Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) announced it has received an Environmental Initiative Award for environmental management from the Minnesota Environmental Initiative (MEI), a nonprofit organization that works with business, government and advocacy groups to promote environmental excellence. The award recognizes Target's Environmental Services initiatives, including comprehensive waste-prevention, materials use-management, environmental education and recycling efforts.

Examples of Target's environmental programs include: allowing non-profit organizations such as the Salvation Army and Goodwill to buy clearanced and damaged items and resell them; recycling damaged shopping carts to create red pet food dishes sold exclusively at Target stores; designing new corporate offices with energy-efficient lighting, windows, insulation and mechanical equipment; and educating team members and guests about environmental issues.

"We are delighted to receive this distinguished environmental award and the recognition it bestows on our commitment to the environment," said Jim Bosch, environmental services manager for Target Corporation. "Every day, Target Corporation strives to serve as an environmental leader for other business organizations. This award affirms our effort."

"Target's environmental department has set the standard for environmental management in retail," said Sarah Coppock, manager of MEI's Environmental Management Excellence program. "The scope of Target's environmental program and its broad, national application are very impressive."

Criteria for the Environmental Initiative award in environmental management are: significance of the environmental challenges being addressed; effectiveness in achieving superior environmental outcomes; degree of innovation embodied in the approach; degree of collaboration among stakeholders; extent to which the project is Minnesota-based and supports environmental excellence; and replicability and capacity to serve as a model for future environmental projects.

To explore the details of Target's environmental efforts and foster discussion about leveraging the company's leadership throughout Minnesota, MEI will host a breakfast forum on September 14, 2000 at 8 a.m. at the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Target Corporation operates large-store general merchandise formats, including discount stores, moderate-priced promotional and traditional department stores. The company currently operates 1,252 stores in 45 states. This includes 921 Target stores, 267 Mervyn's stores and 64 Department Stores.

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