Kohl’s Receives U.S. EPA 2019 SmartWay Excellence Award

Kohl’s Named a Top Environmental Performer and Leader for Freight Supply Chain Efficiency

Delivering Kohl’s orders to our customers requires a robust network of shipping logistics to reach more than 1,150 Kohl’s stores, e-fulfillment and distribution centers in 49 states, and not to mention tens of millions of customers’ homes nationwide. Maximizing our network efficiency is one way Kohl’s is seeking to reduce its environmental impact and positively impact climate action. This year, Kohl’s is proud to have been honored for these efforts with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2019 SmartWay® Excellence Award for the fourth time.

"We are honored that the EPA continues to recognize Kohl’s efforts to protect and conserve the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our supply chain,” said Gregg Barta, Kohl’s executive vice president, supply chain and logistics. ”We share a great amount of credit with our logistics service providers."

The U.S. EPA’s SmartWay Excellence Award acknowledges companies that demonstrate leadership in environmental performance and freight supply chain efficiency. Kohl’s is one of 17 shipper and logistics companies to receive this distinction in 2019, representing the best environmental performers of SmartWay’s 3,700 partners. SmartWay partners help reduce harmful air pollutants and contribute to better air quality.

“Kohl’s has been a proud partner with SmartWay since 2007, leveraging programs to measure Kohl’s emissions footprint and reduce operational costs. We have the opportunity to continue to make an impact by reducing the footprint of our operations and transportation, all of which ladders into the company’s sustainability goals,” said Steve Thomas, Kohl’s chief risk and compliance officer. “This recognition showcases Kohl’s commitment to understanding the bottom line benefits of clean and efficient transportation.”

Kohl’s climate action goals are focused on the reduction of greenhouse emissions and increase of renewable energy use. The company has set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Kohl’s-owned operations by 50% versus 2014 baseline by 2025, including freight supply chain efficiencies. This goal supports the SDG 13 Climate Action goals.

In 2018, all of Kohl’s domestic miles were with SmartWay members, allowing the company to eliminate 2.6 million highway miles in serving Kohl’s customers. In addition to the truckload fleet, Kohl’s current rail transportation usage stands at 61%, and has remained above 60% since 2015. Using the rail system keeps Kohl’s fleet at 75 percent less carbon emissions and supports our efforts toward a more sustainable supply chain.