Introduction

Lowe's Social Responsibility- Message From CEO

Here at Lowe’s, Never Stop Improving is more than a tagline. It’s a mindset that helps us create an emotional connection with people – people who express themselves through their homes; people who see home improvement as a continuous process. But that mindset isn’t limited to just customers and their projects. Never Stop Improving also means we strive to make a positive and lasting difference in our schools and our communities.

It’s a drive that comes from within, fueled by the value we place on diversity of thought, on the importance of collaboration and connecting with our customers and communities, and on the unique perspectives that all of our employees bring to the workplace. Perspectives that create innovative solutions to meet the challenges of today and anticipate the opportunities of tomorrow.

And most importantly, it’s a commitment we make every year.

2012 saw our commitment to education reach new heights. Through Lowe’s Toolbox for Education®, we contributed nearly $5 million in grants to schools in 49 states, enabling them to complete facility renovations, technology upgrades, playground builds and library expansions.

2012 saw our commitment to providing safe and affordable housing strengthen. Through our partnerships with Rebuilding Together and Habitat for Humanity, we participated in neighborhood revitalization projects, rehabilitations and home builds in communities from coast to coast.

2012 saw us take even bigger steps in the area of sustainability. We earned ENERGY STAR®, SmartWay® and WaterSense® awards from the EPA for our efforts in protecting and conserving natural resources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and educating consumers about water and energy efficiency. And we continue to offer innovative and sustainable products so customers can choose responsible solutions.

2012 saw us respond in times of disaster. From wildfires to tornadoes to tropical storms, Lowe’s was quick to provide assistance to emergency shelters, cleaning supplies for flooded homes and businesses, and volunteers for the distribution of food and relief supplies in affected communities.

But our largest response in 2012 came in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. In November, I traveled to the Northeast to see firsthand the incredible teamwork shown by Lowe’s employees in the face of remarkable destruction. I was impressed by their determination to get every Lowe’s store back up and running in order to be resources for community rebuilding efforts. And I was moved by the generosity and compassion of people across the enterprise who made donations to the Lowe’s Employee Relief Fund to help teammates in their time of great need.

Education, housing, sustainability, disaster response. They were our focus in 2012. They will remain our focus in the years ahead.

Lowe’s is committed to never stop improving, and that includes our schools and communities. I hope this report shows how much we’re committed and how important it is to us.

Thanks for letting us share it with you.
Robert A. Niblock Chairman, President and CEO

Lowe's Heroes

Lowe’s works hard to be a good neighbor and takes great pride in improving the communities we serve. Since the late 1990s, Lowe’s employees have been teaming up through the Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteer program to make our communities better places to live. The companywide program encourages employees in a location to work together, adopt a volunteer project with a local nonprofit organization or K-12 public school, and make a difference. At a time when many communities are in need, Lowe’s Heroes continued to step forward to assist our neighbors across North America. Lowe’s Heroes participated in more than 1,300 projects in 2012, and Lowe’s contributed more than $1.3 million in materials.

Employees from our stores, distribution centers, regional and corporate offices volunteered their time and skills to support nonprofit partners and deliver a greater impact on a local level. From part-time employees to vice presidents, Lowe’s Heroes rolled up their sleeves to complete community improvement projects that included:

Partnering with the First Response Team of America to provide immediate aid to communities in Florida, Louisiana and New York in the aftermath of destructive tornadoes, tropical storms and hurricanes.

Revitalizing neighborhoods with Rebuilding Together in Indianapolis, Seattle, Philadelphia, Charlotte, N.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

Refurbishing rinks in Ontario and Ottawa in partnership with Hockey Canada to revitalize the infrastructure of youth hockey in Canada.

Making critical improvements at schools to support Lowe’s Toolbox for Education® grants awarded in 49 states and the District of Columbia.

Lowe’s Heroes once again came together across the country to answer the call for help during a disaster-filled year. Beginning with storms that spawned devastating tornadoes before the arrival of spring, teams of Lowe’s Heroes packed buckets full of emergency supplies and distributed them to local residents impacted by disasters in the central, southern and northeast United States. The largest response came in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Lowe’s Heroes distributed more than 100,000 pounds of food and cleaning supplies at relief events, and assisted communities with rebuilding efforts well into 2013.

Click here to view more photos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97001059@N04/

Habitat For Humanity

Recycle at a Lowe's Near You

 
From offering recycle bins for light bulbs and batteries, to plastic planters, and even special trade-in events for tools, Lowe's offers several ways for customers to recycle when they come in to shop.

Here is a map of some Lowe's in Ohio. You can use it to help find the Lowe's store nearest you so you too can take advantage of all of the services Lowe's offers to help the environment.


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Podcasts

For podcasts related to converting your business green, click on the link to visit the Lowe's ProServices podcast home page:
http://www.lowesforpros.com/audio-podcasts

More Information and More Improvement

For more information about Lowe's and how they are being socially responsible, visit them at http://responsibility.lowes.com/