The TH Interview: The Home Depot's Green Man, Ron Jarvis (Part 1)
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 11.29.07
The Home Depot is reluctant to call itself a green company—maybe because of the contradictions built into being the country’s second largest retailer—but green has indeed become a guiding light for this 90-billion-dollar corporate behemoth. The company has partnered with BP in California to make home solar a plug-and-play item, has made alliances with universities to advance energy efficiency, and is working hard to peddle its Eco Options line, a series of products screened to meet standards of sustainable forestry, energy efficiency, clean water, and healthy homes. Ron Jarvis is the green man in the orange apron, and he’s at the front lines of this amorphous and very hot topic that is mega-corporate sustainability.
Listen to the podcast of this interview via iTunes, or listen/right-click to download.
(For part 2, click here.)
TreeHugger: First of all, Ron, give us a sense of the scope of The Home Depot's size, how many stores, how many employees, how many customers served.
Ron Jarvis: Well, today we have a little over 2,200 stores and our customers will do over a billion transactions per year. As associates go, we're sitting at a little over 300,000 employees.
TreeHugger: And from your own perspective, what's your position at the company at present?
Ron: Senior Vice President of Environmental Innovation. I work very closely with the operators in the stores, make sure that we've got the proper sign package up, make sure we understand issues around different communities with environmental practices that we have.
Also, I work very closely with the product merchants to source, locate, and bring products that have less of an environmental impact into our stores for our customers to buy. I also then work with different agencies, whether it's EPA or DOE and those type groups, to try to keep us on the forefront of any environmental issues that are looming out there.
TreeHugger: That seems like a tall order. What's your background, and what brings you to this particularly unique-sounding position?
Ron: Well, it's interesting. I've been with The Home Depot for 13 years now. And in 2000 I was the divisional merchandise manager in Florida. We had actually made a wood purchasing policy announcement in 1999 and part of it was that we would look for sustainable forests for all of our products and that we would give preferential treatment to certified wood coming into the stores.
As a company, we had at that time about 10 to 11 different buying offices with merchants all over North America, pretty much buying from a lot of different wholesalers and suppliers and manufacturers. And we needed someone to step in and implement our wood purchasing policy, which is: understand the forestry situation across the world, understand the products that are sustainable and aren't sustainable, and understand the species that are growing and species that are depleting throughout the world. And I was brought in to do that in 2000, and have pretty much been involved in environmental issues at The Home Depot ever since then.
We've also gotten calls from schoolteachers and educators that have stumbled across the website and are starting to use that as part of their education process for their students. They see the products and they learn about them during the week, and during the weekend, when they're shopping with their parents, they see the products in the stores.TreeHugger: One of the initiatives that you are doing is the Eco Options program. And part of that is educating consumers and bringing them into this process of understanding what sustainability means for the types of products that you're dealing with. The Eco Options site is quite robust—definitely goes beyond the regular roster of green things that you'd find in a consumer website. There's stuff like live online mini-clinics and do-it-yourself home energy and water audits. What other kinds of educational opportunities are people going to get when they check this out?
Ron: When we looked at our opportunities—getting product onto the floor, getting the correct sign package inside the store—we knew pretty early that educating the consumer was a very important part of sustainability across the U.S.
And if consumers understand what products they can buy that will have less of an impact on the environment, reduce their energy consumption, or reduce their carbon footprint, then it will make it much easier for them to come into the stores and find the product.
So, when we looked at the website, what we wanted to do was have an educationally-driven site, knowing that a lot of folks these days, especially the digital natives, want to sit down, go online, and understand their purchasing options before they go and buy a product. So, we looked at that and said, "Let's get a website up that has product information as well as overall, general educational information for the consumer." So, we put a lot of emphasis behind that.
And we also wanted to make it part of a website that is fun to look at, that has lots of information, but is also a place where a consumer can learn different actions they can do. We know that most consumers today don't realize the impact their house has, or even the impact that constructing and remodeling and building a home has, and the options that they can take to lessen that imprint.
TreeHugger: Do you see a positive response? Do you feel like they’re plugging into this online resource, these “digital natives,” as you say?
Ron: Yes, we do. We've heard just a tremendous amount of positive impact. We've also gotten calls from schoolteachers and educators that have stumbled across the website and are starting to use that as part of their education process for their students. It's something that the students can understand. They see the products and they learn about them during the week, and during the weekend, when they're shopping with their parents, they see the products in the stores.
Every time we see something that works in our stores to reduce energy consumption, we use that.
TreeHugger: So, Eco Options is part of how The Home Depot is bringing the customer into this process. Let's talk for a second about the behind-the-scenes stuff. Tell me about the overall corporate sustainability strategy. What does The Home Depot's environmental team look like, and how is the company structuring itself so that sustainability is really built into the mechanism?
Ron: In each different group that we have inside the company, whether it's operations, merchandising, advertising, we have people that are dedicated to sustainability, dedicated to environmental impacts. Inside of that group, we have an Environmental Council. Actually, I'm the chairman of the Environmental Council, but as far as the members go inside the Environmental Council, it's all of the leaders of each of the different functions.
And when we meet we talk about things that we need to do as a company to improve our impact on the environment. This ranges from the products that we're selling, of course, but also the products that we buy for internal use. For example, you can imagine how a company like Home Depot goes through a lot of paper. So, we look at the amount of recyclable paper that we're buying. We look at the waste distribution and recycling facilities that we have for our stores and the Store Support Center here in Atlanta. And of course there's logistics input as well as advertising input. And also, we look at the interface with the customer: recycling in the stores and recyclability of products that are moving through the stores.
One of the things that we also look at is the footprint of the store itself. We have built four LEED green buildings. We’re reviewing those to see what type of impact they're having on the community and on the energy consumption of those stores as well. We've made small changes throughout the years. Every time we see something that works in our stores to reduce energy consumption, we use that.
An interesting fact is that stores built after 2002 use up to 34% less energy than stores built prior to 2002. Little moves that we've made over the years have helped us: even some pretty major moves we made in '06. We saved about $20 million in energy costs versus '05. So, there are a lot of things we're doing behind the scenes that are having an impact for us in multiple positive ways.
TreeHugger: Speaking of energy savings, green buildings, and the overall sustainability strategy for the company, what do the financial people at The Home Depot think of all this? Is this seen as a viable way to get into greater profitability?
Ron: Well, we look at it in two ways. The first is that we think it's the right thing to do. So, even at first, if it's not reaping rewards for the first few years that we do it, we're still going to do it. Number two, we feel pretty confident that the market for this type of product is going to be stronger in the future than it is now. So, we understand that putting money towards this today will hopefully pay great dividends in the future.
Going green is one thing. I think that it's great for a big corporation like Home Depo to be heading in a green direction but as one of the largest companies in Canada don't they also have a responsibility to their customers? Even though Home Depo may be going green their main customers are still purchasing all their products for all the wrong reasons. Suburbia and the suburban homeowner, Home Depo's target audience is one of the worst "non" green segments of our society. Check out Project Outrage at www.theslowhome.com to find out more about the problems with suburbia and join the fight against mass construction. Like the slow food movement the slow home movement is trying to get back to the environmently friendly way of doing our most basic things.
I don't really think you can pin urban sprawl on HD, the housing companies who build the big huge houses usually buy direct since they buy in a lot larger quantities. Home depot sells more to DIY'ers and small contractors who might make an addition to a suburban home but are not building them by the dozens.
Anyone know the real deal on the FSC lumber at home depot, is it legit? I made my son's crib and bedroom furniture from the FSC limber before I even knew of treehugger. Now I need to make another crib and matching furniture so want to make sure I'm buying the most sustainable lumber. I used a transition bed plan from rockler that starts as a crib then you take off the front and put on a rail and it becomes a day bed then take off the sides it transitions to a twin bed I designed the dresser myself taking the changing pad and making the top if the dresser 1.5x the length of it and making a small extra drawer that sits beside the pad that removes along with the pad to make it into a normal dresser.
HD has a ways to go. Their indoor air quality is horrendously bad. Too much off-gassing from all the chemicals they sell. Randy
Maybe if I went to Home Depot in Los Angeles, CA I could buy a PV solar panel and plug it in to reduce my energy consumption. However, I asked the Associate at the HD in Huntsville, AL if they could even order a solar panel and found that they sell a solar panel. It's attached to the top of a walkway light. I'm not impressed, just a little envoius of the folks that have better options.
(well mark, LA home depots "ain't all that"... i am lucky if any HD associate can direct me to the hammers)
It is hard for me to swallow this marketing ploy. while i think the words sound great, I am skeptical. I've gained more help from my local hardware store than from any HD associate I have ever met. And find it hard to believe that their associates would even know what the word "sustainability" means (this would be a good documentary rebuttal to this interview). I have NEVER received any kind of substantial help at HD. And, personally, I think there are way too many of them. They are the walmart of the home improvement market. And i buy them going "green" as much as I buy walmart trying to go "organic" - sort of an oxymoron. HD is trying to squeeze (force) their way into my own neighborhood. where we already have about 6 hardware store. But I will not shop there. I buy local, even if it means that I have to wait a couple of days for things.
It's too bad they don't promote their water saving showerheads and faucet aerators in the water conservation section. With many parts of the country having water shortages they could sell these products and make more of an impact.
I wish they carried the ultra low flow Bricor showerheads.
I am very concerned that when I enter a Home Depot and do not know where a certain thing is neither do the salespeople. An outside contractor or the general public knows more than some of those salespeople. I would think that Home Depot would hire educated people in their field to sell . Their salespeople will send you to another associate because they either do not know where the product you are looking for is or do not know what you are talking about.
Walmart figured out that if they replaced the incandescent bulbs in their ceiling fan displays, they'd save millions on electricity. HD still has incandescent bulbs, left on all day, in their fixtures on display. Not only would it be great to educate consumers by displaying compact fluorescents, but HD would start saving huge amounts of money right away by making the switch.
Until they at least do that, it's hard to trust them as a place to turn for advice on eco-options.
I am actually a college student that works the returns counter at a Home Depot here in Florida. I will say that there are many small, simple things that Home Depot could do (but does not do) to save the environment. In fact I personally recycle for my Home Depot on a regular basis, hundreds of plastic bags that I have in the trunk of my car(this is only a couple of weeks worth, I drop them off to be recycled as often as is possible), giant stacks of papers they would ordinarily pitch. For the most part, Home Depot uses "Eco-Options" as a hypocritical way to pull more people away from competitors. Nothing more and nothing less.
I do agree with girlwithglasses, most of my coworkers, along with my managers know nothing at all about sustainability. There are a few of us however, that do what we can to make up for the err of HD's ways.
Hi Ron
As I read this article, I see the biggest hurdle for Home Depot to sell Solar PV systems is educated clients - Most customers at HomeDepot are DIY type of folk or contractors and unless they understand and are able to design PV systems - they will not buy the components or pre-made kits from Home Depot.
I have recently launched a site www.roanakh.com that has all the information and tools to help DIY and contractors design a complete PV system ready to be installed and it is currently free and open to anyone wanting to learn more on how to design PV systems.
Please send me your comments at Krishna@roanakh.com
Sincerely
Krishna
Nice interview, if you ask me. The Home Depot is a big company with the potential to make a huge impact on teaching consumers about energy efficiency and sustainability.
Because they're on TreeHugger, I trust that they're moving in the right direction.
Nice interview, if you ask me. The Home Depot is a big company with the potential to make a huge impact on teaching consumers about energy efficiency and sustainability.
Because they're on TreeHugger, I trust that they're moving in the right direction.
i love what HD did when they went to purchasing FSC lumber, but that is maybe 1millionth of what they could be doing. They will be pushed harder in the years to come just like any monster-sized employer to become greener, but until then they are causing more bad than good. But maybe they will never get to the point that will satisfy people like us (treehugger readers). I think my way of building homes will change things for many generations to come. My store is a home-based business that is selling to builders and homeowners in all parts of the country, and soon to Dubai (hopefully). We run this with 2 of us, and we don't need to own trucks and expensive real estate. It's really just a drop-ship business for homebuilders, which is the only way I can compete against giants. By only offering products that have a lighter impact on the world, I can arrange for better pricing and a more personable experience. My knowledge of building a foundation or framing a complex roof (20+ yrs of building) gives my customers the confidence they need when spending a hundred dollars or a million dollars.
i love what HD did when they went to purchasing FSC lumber, but that is maybe 1millionth of what they could be doing. They will be pushed harder in the years to come just like any monster-sized employer to become greener, but until then they are causing more bad than good. But maybe they will never get to the point that will satisfy people like us (treehugger readers). I think my way of building homes will change things for many generations to come. My store is a home-based business that is selling to builders and homeowners in all parts of the country, and soon to Dubai (hopefully). We run this with 2 of us, and we don't need to own trucks and expensive real estate. It's really just a drop-ship business for homebuilders, which is the only way I can compete against giants. By only offering products that have a lighter impact on the world, I can arrange for better pricing and a more personable experience. My knowledge of building a foundation or framing a complex roof (20+ yrs of building) gives my customers the confidence they need when spending a hundred dollars or a million dollars.
I think the thing to remember is that the move to "Green" for most people, especially the older generations, is going to take small steps. Having a leader like The Home Depot, grasp the concept of "Green" and all that it implies, makes a big difference in changing the mindset of our global community.
Home Depot's green customers are probably smart enough to obtain their solar energy products from manufacturers not owned by the petroleum industry, like BP.
I have lots of ideas for you:
Label and feature Energy Star Ceiling Fans.
Label and feature outdoor fixtures that are IDA-approved.
Have motion sensors for the lights in the lighting displays.
Or switches so people can see them on one at a time.
Have no urea-formaldehyde millwork available at no extra charge.
Feature low-voc paints.
Charge progressively higher amounts for environmentally destructive products. Take the difference and donate it somewhere.
Eco-options has so much more potential. Link it to your website so a consumer can buy the products that were recommend.
Recommend a baseline, advance and upgraded retrofit package that costs less if people buy the whole thing.
Congrats on what you have done so far. Keep going.
Lots more ideas for you too.
I need assistance with energy conservation.
My dryer vent allows cold/hot air to enter home. I have a normal vent which exits out side of the house it is approximately 2 feet from the actual dryer. How can I eliminate the waste of energy?
I also have a similar problem with my stove which vents to the outside. How do I prevent the hot / cold air from entering my home?
HELP!
MJ
I have worked for the Home Depot as a Millworks Specialist for over 4 years now and have seen many changes being made to create a smaller ecological footprint.
Personally, I disagree with what Jennifer M. and girlwithglasses said.
Home Depot is well on it's way to being a very eco-friendly company.
I am proud to work for HD.
While I won't be able to tell you everything about everything in my store, I certainly will find someone who does have the knowledge and the know-how.
Ask me for a thingy-ma-jig, I may think you're talking about a dohinky. Please, don't get mad at me because I don't know your terminology. Seems like everyone has a different name for osb, backer rod, etc.
Still proud to wear the orange.
Thanks for being green!!!
i don"t like home depot at all its really bad i very proper women my self i don't like places that treat there customer badly and the workers there my option to go to lowes