Recycling Program
From hangers to lightbulbs, Kohl's recycles 130,000 tons a year.
2009 Recycling Results (in tons)
- Cardboard: 102,996
- Construction Materials: 14,269
- Plastics*: 11,966
- Office Paper: 3,758
- Wood: 2,403
- Metal: 705
- Carpet: 455
- Mixed Recyclables**: 252
- Computers/Electronics: 47
- Light Bulbs: 22
- Total: 136,873
*Kohl's implemented a new plastic recycling program in 2007. Our stores strip all plastic that is shipped with our merchandise and return it through our distribution network for recycling. This plastic is recycled into plastic pellets that one day will be used to make items we use in our stores like plastic shipping totes, garbage cans and more! This program has been expanded in 2008 to 100% of our stores, furthering Kohl's commitment to waste stream reduction.
**Bottles, cans, gift cards, fluorescent light bulbs
Recycled Content Within Our Product
When cost effective, it is Kohl's goal to use products with recycled content. When using products with recycled content, the positive environmental impacts are many. Utilizing these products saves 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
Kohl's gray plastic bags even contain more recycled content than a standard white bag.
Carpet Recycling
In 2009, Kohl's participated in the Mohawk Recover Program as we recycled old carpet removed from 26 remodeled stores. As a result, 910,000 pounds of carpet was diverted from local landfills.
In 2010, Kohl's is partnering with J&J to recycle old carpet removed from our remodeled stores. To date, we have recycled 357,520 lbs.
Waste Prevention
Kohl's waste stream management program does not just stop with recycling and using recycled products. Looking for ways to reduce what arrives or is used at Kohl's is also an important aspect of this strategy. By looking at all aspects of our business and listening to suggestions from our associates, Kohl's is reducing waste every day. The major challenge is reduction of the packaging used to ship the merchandise to Kohl's stores. Kohl's knows that by just raising the units packed in a single shipping carton by 1 to 2 units, the environmental savings is substantial.
Eliminating the Paper Paycheck
In 2009, Kohl's introduced Web-based pay statements. Associates are paid electronically via direct deposit to the bank of their choice. This change eliminated the printing of nearly 7,000,000 check stubs per year, saving paper, printing, shipping and mailing costs. It's another way Kohl's continues to find ways to reduce waste and help the environment.
Internal Packaging
Kohl's asks all vendor partners to eliminate or reduce packaging on merchandise shipped to our stores. This eliminates both labor and waste at our stores. Items that do require plastic protection are shipped in polyethylene bags that can be easily recycled. These polyethylene bags are stripped in our receiving process and returned to our Distribution Centers for baling and recycling in the United States. All cardboard cartons that arrive at our stores and Distribution Centers are compacted and recycled on a weekly basis.
Units Per Carton Did you know one tree produces enough pulp to make 60 shipping cartons? Finding the right amount of units to ship in a carton helps to manage inventory and reduce waste. Our merchant team is striving to raise units per carton by 1 to 2 units each year, effectively removing millions of cartons from the supply chain.
