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ANN INC.’s Distribution Center Receives Gold Zero Waste Certification

The Company celebrates Earth Month with 97% annual waste diverted from the environment

ANN INC.’s Distribution Center Receives Gold Zero Waste Certification

The Company celebrates Earth Month with 97% annual waste diverted from the environment

Published 04-21-14

Submitted by ANN INC.

ANN INC., the parent Company of Ann Taylor and LOFT, announced today that its distribution center in Louisville, Kentucky has achieved the Gold Zero Waste Certification by the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council (USZWBC). ANN INC. is the first apparel retailer to achieve this certification, marking a milestone in the Company’s commitment to operating responsibly and sustainably.

The USZWBC is the first third-party business certification program for facilities that meet the standards set by the Zero Waste International Alliance. In order to attain this certification, organizations have to meet nine designated requirements. ANN INC. not only meets, but exceeds these requirements. This award is in recognition of their achievement in successfully diverting 97 percent of its waste in its wholly-owned distribution facility from landfills, incinerators and the environment. 

Through its ‘ResponsiblyANN’ corporate social responsibility initiative, ANN INC. is committed to minimizing its environmental impact. To date, the Company has achieved a 27 percent reduction in its carbon footprint through various associate engagement and lighting upgrade programs. 

“We take great pride in operating responsibly and this certification is a testament to the efficacy of our programs and the dedication and commitment of our associates,” said Liisa Pierce Fiedelholtz, SVP, Supply Chain.

To commemorate this achievement, ANN INC. will host an event at the Louisville distribution center on April 21st, where they will acknowledge all associates who played a role in making the certification possible.

“Our goal is not only to provide credibility to Zero Waste businesses, but also to offer the resources needed to create value and save money through Zero Waste practices,” explains Stephanie Barger, founder and executive director of USZWBC.  “ANN INC. is our first apparel company to go through our stringent Zero Waste Certification program and we are thrilled to verify their achievements.”

About ANN INC.
ANN INC. is the parent Company of Ann Taylor and LOFT, two of the leading women's specialty retail fashion brands in North America.  The Company operated 1,025 Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Factory, LOFT and LOFT Outlet stores in 47 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada as of February 1, 2014.  Our Ann Taylor and LOFT brands are also available in more than 100 countries worldwide online at AnnTaylor.com and LOFT.com.  Visit ANNINC.com for more information (NYSE: ANN).  

About ResponsiblyANN
Through Responsibly ANN, our Corporate Social Responsibility program, we commit to operating our business with purpose and creating a better world for our global community of women.  This commitment means that ANN INC.’s clients can look great and feel great about the clothes they wear, and it means as a business ANN INC. is holding itself to high standards. This is achieved through forging strong partnerships with suppliers so that products are made ethically, investing in new programs and innovations to minimize the brand’s impact on the environment, and making meaningful contributions to communities. For more information on ResponsiblyANN, visit ResponsiblyANN.com.

About the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council
The U.S. Zero Waste Business Council, which was founded in October 2011, is the first third-party Zero Waste Business Certification program for facilities that meet the Zero Waste Principles of the Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA). The USZWBC offers certifications for both facilities and professionals helping businesses to achieve Zero Waste.

USZWBC was organized to “protect this vision of the proper use of resources, to establish best practices and enhance the value of the term Zero Waste in the marketplace to those who value sustainability, environment and the triple bottom line.” 

The Purpose of the USZWBC is to “educate, inform and document the performance of Zero Waste Businesses using scientific methods to help businesses and communities become more healthy and sustainable.”

For more information on the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council go to: http://www.uszwbc.org/

ANN INC. logo

ANN INC.

ANN INC.

ANN INC. is the parent Company of Ann Taylor and LOFT, two of the leading women's specialty retail fashion brands in the United States. The Company operates 942 Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Factory, LOFT and LOFT Outlet stores in 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico as of July 30, 2011, as well as online at AnnTaylor.com and LOFT.com. Visit ANNINC.com for more information (NYSE: ANN).

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