Reducing Our Environmental Impact

The protection of the environment is a priority for Dollar Tree, and we are committed to reducing our impact on the environment and the impact of climate change on our business. We are focused on improving the efficiency of our operations and continuing to identify opportunities to use less energy and fewer natural resources.

Leadership Dedicated to Change

walking legs

With our dedication to making people's lives better, we carefully consider how we impact the communities where we open our stores and the world in which we operate our business. As we work toward this mission, we are continually thinking about how we can become a more sustainable business for a better tomorrow. Our current Environmental Policy commitments include:

  • Reduce our environmental impact and plan for potential impact of climate change and other environmental risks pertinent to the business.
  • Upgrade our operations to use more energy-efficient systems.
  • Partner with suppliers that also work to reduce their environmental impact.
  • Communicate our commitments and progress to our stakeholders.

Our commitments are applicable to all areas of our business, including, but not limited to retail stores and distribution center construction, renovation and maintenance, merchandise transportation, energy and water usage, education of our associates, supplier selection and expectations, waste management, and product selection and packaging.

To ensure the successful integration of our environmental strategy, our Board established a new committee, the Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, that will assist the Board in its oversight of the company’s sustainability and ESG risks and strategies, including those related to environmental and social issues.

View Our Environmental Policy

The Impact of Climate Change on Our Business

Climate change may impact our business in several ways — from operations to supply chain to product offerings. We are working across our operations and with suppliers to respond to climate change by increasing efficiencies, lowering our impact, and building resilience. In 2021, we invested approximately $34M in creating energy efficient stores and facilities to lower our energy consumption, emissions, and costs. Within our supply chain, we are optimizing our transportation and waste reduction initiatives and engaging suppliers on their emission reduction initiatives.

We worked throughout 2021 to reduce our energy consumption and emissions across our enterprise through the following programs: LED program, Energy Management System, freezer and cooler upgrades, high efficiency HVAC upgrades, insulation initiatives, battery technology, Transportation Optimization Software, Backhaul miles program, SmartWay shipping, and electric vehicle charging stations.

Energy Saved from Selected Programs: 121,140 MWh
Estimated Annual Savings: $13 Million

(See our 2022 Corporate Sustainability Report for details and important disclaimers)

Measuring and Reducing Our Carbon Footprint

In 2020, Dollar Tree, Inc. prepared a comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory of Scope 1, Scope 2, and select Scope 3 categories to establish an initial baseline and outline strategic reduction opportunities. Our energy and GHG emissions are derived from our energy consumption across our retail stores, offices and distribution centers, and the emissions associated with the production of goods we sell and the transportation of those goods from our suppliers to our stores. For the first time in 2021, we defined and measured our baseline carbon emissions footprint, set our first-generation goals to reduce the intensity of our GHG emissions, and prepared a formal climate disclosure report. New in 2022, we have published a second year of carbon footprint data and will be participating in the CDP reporting framework to share GHG emissions data and benchmark ourselves with peer companies.

Our Operational Footprint: Scope 1 and Scope 2

Our Operational Footprint: Scope 1 and Scope 2

Our operational energy and GHG emissions footprint includes the measurement of our U.S.- and Canada-based facilities, including over 16,000 retail stores, 27 distribution centers, and our corporate headquarters (SSC).

In 2021, we decreased Scope 1 and 2 emissions by approximately 11% per square foot across our retail stores, distribution centers, and SSC. We have several initiatives underway to achieve a reduction in our GHG emissions intensity ­­— for example, installing LED lighting, cool roofs, and low-emissivity windows in our stores. We are also well on the way to incorporating large-scale renewable energy directly into our power needs, including a community solar project in Maine and installation of solar panels on our distribution center in Connecticut. We anticipate more exciting projects to come.
Our Value Chain Emissions: Scope 3

Our Value Chain Emissions: Scope 3

Our Scope 3 emissions, or value chain emissions, are a result of our activities that occur from sources not owned or directly controlled by us. In 2021, we completed a comprehensive assessment of our total Scope 3 emissions, and we focused our 2021 reporting on purchased goods and services, upstream transportation and distribution, and business travel.

We understand that a large portion of our emissions come from producing the products we sell. In 2021, we engaged with our top suppliers on their carbon strategies surrounding their greenhouse gas goals and renewable energy targets. Our target is to have 75% of our supplier spend be with companies that have measurable greenhouse gas reduction or renewable energy targets by 2031. We ended 2021 with 38% of our supplier spend with companies that have measurable greenhouse gas reduction or renewable energy targets. In our 2022 CSR, we reported an approximately 16% reduction of our upstream transportation and distribution associated emissions.

Additional Environmental Policies

In addition to our Environmental Policy, Dollar Tree, Inc. has enacted many policies in alignment with our environmental initiatives. These policies help to ensure our products are always sustainably sourced.

Palm Oil Policy

This policy ensures the palm oils contained in our private label and national brand products are retrieved responsibly and sustainably.

View Our Palm Oil Policy

Pollinator Protector Policy

This policy seeks to mitigate the use of pesticides and insecticides, among other things, to protect pollinator health.

View Our Pollinator Protector Policy

Commitment to Cage-Free Eggs

This policy conveys our commitment to the ethical treatment of animals.

View Our Commitment to Cage-Free Eggs

Chemical Policy

This policy establishes a list of chemicals that cannot be added to products sold by our organization.

View Our Chemical Policy

2022 Corporate Sustainability Report

Our latest Corporate Sustainability Report details the many ways Dollar Tree, Inc. is positively engaging on issues important to our stakeholders — from customers, associates, and suppliers to the neighborhoods, towns, and rural communities our more than 16,000 Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores serve. It discusses our operating results, outlook, growth, and plans for the future, in addition to highlighting our Environmental, Social, and Governance initiatives.

View Report