Here for What Matters for the Environment on Earth Day

Since DG’s founding at the end of the Great Depression, we have remained committed to creating a positive social impact in the communities we call home which is reflected in our philanthropic investments and community outreach efforts. During the Company’s 2023 fiscal year, Dollar General and its Foundations donated more than $28 million to local and national efforts that focus on nourishing the mind, body and planet.

This Earth Day, Dollar General is highlighting examples of current programs and operational strategies which aid in preserving natural resources, reducing its environmental footprint and maintaining the vibrancy of our 20,000+ hometowns:

SERVING AS GOOD STEWARDS ON ARBOR DAY AND EVERY DAY

In living out its mission of Serving Others, DG is proud to have partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation since 2021 to support the organization in combatting deforestation one tree at a time. Together, DG and the Foundation have restored more than 321 acres of forest to date.

In fiscal year 2023, DG planted more than 96,000 trees in deforested areas near the Mississippi River in Louisiana and Mississippi, providing greenspaces to its neighbors and helping communities across the nation engage in climate change prevention.

These efforts include supporting U.S. Department of Agriculture tree planting programs such as Louisiana Long Leaf Pine Reforestation and Mississippi Long Leaf Pine Reforestation as well as local disaster relief efforts to replace trees like along Veteran’s Memorial Parkway in Cape Coral, Florida and at Wenonah Elementary School in Wenonah, New Jersey.

Additionally, 6,000 of these trees were planted offer natural habitats in the migratory nesting grounds for monarch butterflies in the outskirts of Mexico City.  

PRACTICING SUSTAINABILITY

To further our commitment to act as good environmental stewards, DG also actively pursued opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and advance its recycling and waste diversion efforts. In fact, to reduce waste directly across its supply chain, DG’s 2023 cumulative recycling efforts led to more than 1.1 million metric tons of GHG emissions avoided. This is equivalent to 2.5 million barrels of oil saved, or enough electricity to power 219,052 homes for one year.

Cardboard Backhauling Program

Specifically, the Company’s strategic placement of its stores and distribution centers across the country has allowed DG to create an efficient process for recycling one of its most prevalent byproducts—cardboard. DG’s cardboard backhauling program involves store teams receiving merchandise loading cardboard immediately back into the truck headed to a distribution center, eliminating the need for in-store baling machines and additional trucks. Since the program launched in 2008, DG has recycled more than 3 million tons of cardboard—the paper equivalent of more than 55 million trees saved from cardboard recycling alone.

Transforming Unused Dairy

Beyond byproducts, DG works to find beneficial reuse options to do its part in advancing a circular economy. In 2023, more than 13,000 tons of expired dairy waste was diverted from landfills. Instead of being disposed of, more than 11,000 tons were given a second life and used as high-quality additives for farm animal feed. Additionally, the Company partnered with a Pennsylvania farm near DG’s Pottsville distribution center to further reduce dairy waste, pursuing an innovative process to turn the milk into natural gas, which is then used to generate electricity.

CONSERVING ENERGY

DG also focuses on leveraging innovative technology to improve its energy consumption and preserve natural resources. DG’s renewable energy strategy includes both on-site renewable power projects such as on-site solar panels, as well as off-site projects such as the expansion of community solar agreements and wind energy supply agreements. In fact, DG further expanded its wind and solar initiatives in 2023 to power more than 1,000 Texas stores.

Emission reduction efforts extend into DG’s store and distribution center strategies as well. The Company takes time to strategically consider locations to facilitate shorter drives and more efficient hauls – both helping reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and conserve fuel. In 2023, the addition of a new distribution center in Blair, Nebraska marked a combined 9.3% reduction in stem miles, or the distances trucks must travel to reach their first delivery, on fresh and dry deliveries. Of note, nearly 50% of trucks delivering goods to Dollar General stores are DG’s Private Fleet, allowing the Company to better streamline its transit times and improve fuel cost efficiency.

DG leverages these same placement strategies to simultaneously create economic empowerment for local workforces, support recycling programs in communities and build food waste reduction partnerships with area food banks.

LOOKING AHEAD

DG understands a healthy planet is essential for thriving communities. As the Company advances its operating strategies, we continue to explore ways to advance sustainable and business-friendly practices that reduce our impact and ensure the communities we serve remain vibrant for future generations.

Explore DG’s fiscal year 2023 Serving Others Report to learn more about our environmental efforts.