Plastic has found its way into many aspects of our lives in both products and packaging, but it doesn’t always end with recycling or proper disposal. Instead, it often finds its way into places like our parks, waterways and the ocean. The Home Depot and our suppliers have been working to reduce plastic through ambitious efforts and goals:
- In 2023, we reached our goal to exclude expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film from new private-brand packaging.
- By the end of 2028, we aim for our suppliers to either reduce or convert 200 million pounds of plastic used in products to recycled or alternative materials.
- At select Home Depot stores, customers can return their used plastic plant containers to the Garden department’s designated space, where our dedicated associates will take care of the rest. The Home Depot will also recycle plastic shopping bags, compact fluorescent light bulbs and rechargeable batteries at participating stores.
Our suppliers are also integral partners in our sustainability efforts with industry-leading innovations. Here are just a few examples:
- 3M has pledged to reduce its virgin, fossil-based plastic usage by 125 million pounds by the end of 2025 by incorporating recycled plastic into their packaging and products, using bio-based plastics and eliminating plastic where possible. In 2021 alone, they successfully reduced virgin plastics in products sold by The Home Depot by 300,000 pounds.
- Behr’s Simple Pour paint cans are made from 100% post-consumer plastic and represent a significant innovation as the first-of-its-kind 100% recyclable paint can, contributing to a circular economy and reducing waste.
- Pratt has revolutionized the moving industry by innovating cushioning materials and reducing the amount of resin in Bubble Wrap by 30% while changing the design to increase product strength.
Do Just One Thing: One of the most common and yet preventable contributors to landfill waste is plastic water bottles. Each year, millions of these bottles end up in landfills. Installing an under-the-sink water filtration system can provide you with easy access to clean water without the need for bottled water.
Together with our suppliers, customers and dedicated associates, The Home Depot is prioritizing plastic reduction, embracing innovative solutions and positively impacting the planet for future generations. Join us as we continue our journey towards a more sustainable tomorrow.
