Introduction
As the world populates, a logical thought of environmental sustainment becomes a factor as with a larger population, a larger amount of waste follows. Several years have passed since initiatives to clean up the earth such as Save Our Planet, Earth Day and organizations committed to planting trees across the nation. While people are becoming more and more responsible through the aforementioned efforts, it leads to the question of: ‘what else can be done?’ Looking at the possibilities and taking a step back to view the avenues of destruction and learning who or what are the culprits that produce the most waste? Naturally, it can be assumed that with more people populating the earth that more resources are needed. These resources include housing, clothes, machinery, electronics, land, and water. Businesses produce waste by the tonnage. Whether it is through air pollutants, soil pollutants, water pollutants or habitat destruction, waste is a bi-product of business as usual. While there are needs to be met, the impact must be considered and handled appropriately. How can companies continue to produce and distribute mass quantities of goods and services for the population and concurrently afford to stay afloat or, better yet, generate a profit? With companies like Wal-Mart, Sears and JC Penny leading the way to reducing their carbon footprint while maintaining profitability for their investors, the question is pondered, how do the top 10 retailers in America create an identity of “being green” [also called practicing sustainability] through their press releases, corporate practices and corporate policies?
In a socially aware and capitalistic industry that is fast paced as well as customer focused, sustainability is paramount to survival for any company. In the retail industry alone, the product
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