Costco Wholesale

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Costco Wholesale Sustainability Actions

Publishes sustainability reports

Costco says it now shares annual sustainability reports, policy updates, and climate-related statements. Its resources page also points to a 2025 sustainability report, a 2025 SASB report (SASB is a reporting guide for sustainability topics that matter to investors), and a climate risk statement aligned with TCFD, a framework for explaining climate risks and plans. This shows the company is trying to give more public detail about its environmental and social work than it did in the past.

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Set clean energy and emissions goals

Costco says it is working to run its business on 100% clean energy by 2035 and has more than 120 on-site solar systems. It also says it is reducing emissions across operations and supply chains. Independent commentary says a shareholder-backed emissions plan in 2022 pushed the company to be more specific about its carbon goals, including Scope 3 emissions, which are the indirect emissions created by suppliers and product transport.

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Improved packaging guidance

Costco has published packaging rules for suppliers called the Six Rights of Sustainable Packaging. These cover reducing packaging, using recycled content, choosing certified or tree-free fibre, making packaging recyclable, using certified compostable materials where suitable, and improving labels. A third-party packaging guide says Costco is also pushing brands to cut packaging waste and improve circularity, which means keeping materials in use for longer instead of throwing them away.

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Works on water and waste

Costco says it uses water monitoring systems, high-efficiency dishwashers, and drought-resistant landscaping where possible to lower water use. It also says it is reducing waste through more efficient operations and better packaging choices. Independent commentary says Costco publishes detailed waste-minimisation updates, including how much waste is diverted from landfill and how much food is donated or recycled.

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Tracks supplier labour risks

Costco says it asks suppliers about labour practices, environmental impacts, and supply-chain risks. It also says it uses a Vendor Code of Conduct and a STAR program, which stands for Sustainability Technical Assistance Review, to help warehouses manage energy, water, and waste. Independent reporting says Costco has also published human-rights material on supplier inspections and corrective actions, showing more openness about labour risks than many large retailers.

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Changed seafood sourcing rules

Costco has updated its seafood purchasing policies over time. Independent reporting says it stopped selling twelve red-list species, meaning fish considered at risk of extinction, and moved toward stricter expectations for farmed salmon suppliers. This is part of its wider effort to reduce harm to oceans and improve sourcing standards for food products.

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