JCPenney, one of America’s largest apparel and home furnishing retailers, has released its 2015 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, highlighting its achievements in enhancing sustainability, advancing social and ethical standards, and encouraging associate giving and volunteerism. The report, detailing activities in calendar years 2013 and 2014 is part of the company’s commitment to environmental and social progress. “JCPenney has a strong legacy of responsible corporate citizenship – social, ethical and environmental values that are as important today as when James Cash Penney opened his first store in 1902,” said Marvin R. Ellison, CEO of JCPenney. “As the retail and sourcing industries continue to evolve, so will our standards of sustainability and social responsibility.” The report outlines the company’s achievements in a variety of categories, including encouraging conservation, fostering supplier partnerships, supporting responsible operations, winning and giving together, creating connections with communities and sustaining the future. According to the report, ongoing sustainability programmes during an aggressive five-year energy conservation campaign, enabled JCPenney to reduce total company energy usage by 19 per cent – a cost avoidance of nearly $100 million and a significant reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It said JCPenney nurtures strong supplier relationships built on transparency, continuous improvement and integrity. The company’s Supplier Principles detail strict expectations of all suppliers that conduct business with JCPenney, and address ethical business practices, routinely audited working conditions, safe and high quality products, socially responsible supply chains and environmental impact. As for responsible operations, JCPenney actively promotes a culture of waste management, and is committed to recycling items such as office paper, cardboard, hangers and more at all stores, distribution centers and offices. Between 2011 and 2014, the Company reduced total waste by 43 percent, from 143,459 tons in 2011 to 81,629 tons in 2014, the report said. JCPenney is committed to empowering and developing associates in stores, supply chain facilities and offices around the world through business resource teams, continuing education programs and engagement surveys. The company encourages associates to give back in any way they feel comfortable, inspiring associates to pledge over $5 million to non-profit organizations and commit 150,000 hours to community volunteerism in 2013 and 2014.
