The Home Depot, a leading home improvement retailer, has reached a significant milestone in its sustainability efforts by eliminating expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film from the packaging of its private-brand products. The company announced that between 2017 and 2023, it successfully redesigned over 1,280 product packages as part of its initiative to reduce its environmental footprint. This achievement follows the retailer’s formal commitment made in 2020 to reduce or completely remove the use of EPS and PVC in packaging for private-label products sold in the U.S., Canada, and online. EPS foam, though effective at protecting products, contains chemicals and oils that make it difficult to recycle and can take over a century to biodegrade. Similarly, PVC, a thin, rigid plastic commonly used to protect and secure products, poses significant challenges when it comes to recycling and also takes an extensive amount of time to decompose. In response to these environmental concerns, The Home Depot has replaced these materials with more sustainable alternatives like molded pulp and paper.
In 2023 alone, the company eliminated 39 million square feet of PVC film and approximately 6 million cubic feet of EPS from its packaging, reflecting its dedication to reducing packaging waste. These changes not only lower the company’s environmental impact but also reduce shipping costs and improve the customer experience by minimizing the amount of waste that comes with product packaging. Looking ahead, The Home Depot has set a new target to ensure that by the start of fiscal 2027, all new fiber packaging for its private-brand products in the U.S. and Canada will be compostable, recyclable, or made with recycled materials. This goal is part of the company’s broader sustainability strategy, which focuses on operational efficiency, minimizing waste, and driving product innovation. Candace Rodriguez, director of sustainability at Home Depot, stated that sustainability is an important part of the company’s business strategy, which aims to create long-term success for employees , consumers and communities. He added that efforts to improve operational efficiency, reduce waste and innovation in product design will continue to advance the industry. The company is committed to packaging innovation that reduces waste, encourages composting and recycling, and reduces overall packaging, in line with its mission to reduce the impact of the environment.