Going Green Can Save Retailers Big Bucks

NEW YORK CITY-Though Walmart, Office Depot and some other major retail players received some attention recently for their environmental initiatives, the industry is still not known as a leader in sustainable innovation. That could change, though, once retailers understand the cost savings they could face once going green, said speakers earlier this week at the National Retail Federations annual conference in New York City.

In fact, if retailers are smart enough, incorporating numerous green programs in their projects can get half an entire project paid for through tax incentives alone, said Scott Bearse, a director at Deloitte Consulting.

“The tax opportunities in the short term are unbelievable,” he said.