The Home Depot Introduces Eco Options

The Home Depot® recently expanded its long-term commitment to the environment and sustainability by launching its Eco Options^SM program in the United States. Eco Options is a classification that allows customers to easily identify products that have less of an impact on the environment and empowers them to help make a difference in their own homes.

The Home Depot has identified more than 2,500 Eco Options products, including all-natural insect repellents, cellulose insulation, front-load washing machines, organic plant food and vegetables in biodegradable pots. The wide array of Eco Options also includes compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, programmable thermostats and certified wood.

As The Home Depot works with vendors and independent experts, the Eco Options line will be continuously expanded to include scores of innovative products that reduce the impact on the environment.

As part of its Eco Options launch, The Home Depot gave away 1 million CFL bulbs at its stores on Earth Day, April 22, and launched an interactive Web site dedicated to the program. The CFL bulb has become an icon of energy efficiency, and replacing 1 million incandescent bulbs with CFLs will result in savings of $12 million in annual energy costs and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least 147 million pounds. The Home Depot also sold more than 50 million CFL bulbs in 2006.

"For more than a decade, The Home Depot has been a proponent of environmental sustainability. From our wood purchasing policy to having our first store certified as green by the U.S. Green Building Council, we are committed to helping improve the environment and lessen our impact on it," said Frank Blake, chairman and CEO of The Home Depot. "Eco Options is the next step in expanding our commitment and making sure we help our customers who want to make a difference themselves."

Products with the Eco Options label are either eco friendly by definition, such as solar lights that use natural power, or have met certain environmental performance criteria verified by Scientific Certification Systems, an independent standards development and certification company. Eco Options products fall into one of five categories: clean air, water conservation, energy efficiency, healthy home and sustainable forestry.

The first Eco Options displays are rolling out now in The Home Depot stores across the country. The launch will capitalize on the growing trend of consumers embracing environmentalism and seeking ways to protect the environment.

The Company also is working to reduce its own impact on the environment. To save energy in its stores, The Home Depot has begun the process of replacing the incandescent bulbs in its Lighting department displays with CFL bulbs. The bulb replacement is under way at 200 The Home Depot stores and will be expanded to others throughout the year.

For more information on the Eco Options program, check out The Home Depot press release.