Dollar Tree – Onyedika Mbelu – 2025

Summary

The report detailed a strategic roadmap for Dollar Tree to reduce emissions, improve energy resilience, and achieve cost savings through targeted investments in solar PV, battery storage, and energy efficiency upgrades across its distribution centers, with a focus on equity-driven site selection.

Goals

Develop a business case for decarbonizing Dollar Tree’s distribution centers. Identify scalable clean energy solutions with strong financial and operational returns. Enhance energy resilience and operational efficiency. Support climate justice by prioritizing underserved communities.

Solutions

Implement LED lighting retrofits with sensors and building management system (BMS) upgrades. Install rooftop solar PV systems at high-potential sites. Pilot battery storage for peak demand management and resilience. Leverage federal, state, and utility incentives to improve project ROI. Phase projects strategically, beginning with high-ROI pilot sites in Justice40 zones.

Potential Impact

Over 33,000 metric tons of CO’ reduced annually across pilot sites. Significant operational savings through lower energy costs and demand charges. Improved resilience to grid disruptions via storage integration. Advancement of equity goals by directing climate investments to underserved communities. Clear, data-backed pathway for scaling decarbonization across the entire logistics network.