Shop Costco | Back to Scorecard
The following was taken from Costco’s Environmental Impacts & Land Stewardship webpage. Click here to read more about Costco’s sustainability principles and responsibilities.
Costco understands that it has a responsibility to source its products in a way that is respectful to the environment and to the people associated with that environment. Our goal is to help provide a net positive impact for communities in commodity-producing landscapes, by doing our part to help reduce the loss of natural forests and other natural ecosystems, which include native and/or intact grasslands, peatlands, savannahs, and wetlands.
We want to work with suppliers and others to support good land stewardship practices that also respect the autonomy and property rights of the landowner; are outcome-based rather than prescriptive; and respect the ability of rural people and their communities to thrive while serving as stewards of the land. Good land stewardship practices include, but are not limited to:
- avoiding deforestation and conversion of natural ecosystems;
- conserving or restoring natural ecosystems;
- protecting High Conservation Value (HCV) and High Carbon Stock (HCS) forests;
- ensuring free, prior and informed consent of indigenous people;
- respecting basic human rights;
- avoiding pollution;
- protecting water resources;
- protecting from harmful chemicals;
- protecting, restoring and promoting soil health; and
- supporting the increased healthy production-efficiency of lands currently in production.
We understand this is a very complex area with many stakeholders of varying sizes, cultures, perspectives and land conservation practices. It will take a phased approach of continuous improvement over time to reach these goals. We cannot do this alone and will depend upon the insight, experience and wisdom of our suppliers and others. We also acknowledge that as we learn more, our goals may change.
Costco is committed to sourcing its wood, paper and fiber-based products from certified well-managed forests, which can include certifications from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). The certification is dependent upon numerous factors, some of which include the current available supply for each product, the geographic origin of the product and the country where the product is produced. These certifications help to ensure that the needs of the forest ecosystems and their communities are balanced with conservation of our forests for future generations.
Costco also has sustainability initiatives in place covering palm oil products, cocoa products, pollinator health, chemical use reduction, beef, organic farming, and greenhouse-grown produce. Additionally, Costco works with the Rainforest Alliance to be sure that suppliers of the fresh cut roses they sell meet standards that protect ecosystems and wildlife habitats, conserve water and soil, promote decent and safe working conditions and ensure that the farms are good neighbors to rural communities and wildlands. There is extensive information regarding sustainability on Costco’s website.
Well done, Costco! We hope you will use this information to make more informed choices about your next furniture purchase.