CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 17, 2008--Macy's, Inc. (NYSE:M)
today announced it will begin using recycled paper shopping bags at
its Macy's stores, as well as biodegradable packaging for its online
shipments, as part of the company's commitment to contribute to a more
sustainable environment. The changes will phase-in beginning this
month.
- Macy's will replace the primary handled shopping bag used in its stores
with one made from kraft paper with 30 percent recycled material. The new
bag also is 100 percent recyclable. It replaces a laminated paper bag that
is neither made from recycled content nor recyclable. In total, Macy's uses
more than 43 million handled shopping bags each year.
- In order to provide customers more options when making a purchase, all Macy's
stores will begin carrying reusable tote bags made from 100 percent natural
cotton. The totes, created in partnership with Cotton Incorporated, will sell
for $3.95, with $1 of the purchase price donated to the National Park Foundation.
On Saturday, April 26, the first 100 to 150 customers at every Macy's store
will receive a free reusable tote bag.
- The company's direct-to-consumer businesses - macys.com, bloomingdales.com
and Bloomingdale's By Mail - will begin using loosefill in-the-box packing
material that is 100 percent biodegradable, compostable and recyclable. The
material is used to prevent damage to fragile merchandise as it is shipped
to customers. Previously, the company used "packing peanuts" (synthetic, non-biodegradable
material) for this purpose. The new material is made from raw ingredients
including pure corn and potato starch. It breaks down in water in nine minutes
and will not harm the environment. Each year, Macy's, Inc. uses approximately
3.1 million cubic feet of in-the-box packing material.
- Macy's stores and macys.com will continue to use recyclable folding gift
boxes and wrapping tissue made from 100 percent recycled material. Each year,
Macy's uses approximately 48 million folding gift boxes and 255 million sheets
of wrapping tissue. Bloomingdale's wrapping tissue (75 million sheets used
each year) will be converted to 100 percent recycled material in spring 2008.
In addition, Bloomingdale's will offer a 100 percent recycled paper and ribbon
gift-wrapping option for holiday 2008.
These actions are consistent with Macy's, Inc.'s corporate
strategy to adopt business practices that preserve and protect the
environment.
"Our strategies for sustainability include aggressively reducing
wasteful behavior, decreasing our use of scarce resources and pursuing
environmentally friendly solutions whenever we have the option to do
so," said Macy's, Inc. Vice Chair Tom Cole. "As a leading national
retailer with a significant workforce, we have the opportunity to make
a meaningful difference in improving the environment. And we will do
so. But we must operate within the bounds of good business
decision-making so that the actions we take are measurable,
sustainable and enduring."
By the end of 2008, the company will be hosting solar energy
panels on more than 30 of its stores, primarily in California. Solar
power, combined with energy efficiency projects, will reduce grid
energy consumption by 40 percent in these stores. Energy consumption
per square foot companywide has been reduced by about 9 percent over
the past five years. And the amount of recycled paper used in
advertising materials increased by about 10-fold in 2007 alone.
Beginning in April, as previously announced, Macy's will partner
with the National Park Foundation to educate shoppers and raise
awareness and funds for parks across America. It will be launched
during Earth Week in conjunction with Macy's Turn Over a New Leaf
campaign, which will include promoting eco-friendly merchandise and
distributing free tree saplings to the first 100 customers in each
Macy's store on April 22.
Bloomingdale's is partnering with the Natural Resources Defense
Council to raise awareness and funds through a special electronic gift
card (the "little green card") available at all Bloomingdale's stores
and online.
"At Macy's, Inc., we believe that contributing to a more
sustainable environment is good business practice and the right thing
to do for future generations," Cole said.
Macy's, Inc., with corporate offices in Cincinnati and New York,
is one of the nation's premier retailers, with fiscal 2007 sales of
$26.3 billion. The company operates more than 850 department stores in
45 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico under the
names of Macy's and Bloomingdale's. The company also operates
macys.com, bloomingdales.com and Bloomingdale's By Mail. Prior to June
1, 2007, Macy's, Inc. was known as Federated Department Stores, Inc.
(NOTE: Additional information on Macy's, Inc., including past news
releases, is available at www.macysinc.com/pressroom)
CONTACT: Macy's, Inc.
Media - Jim Sluzewski, 513-579-7764
Investor - Susan Robinson, 513-579-7780
SOURCE: Macy's, Inc.
