnership (BPP) to expand our existing tracking program and benchmark Kohl’s LEED building performance against similar LEED-certified retail facilities.

In 2006, Kohl’s joined the EPA Green Power Partnership in support of the development of renewable energy sources in the United States. Since joining, Kohl’s has demonstrated support through both on-site and off-site retail leadership. Kohl’s currently is the largest solar array host (KW) in North America.

Kohl’s currently hosts 116 photovoltaic power plants on its facility rooftops which generate clean silent renewable energy for 114 stores, the San Bernardino, CA, distribution center and the Milwaukee, WI Photo Studio. Solar arrays are located on store rooftops in Arizona, California, Oregon, Colorado, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Kohl's is currently committed to purchase 100% renewable energy. Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) have been purchased to "green" 100% of every new store's power. Kohl's purchases renewable energy credits from a wide variety of sources, including biomass, biogas, wind, solar and small hydrogeneration. Kohl's was recognized by the EPA four years in a row for its ongoing commitment to development of renewable energy. In 2011, Kohl's received its third EPA Green Power Partner of the Year Award for this initiative.

Kohl’s has a comprehensive, company-wide waste reduction program with aggressive goals and continual education for all store and corporate employees. Kohl’s won an EPA WasteWise Gold Achievement Award in 2010 for our purchase and use of recycled and environmentally responsible materials throughout our operations. All Kohl’s Department Stores have active recycling programs with multiple collection points throughout the store. All stores recycle office paper, cans, glass, cardboard, hangers, gift cards and plastic. Receptacles throughout the facilities are designated for the sorting and collection of recyclable materials. Employees and customers also can bring in plastic bags to be recycled.

Recycling maximum amounts of construction waste at each new construction or remodel site is required on every project. Kohl’s has developed a comprehensive Construction Waste Management Plan (CWMP) to be utilized on each construction project. The CWMP provides guidance to general contractors on Kohl’s expectations, requirements, diversion goals, on-site procedures, training, etc. The Kohl’s CWMP is flexible in that it allows the contractors to work within the limits and availability of local recycling and diversion opportunities. Kohl’s understands that not all communities across the country have the same waste policies and opportunities to recycle. Some communities have progressive commingled construction waste facilities that accept all waste and divert most materials, while other regions may only have available metals or cardboard recycling. This effort diverts 50-75% of construction waste from local landfills!

To reduce the demand on virgin materials and the environmental impact of material extraction and manufacturing, Kohl's uses many recycled building materials. Materials such as steel, carpet, ceiling tiles, drywall and insulation are selected with the maximum amounts of recycled content in mind. An estimated 20% of building materials in new Kohl's stores, as measured by cost, are recycled!

Regionally manufactured and harvested building materials are used in the construction of new Kohl's stores to reduce the environmental impact of transporting heavy building materials. Key materials such as concrete and steel are sourced within 500 miles of each new store site. In fact, an estimated 20% of building materials in new Kohl's stores, as measured by cost, are sourced within 500 miles of their respective store sites!

Improved indoor air quality (IAQ) enhances the environment for Kohl's employees and customers. There is a no-smoking policy at all Kohl's stores. Smoking is not permitted indoors or within 25 feet of any entrances. We monitor fresh air ventilation and carbon dioxide levels at all Kohl's stores and have a centralized energy-management system controlling the HVAC. The units are programmed to provide an increased supply of outside air. Fresh air is constantly circulating throughout the new stores, adding to the overall air quality during seasons when buildings are often closed up and the air becomes stagnant.

Kohl’s developed a stringent Construction Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management Plan that is utilized on all Kohl’s new construction projects. The IAQ management plan reduces air-quality problems resulting from construction, and protects it for building occupants. The IAQ plan requires contractors to shut down air-handling systems during the heaviest periods of construction, properly store absorptive materials and change air filters regularly. The plan is designed to meet and exceed the recommended control measures of SMACNA IAQ Guidelines for Occupied Buildings Under Construction, 2nd Edition 2007.

Kohl’s is committed to providing a clean, pleasant and safe environment for all customers and associates. One way this is achieved is by selecting interior finish construction materials that contain low volatile organic compounds (VOC). Using low-VOC materials reduces fumes associated with paint, sealants, carpet, adhesives, composite wood, insulation and wall systems.

In order to provide a comfortable thermal (temperature and humidity) environment that promotes occupant productivity and wellbeing, Kohl’s HVAC systems and building envelope are designed to meet the requirements of ASHRAE Standard 55-2004. In an effort to continually assess and monitor the thermal comfort of our stores, Kohl’s utilizes a survey process and continual customer and Associate feedback.

Kohl’s uses a number of resources to educate customers, Associates and stakeholders about sustainable building design. Key educational materials developed for our customers include in-store brochures on the LEED for Retail New Construction credits achieved in our stores and their associated environmental benefits. The brochures are located with each store’s LEED Plaque. Customers are also educated on LEED and Kohl’s environmental programs through PA announcements and at the point of sale, and in customer service areas on rotating screen savers. This website also contains extensive information on Kohl’s environmental and LEED-specific educational information.

Kohl's stores are cleaned using only green housekeeping practices and green chemicals. Using green cleaning supplies reduces the exposure of store occupants and maintenance staff to potentially harmful chemicals. Restroom paper products are made from 100 percent recycled fibers.

Kohl’s strives to look beyond our direct environmental impact and positively influence our business partners in hopes of improving the wider retail industry sustainability. Kohl’s encourages environmental values in our business partners through supply chain sustainability. The focus of supply chain sustainability is to collaborate with Kohl’s stakeholders, in particular its vendors and service providers, to operate in the most efficient manner possible, resulting in resource conservation and stewardship. To learn more about this initiative, see Supply Chain.

Lighting merchandise is a key process in retail operations. Optimizing presentation and adequately lighting the store for customer safety and aesthetics are ongoing processes. One factor in the selection of lamps in Kohl’s lighting fixture design is mercury content. Kohl’s follows a toxic material source reduction policy to guide purchases of replacement lamps. New stores install lamps with low mercury content and are replaced as needed with equivalent or lower mercury lamps.

Kohl’s is committed to limiting the disruption of natural hydrology by minimizing pollution and contaminants in storm-water runoff. The majority of storm-water quality Best Management Practices (BMP) occur in adjacent ponds and open space and are often combined systems managing storm water for a greater retail development, within which Kohl’s is a smaller parcel.

Kohl’s recognizes the importance of conserving water and measuring building usage. Kohl’s measures water performance to understand consumption and identify opportunities for additional water savings. All locations’ usage, billing rates and metering information can be queried, and historical data can be accessed at any time by Kohl’s staff. General usage at each store is tracked to understand consumption patterns for a given location, region, etc. The data is evaluated regularly to look for water-savings opportunities across individual stores, regions or the entire portfolio of existing stores.

The majority of Kohl’s indoor water use is attributed to the restrooms. Kohl’s LEED EB stores utilize use-metering faucets with low-flow aerators to reduce indoor water usage. This results in a 20% savings in water usage.

Kohl’s continually seeks opportunities to increase operating energy performance and reduce operating expenses. Kohl’s commitment to maximizing energy efficiency is beneficial for customers, shareholders and the environment. All Kohl’s stores have a building automation system (BAS) tied to an energy-management system centrally controlled at the corporate headquarters. The monthly energy data collected allows Kohl’s to review store consumption patterns, review potential areas for energy-saving opportunities and verify utility bill accuracy. These efforts have contributed to more than 600 Kohl’s stores being ENERGY STAR labeled, including all of the Kohl’s LEED EBOM stores.

In 2006, Kohl’s joined the EPA Green Power Partnership in support of the development of renewable energy sources in the United States. Since joining, Kohl’s has demonstrated support through both on-site and off-site retail leadership. Kohl’s currently is the largest solar array host (KW) in North America. In 2011, Kohl’s ranked #1 in retail and #2 overall for the purchase of green power!

Kohl’s was recognized by the EPA five years in a row for its ongoing commitment to development of renewable energy. In 2009, 2010 and 2011 Kohl’s received the EPA Green Power Partner of the Year Award for this initiative. Kohl’s purchases renewable energy credits from a wide variety of sources, including biomass, biogas, wind, solar and small hydro generation. Kohl’s understands that its use of energy is the largest impact on the environment and utilizes both energy efficiency and renewable energy to mitigate those impacts. Kohl’s reports purchases of renewable energy credits to the EPA Green Power partnership on a quarterly basis. To learn more about our solar program and green power commitment, see Energy Efficiency.

Emissions reduction is one of Kohl’s sustainability strategies that support our environmental mission. Voluntary measurement of greenhouse gas emissions produced as a result of Kohl’s operations exhibits the organization’s serious commitment to environmentally sound business operations.

Kohl’s Corporate Sustainability Team annually measures scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions through its voluntary participation in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Climate Leaders program. The Climate Leaders program provides strict calculation guidance based on the World Resource Institute Protocols. These protocols are used to calculate emissions from two key sources: stationary combustion and electricity generation. To learn more about Kohl’s annual emissions reporting, see Climate.

As a part of the Sustainable Purchasing Policy, Kohl’s has an Environmentally Preferred Product (EPP) evaluation. The EPP takes sustainability factors into product selection consideration and during the bid-awarding process. Numerous vendors bid yearly for the opportunity to supply Kohl’s stores with their products. Each type of product is bid on by numerous vendors and a single supplier is awarded the bid based on cost and environmental considerations, like recycled content, forestry certifications, etc. as applicable for each product. More than 60% of all ongoing consumable products (by cost) used in Kohl’s stores are environmentally preferred.

Kohl’s is committed to buying energy-efficient electronic products whenever available and financially feasible. We recognize that using energy-efficient products reduces usage and results in reduced recycle costs. Kohl’s purchases multiple ENERGY STAR-certified electronic items, including TVs, DVD players, computers, copy machines and refrigerators, for use in stores and corporate facilities.

Kohl’s Department Stores has an active facilities alteration (remodel) program. In 2011, more than 90 locations underwent major remodels, and in 2012 Kohl’s plans to remodel 100 stores. The new building materials included in the Kohl’s remodel construction specifications are identical to those in our LEED for Retail NC Volume Prototype specifications. Kohl’s goes beyond requiring sustainable products in our specifications by directly purchasing the key construction materials for all remodels. Materials are researched and selected for LEED compliance and to maximize sustainable attributes, such as recycled content. Kohl’s building material sourcing program ensures consistency, LEED materials compliance and reduces general contractor errors affecting LEED credit achievement.

Decreasing landfill contributions and reducing waste is one of Kohl’s Department Stores key strategies in achieving our environmental mission. All Kohl’s Department Stores have active recycling programs. Our Solid Waste Management Policy encompasses all ongoing consumables and durable goods. Kohl’s national waste providers provide monthly data at the store level for pick up of cardboard, trash, paper and comingled recyclables. Plastic wrap, gift cards and hangers are sent from each store back to the distribution centers for recycling. In 2010, Kohl’s recycled 77% of total waste.

Kohl’s Department Stores has an active facilities alteration (remodel) program. In 2011, more than 90 locations underwent major remodels, and in 2012 Kohl’s plans to remodel 100 stores. Construction waste management requirements are included in every remodel specification manual.

All remodel projects are challenged to achieve the 70% recycling diversion rate required to achieve LEED credits, with a program minimum of 50% diversion nationwide.

To continually improve waste diversion rates, Kohl’s conducts regular waste audits at the stores, including all LEED EB locations. The audit examines the waste in both the cardboard and trash compactors to ensure that waste is being correctly sorted for maximum recycling.

Improved indoor air quality enhances the environment for Kohl's employees and customers. We monitor fresh air ventilation and carbon dioxide levels at all Kohl's LEED-certified stores. The increased amount of ventilation in Kohl's LEED stores contributes to better overall air quality during seasons when buildings often become stagnant and closed up.

Kohl’s is committed to providing a clean, pleasant and safe environment for all customers and associates. The use of tobacco is not allowed in any Kohl’s Department Store or corporate facility. Signage is posted stating, “No smoking within 25 feet of building entrance.” Stationary smoking posts are provided 25 ft. from each main entrance for collection of customer cigarette butts as they approach the store.

Kohl’s uses sustainable cleaning products, materials and equipment to reduce the environmental impact of cleaning chemicals and to improve the air quality of our stores for our Associates and customers. All Kohl’s stores utilize contract-cleaning services. It is Kohl’s requirement that our cleaning service providers adhere to our “green cleaning” standards from JohnsonDiversey Healthy High Performance Cleaning (HHPC) Program.

Kohl’s holds store cleanliness and customer satisfaction with the store’s appearance in the highest regard. Kohl’s monitors the quality of our contract cleaners on a regular basis to make sure we keep stores clean and reduce our Associates’ and customers’ exposure to potentially hazardous substances. Each contract-cleaning vendor is required to perform a monthly audit at each Kohl’s store. The purpose of the audit is to ensure the consistency of store appearances.

Kohl’s uses a number of resources to educate customers, Associates and stakeholders about sustainable building design.

Key educational materials developed to educate our customers include in-store brochures on the LEED for Retail New Construction credits achieved in our stores and their associated environmental benefits. The brochures are located with each store’s LEED Plaque. Customers are also educated on LEED and Kohl’s environmental programs through PA announcements and at the point of sale, and in the customer service area on rotating screen savers. This website also contains extensive information on Kohl’s environmental- and LEED-specific educational information.

Kohl’s strives to look beyond our direct environmental impact and positively influence our business partners in hopes of improving wider retail industry sustainability. Kohl’s encourages environmental values in our business partners through supply chain sustainability. The focus of supply chain sustainability is to collaborate with Kohl’s stakeholders, in particular its vendors and service providers, to operate in the most efficient manner possible, resulting in resource conservation and stewardship. To learn more about this initiative, see Supply Chain.

Encouraging Environmental Values in our customers, Associates and stakeholders is one of our environmental strategies in achieving our environmental mission. Kohl’s strives to be an active member in every community it serves through Associate volunteerism and funding grants. Three volunteer and funding programs benefit from the “Kohl’s Cares” program: kids, the environment and women’s health. To learn more about this initiative, see our Kohl’s Cares Page.

Emissions reduction is one of Kohl’s sustainability strategies that supports our environmental mission. Voluntary measurement of greenhouse gas emissions produced as a result of Kohl’s operations exhibits the organization’s serious commitment to environmentally sound business operations. But above and beyond our measurement and reporting, Kohl’s Department Stores established a greenhouse gas reduction goal in December of 2009. This goal was pledged through the EPA Climate Leaders program to achieve carbon neutrality or net zero greenhouse gas emissions in the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 on an absolute basis. Kohl’s was the first retail organization to publically announce a net zero carbon emissions goal as a member of the EPA Climate Leaders program. To learn more about this initiative, see Energy Efficiency.

Many factors are considered when selecting a site for new Kohl’s buildings. One of the items considered is the environmental impact of the building in a given location. The photo studio site complies with LEED requirements for site selection, including criteria like not being: prime farmland, habitat for endangered species, within 100 feet of wetlands or within 50 feet of a body of water.

Bike racks and shower facilities are available for all employees to use. Biking to work reduces fuel consumption, as well as air and water pollutants from vehicle exhaust. Plus, we offer preferred parking for those who get behind the wheel the smart way—by driving hybrid cars or carpooling. Kohl’s also received credit for being within ¼ mile of a bus stop, offering employees the option of taking public transportation to work.

The Photo Studio site utilizes an existing regional detention basin located east of the property. The basin is designed to reduce peak flows from the developed conditions to pre-development rates for the 2-, 10- and 100-year storm events. In addition, this site has a pretreatment pond located on the east side of the property. The pond is designed to reduce peak flows of water and to improve water quality, especially during weather events, producing excess precipitation before the water leaves the site and enters the existing regional detention basin. The water-quality pond will remove 80% of pollutants from storm water that flows from the parking lot and landscaped areas and provides irrigation for on-site landscaping.

Heat islands are created as cities replace natural land cover with buildings, asphalt and other dark-colored, hard-surface infrastructure. This causes both the air and surface temperatures to be higher than temperatures in nearby rural areas, resulting in increased energy demands.

Kohl's Photo Studio uses a cool, white ENERGY STAR®-rated roofing material to reduce energy demand and mitigate heat island impact. The roof also contains vegetated trays that absorb sunlight without contributing to the heat island effect. The amount of asphalt used in the parking lot was reduced and areas of high-albedo concrete pavements were added. The high-albedo materials reduce reflection and outside temperature. The majority of the remaining parking lot asphalt is shaded by trees and other landscape elements.

Light pollution not only wastes energy, it’s also a detriment to the quality of the environment. About 2,500 individual stars should be visible to the human eye in an unpolluted night sky, but in a typical suburb, only 200 to 300 stars are visible. In a city (like Milwaukee), fewer than a dozen stars may shine through the artificially lit sky. The Photo Studio was designed to minimize light pollution. It has no exterior up lights, the exterior sign is illuminated by LEDs and full cutoff lights used in the parking areas reduce light trespass offsite and in the night sky.

All landscaping plants at the Photo Studio are native adaptive trees, shrubs and ground cover that require less water than non-native plants. The irrigation system is a drip system that uses water from the on-site, pretreatment, storm-water pond—not potable water. The system is controlled by a Weather TRAK controller that monitors weather and climate conditions prior to activating the irrigation system. These combined efforts result in no potable water being used for irrigation.

Water-conserving plumbing fixtures were selected to reduce the Photo Studio’s water consumption. Dual-flush toilets, waterless urinals, sensor-operated faucets and point-of-use water heaters have resulted in an impressive 50% reduction in base-line water use, and qualified the project for an exemplary performance point in this LEED credit.

Kohl’s recognizes the importance of energy efficiency and has had a long history of focusing on this initiative. Energy efficiency helps the environment and saves money. The Photo Studio has a building automation system (BAS) tied to an energy management system centrally controlled at the corporate headquarters. The monthly energy data collected allows Kohl’s to review consumption patterns, review potential areas for energy-saving opportunities and verify utility bill accuracy.

Six to ten months after the Photo Studio was occupied, a commissioning agent reevaluated and adjusted the building’s HVAC to optimize efficiency and enhance the thermal comfort of the employees.

Kohl's partnered with We Energies and SunEdison to install a photovoltaic array on the roof of the Photo Studio. The system was installed in April 2008 and became operational in July 2008. More than 800 solar cells supply clean, silent, renewable energy, accounting for 20% of the power the building needs annually. To learn more about our solar program, see Energy Efficiency.

Kohl’s purchases renewable energy credits from a wide variety of sources, including biomass, biogas, wind, solar and small hydro generation. Kohl’s understands that its use of energy is the largest impact on the environment, and embraces both energy efficiency and renewable energy to mitigate those impacts. Kohl’s purchased 100% green power for the Photo Studio. To learn more about green power, see Energy Efficiency.

By managing waste generated by the construction of the Photo Studio, we ensured the least possible amount of debris went to landfills and incinerators. The contractor separated nonhazardous construction waste materials, including concrete, cardboard, carpet, metal, drywall and wood. This diverted 206 tons of waste from local landfills—that's about 64% of the construction waste generated by weight.

Five percent of building materials used in constructing the Photo Studio were reused. By reusing office cube walls, workstations, warehouse shelving and the carpentry shop paint booth from the previous Photo Studio, Kohl’s was able to protect valuable natural resources and save more than $20,000.

More than 25% of the building materials by cost in the Photo Studio are made of recycled content. An estimated 60% of the building materials by cost were regionally manufactured or harvested from within 500 miles of the Photo Studio site, reducing the environmental impact of transporting heavy building materials.

Rapidly renewable building materials regenerate more quickly than the demand for the products, making it easier for the supply to meet the demand. The Photo Studio used the rapidly renewable materials cork and bamboo for flooring to reduce the building's environmental impact.

Many of the permanent wood features, such as cabinets and doors, used in the construction of the Photo Studio were constructed from Forest Stewardship Council wood. By using certified wood products, Kohl's protects U.S. forests for generations to come.

Improved indoor air quality enhances the environment for Kohl's employees and customers. There is a no-smoking policy at the Photo Studio. Smoking is not permitted indoors or within 25 feet of any entrances.

A centralized energy-management system controls the HVAC units on this building. Kohl's monitors fresh air ventilation and carbon monoxide levels at all Kohl's locations, ensuring fresh air is circulated throughout the buildings. By increasing ventilation, the overall air quality of the building is improved during seasons when buildings are often closed up and the air becomes stagnant.

To reduce indoor air quality (IAQ) problems resulting from construction and to promote the comfort and wellbeing of construction workers and building occupants, Kohl’s developed a stringent Construction IAQ Management Plan that is utilized on all of Kohl’s new construction projects, including the Photo Studio. The IAQ plan requires contractors to shut down air-handling systems during the heaviest periods of construction, properly store absorptive materials and change air filters regularly.

This building was constructed with low VOC (volatile organic compound) materials. VOCs are present in many conventional building materials and can be odorous, irritating and harmful to those who inhale them. The low-VOC materials used in the Photo Studio reduce the fumes associated with paints, sealants, carpet, flooring, adhesives, insulation and wall systems.

The photo studio HVAC systems and building envelope are designed to provide a comfortable thermal environment that promotes occupant productivity and wellbeing. In an effort to continually assess and monitor the thermal comfort of our facilities, Kohl’s utilized a survey for Associate feedback.

Windows cover the facade of the Photo Studio, and the southern orientation of the building brings in sunlight throughout the day. Windows provide borrowed light in the central stockroom area. The use of glass doors in some conference rooms allows even greater penetration of sunlight and brings a little of the outdoors inside. A roof deck/outdoor photo studio space also accommodates photo shoots.

The use of green cleaning supplies reduces the exposure of occupants and maintenance staff to potentially harmful chemicals. The Photo Studio is cleaned using green housekeeping methods and green chemicals approved by Kohl's. Restroom paper products are made from 100% recycled materials.

The Photo Studio recycles office paper, aluminum cans, glass, cardboard, hangers and plastic. Receptacles throughout the facility are designated for the sorting and collection of recyclable materials. Employees and visitors can bring in plastic bags to be recycled.

Development Density & Alternative Transportation

Water Efficiency

Energy Efficiency & Commissioning

Green Power

Construction Waste Management

Recycled Materials

Air Quality

Low-Emitting Materials

Thermal Comfort

Green Cleaning

Water Efficiency

Energy Efficiency

Green Power

Construction Waste Management

Material Selection

Air Quality

Low-Emitting Materials

Thermal Comfort

Green Cleaning