Target commits to more sustainable sourcing

In a statement posted on its website Nov. 14, Minneapolis-based Target Corp. pledged to source raw materials for its own-brand apparel, accessories and home good lines more responsibly. The company emphasized that it is committed to improving the lives of international workers involved in producing Target’s private brand lines.

“It is an ambitious challenge that will touch the lives of at least 3 million people in the factories and surrounding communities where Target’s owned-brand goods are produced,” said Kelly Caruso, president of Target Sourcing Services, in the online announcement. “We’ll do it by opening up access to things like women’s empowerment initiatives, education and training.”

Target stated that its environmental sustainability initiatives include championing responsibly grown and harvested cotton and replacing all conventional polyester with polyester made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (or rPET) by 2020. In addition, the retailer vowed to use water more responsibly in its private brand product design and to reduce emissions throughout its supply chain.

“We want our owned-brand assortment to empower our guests to have a positive social and environmental impact,” Caruso said. “By [our] offering more sustainably focused products, they’ll be able to choose items that help them lead better, healthier lives.”

To learn more, read Target’s statement at https://corporate.target.com/article/2016/11/responsible-sourcing.