Healthy Planet
We are determined to protect the planet through internal programs and by engaging suppliers on environmental issues to reduce energy consumption, emissions, and waste.
To support a healthy planet, our company is committed to sustainable practices set both internally and by globally recognized third-party organizations. Where possible, we will reduce our environmental impact and utilize renewable resources that lessen the effects of our day-to-day business. Additionally, we invest in partnerships and innovations that can minimize our impacts on the future.
21.2%
Reduction in carbon emissions in WBA operations compared to the 2019 baseline*
100%
Plastic-free online deliveries at Boots UK
700+
Stores in the UK offer the Recycle at Boots scheme
100%
Boots stores powered by certified renewable energy in the Republic of Ireland
Nearly 30M
Plastic bags removed through Boots UK plastic-free deliveries since 2018
3.5M
Miles reduction in fleet efficiency at Boots UK via supply chain routing program
Nearly 99%
Of waste is diverted from landfill from Walgreens Distribution Centers in the U.S. and Puerto Rico
*Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions
*As of the end of fiscal 2022, August 31, 2022
“All around the world an exciting awakening is happening. Our patients, customers, team members and the communities who depend on us to look after their health and well-being are reacting to the impacts of climate change. They expect us to keep environmentally conscious and socially equitable impacts central to every action we take. We take that responsibility very seriously and it is my huge privilege to witness first-hand how our team members continue to come together every day to realize our purpose, with compassion, intention and determination.”
Una Kent
Vice President of ESG and DEI, International, Walgreens Boots Alliance
At WBA, we believe there is an inextricable link between the health of our planet and the health of our communities, whether impacted by extreme temperatures, natural disasters, airborne diseases or poor air quality. We also believe climate change is caused by human activities and requires swift action to reduce our footprint.
To hold ourselves accountable, WBA is making progress against our first global emissions reduction target to reduce our absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 30 percent by the end of fiscal 2030, compared with our baseline year of fiscal 2019.
As of the end of fiscal 2022, WBA has achieved a carbon emissions reduction of 21.2 percent.
We plan to achieve our emissions reduction target primarily through a continued focus on energy efficiency at Walgreens, our largest business entity, with nearly 9,000 retail pharmacy locations across the U.S. and in Puerto Rico. Walgreens will continue to invest in energy efficiency projects and energy management systems in the future.
Waste management is an important issue for WBA and our stakeholders, who expect us to do what is reasonably within our control to avoid waste associated with our operations and minimize any adverse impacts through responsible management. WBA continues to prioritize sustainability by rethinking designs, reducing consumption, recycling, composting, reusing materials, and measuring our global waste generation and disposal.
In 2020, Boots UK and No7 Beauty Company launched an innovative in-store program, Recycle at Boots, which makes it easier for consumers to give a second life to health, beauty, wellness and dental product packaging. The scheme is the first of its kind in the UK, accepting all products, including those not purchased at Boots, and utilizing Scan2Recycle technology to encourage more sustainable habits.
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Boots is banning all plastic-based wet wipes
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Keep our planet beautiful with Recycle at Boots
Efforts are underway to build a more circular economy by rethinking how plastic is used in our operations.
Since 2019, Walgreens has been a member of the Consortium to Reinvent the Retail Bag, a collaboration with major retailers and nonprofit organizations to identify, test, and implement design solutions and models that sustainably serve the purpose of the current retail bag.
Programs designed to reduce plastic waste across our global businesses continued in fiscal 2022. Farmacias Benavides in Mexico continued to sell reusable cloth bags to reduce plastic bag usage. A percentage of the profit from these sales went to Reforestación Extrema Association to reforest 120 trees in urban areas.
Through the No Bag campaign, Boots Thailand continues to encourage customers to bring their own reusable bags when shopping. Customers who need to purchase a bag are asked to donate 1 Thai baht to support the National Cancer Institute. As of Nov. 1, 2022, Boots Thailand has converted to paper bags instead of plastic.
