Henesis Consepcion
Chiyah Abram
Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU)
Aixa Ritz
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Best Buy’s mission statement is “To enrich lives through technology”. They achieve this by combining technology expertise with human experience to meet the everyday needs of their customers. They offer flexible shopping for their customers such as in-person, online, curbside, and in-home services and have demo rooms that teach the customers how to use products before they buy them.
Best Buy's innovations have helped the company remain competitive in the electronics retail industry, increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, and generate new revenue streams. Best Buy's innovation of an online sales platform has had a tremendous impact on its business. The company has been able to expand its reach beyond its physical stores and tap into the growing market for online sales. This has led to increased sales, higher customer satisfaction, and more brand loyalty. And most importantly, their efforts have helped improve the environment, which was their goal behind the innovations.
The two SDG Goal’s that this company addresses are SDG 12 & 13 which deal with responsible consumption and production and climate action. Over the years, Best Buy has started various initiatives, innovations, and e-waste recycling to reduce its environmental impact.
The purpose of e-waste recycling is to make a positive impact on the environment and encourage responsible production and consumption. This will allow Best Buy locations to achieve TRUE certification for zero waste, reduce customer’s carbon emissions by 20%, and reduce carbon emission as a company by 61%. TRUE certification stands for Total Resource Use and Efficiency, which helps define, pursue, and achieve zero waste goals. This helps increase resource efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
Kevin Jimenez, a Best Buy manager, stated during the interview, “When customers come to trade in their old devices, they love knowing that their old computers and cellphones will be recycled and used to manufacture new ones. It truly makes them feel like they are making a difference to better the planet. And in fact, they really are.” As per Kevin's statement, Best Buy has created a Recycling Program, which is a comprehensive recycling program for electronics. Customers can bring in their old electronics, and the company will recycle them responsibly, reducing the amount of electronic waste that ends up in landfills. Kevin also stated Best Buy has Energy-Efficient Stores which uses energy-efficient measures in its stores, including LED lighting and efficient HVAC systems. This has led to a reduction in energy consumption, lower operating costs, and a smaller carbon footprint.
E-waste recycling and achieving TRUE certification will help create a more sustainable supply chain, expand zero-waste practices into other facilities, and help keep customer e-waste out of landfills. The goal is that by 2030, the company wants to reduce carbon emissions by 75%, and help customers reduce their carbon emission by 20%. Since 2009, Best Buy stores nationwide have collected over two billion pounds of technological waste and have helped recycle all of it. The company is so committed to creating a sustainable future that it signed “The Climate Pledge” committing to become carbon neutral by 2040.
Sustainable Packaging and Product Sustainability are the company’s latest ventures in sustainability. Kevin stated that Best Buy has made efforts to reduce its packaging waste by using sustainable materials, such as recycled cardboard and paper, and reducing the overall amount of packaging used. They have also made a commitment to selling products that are more sustainable, including those with Energy Star and other eco-certifications, to promote more environmentally responsible consumer choices.
Furthermore, Best Buy's e-waste and recycling innovation provides a valuable service to communities by offering a convenient and environmentally responsible way to dispose of electronics. This helps to promote awareness of the importance of responsible e-waste disposal and encourages individuals to take action to protect the environment. This community engagement also provides an opportunity for Best Buy to build relationships with customers and enhance its reputation as a socially responsible company.
Overall, Best Buy's innovations and initiatives have had a positive impact on the environment by reducing electronic waste, lowering energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting sustainable consumer choices. However, like any business, there is always room for improvement, and Best Buy continues to work towards reducing its environmental impact. Kevin concluded, “Best Buy is definitely moving in the right direction with the sustainable practices they currently have in place and I’m very proud to work for a company that cares and tries to better the environment.”
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Kevin Jimenez, Manager
Best Buy is a consumer electronic retailer with stores all around the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Their headquarters is based out of Richfield, Minnesota and approximately revenue $47 billion a year. Best Buy’s mission statement is “To enrich lives through technology”.