University of Rhode Island  
Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design

TMD 402N  Seminar: Sustainability

Sustainability at Bed, Bath, and Beyond

Sherri Nixon, James Murray, and Katarina Pilizota

Summary by Jessica Dirienzo

                      Sherri Nixon, Jimmy Murray, and Katarina Pilizota from Bed, Bath and Beyond

Bed Bath and Beyond has become a major player over the years in the community and in the “green” movement. They have established a number of programs working toward a greener business. Sherri Nixon, director of planning, Jimmy Murray, a member of the design team and Katerina Pilizota in human resources spoke about the measures the company is taking to create a greener world.

Bed Bath and Beyond has a number of projects and programs devoted to sustainable business and living. The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) is an independent non profit organization aimed at creating “lasting relationships” between shareholders and the corporation. The project encourages dialogue and information for a rational response to climate change. It is an open forum for employees and shareholders to make changes in a sustainable direction. The company has also established a “green committee” which they define as “cross-functional.” The committee members attend monthly meetings where they work towards lowering the company’s energy consumption. Their mission is to minimize Bed Bath and Beyond’s impact on the environment and measure their carbon footprint. They also work with their vendors and brainstorm ways to educate their customers. The last project discussed was the lighting retrofit project. This project works to reduce electrical consumption by using such initiatives as high efficiency lumen output bulbs (HELO). The work and advances that have been made with this project are equivalent to adding twelve acres of forest per year by a single store.

Jimmy Murray spoke about sustainability from a design standpoint and how it fits into Bed Bath and Beyond. In design one must always think of the consumer and it is important to note that consumers today are making lifestyle changes to better the earth. The emphasis on healthier living is influencing consumers to reject harmful chemical products. There has also been a greater emphasis on recycling and reducing the carbon footprint. To respond to these consumer preferences, one must identify sustainability as a trend in home products. A number of measures are then taken to deliver greener products to the consumer. Attending trade shows from a design standpoint will introduce employees to green methods used in the home décor sector. One should also influence the buying department to challenge the vendor base to find products that fit under the “green umbrella.” In general, designers and buyers from Bed Bath and Beyond are looking to eco-consciousness for a variety of products that are good for the environment and promote healthy lifestyles. 

Bed Bath and Beyond has already taken steps in the right direction by providing customers with such items as reusable shopping bags and bamboo products. There are also fully organic and certified products and a new packaging system that uses bamboo. Large corporations are often the most polluting of all and it is important that they take measures to ensure a sustainable operation. In the end, it will have a large impact on the environment. Bed Bath and Beyond’s projects and committees along with their design goals and products has made them one of the major players in the fight for a sustainable world.