20 Apr Orange is the New Green

Eco Options, a new Home Depot line of products is expected to reach 12 percent of the chain’s total by 2009, making it the largest “green” labeling program in America. The Atlanta-based home improvement retailer has begun to classify environmentally friendly products in its U.S. stores.

Home Depot will determine what products to add to the Eco Options line of products. So far the company has identified more than 2,500 Eco Options products, including front-load washing machines, programmable thermostats, cellulose insulation, natural insect repellents, vegetables in biodegradable pots, organic plant food and compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. (More than 50 million CFL bulbs were sold by Home Depot in 2006).

Following Wal-Mart in trying to educate shoppers about issues, like climate change, the world’s largest buyer of building materials, has the power to persuade thousands of suppliers, home builders and consumers to follow its lead.

As part of its Eco Options launch, the company will give away 1 million CFL bulbs at its stores on Earth Day, Sunday, April 22.

FAB