As You Sow, an environmental group, is working with Target Corp. in an effort to phase out the use of expanded polystyrene packing materials by vendors that sell through the retailer's website.
The Oakland, Calif.-based group said April 5 that it initially submitted a shareholder proposal to Target seeking discontinuation of EPS in the electronic commerce channel. But it later learned the company, itself, does not use the material to ship products.
As You Sow said the national retailer has agreed to work toward discontinuation of foam packing material use by third parties that sell through Target.com.
The use of EPS is a hot topic these days, and As You Sow is not a fan.
“With readily available alternatives for many applications, companies should stop using foam. This will reduce the level of plastics that find their way into lakes and oceans where they can do great harm,” said Conrad MacKerron, a senior vice president at As You Sow, in a statement.
As You Sow says it “environmental and social corporate responsibility through shareholder advocacy, coalition building and innovative legal strategies.”