In an effort to reduce emissions and create more sustainable operations, Target Corporation recently completed its first net-zero store. The new store is located in Vista, just north of San Diego, and is serving as a template for new sustainable Target stores in the future.
“We’ve been working for years at Target to shift toward sourcing more renewable energy and further reducing our carbon footprint, and our Vista store’s retrofit is the next step in our sustainability journey and a glimpse of the future we’re working toward,” John Conlin, senior vice president of properties at Target, said in a statement. “Our new stores and remodel programs are designed to help achieve our sustainability goals as we test, learn and scale our innovations over time across our operations.”
The new Target store is located at 3150 Business Park Drive and maintains the same visual design and layout of most Target stores. However, the new store sets itself apart with 3,420 solar panels across its roof and carport canopies. In total, the design includes 1,620 roof panels and 1,800 carport solar panels.
Other sustainable features of the building include heating powered through solar panels as opposed to natural gas powering. Additionally, the store uses carbon dioxide refrigeration systems, which will be included in all Target stores by 2040. According to the company, the switch to the natural refrigerant will help reduce overall emissions by 20 percent. With current sustainable features, the new store is expected to produce up to a 10 percent energy surplus each year.
While the new Vista store is the first to produce zero emissions, Target is in the process of implementing sustainable practices across the nation. Currently, 542 Target stores across the country use solar panels, or about 25 percent of the company’s total footprint.
Overall, the Minneapolis-based retailer has committed to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions across all of its facilities by 2040 as part of its Target Forward initiative. Through the initiative, the company plans to source 100 percent of its energy through renewable sources by 2030. Additionally, the company plans to up recycling and composting goals to divert 90 percent of its U.S. operations’ waste from landfills by 2030. Currently, Target is diverting 80 percent of its operational waste from landfills. The retailer also provides more than 1,350 electric vehicle spaces at more than 150 locations across 20 states.
With its first store opening in 1962, Target Corporation now operates more than 1,900 stores in all 50 states as well as Washington D.C. The company also employs more than 350,000 employees across its stores and distribution centers.
