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Lowe’s was recently recognized by CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) as a Supplier Engagement Leader for its outstanding work in 2023.
To achieve its net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions target, Lowe’s needs to reduce its indirect emissions. That’s challenging because these are the emissions Lowe’s really cannot control, such as how a gas-powered lawnmower is used after a customer buys it and brings it home.
The solution lies partly in Lowe’s ability to work with its suppliers to quantify their emissions. Throughout 2023, Lowe’s worked closely with suppliers to help them understand the importance and helpfulness of reporting their emissions to CDP. Encouraging work helps suppliers understand, measure, and report their own carbon footprint.
One of those vendors is CM Tucker Lumber, a family-owned company in Pageland, South Carolina. Since its inception in the 1920s through four generations, it’s stayed true to its roots as a small-town lumber yard. In the 1970s, CM Tucker Lumber embarked on a transformative journey by transitioning into manufacturing, mainly focusing on pressure-treated lumber. According to family business lore, they began partnering with Lowe’s when it was a one-store shop in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. 
Now, under the guidance of the four Tucker brothers – David, Paul, Mark and Andrew – their collaboration with Lowe’s has evolved into a shared commitment to sustainability. Paul emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement and the alignment of their values with Lowe’s, a testament to their shared dedication to measuring and enhancing sustainability practices. 
The Lowe’s sustainability team has been great because they provided means to help quantify our sustainability. They’ve sent us links to EPA calculators. They’ve sent us links to South Carolina DEG, which provides incentive grants that encourage the use of battery technology. So, they’ve helped hold our hand and guide us through this process as we’re learning how to document our sustainability.
At the core of their sustainability journey is the efficient use of resources. Modern sawmills, like theirs, operate with zero waste. From selling bark to companies for reuse for mulch to converting sawdust into material for fire boilers, woodchips being sold to paper mills, and shavings being remanufactured for poultry operations, every byproduct serves a purpose, contributing to a circular economy and reducing environmental impact. 
By sourcing locally and limiting inbound freight to nearby sawmills, they reduce their carbon footprint while preserving wood through innovative chemical treatments. The company’s dedication to sustainable transportation is also evident in its gradual shift to electric forklifts.
David Tucker emphasizes that sustainability is not just a trend for them but an inherent part of their 4th-generation family business.
With a generational company, we are harvesting trees that my grandfather planted, that my father planted. I’m planting trees I may never even see harvested that we’re always planning for the next generation. So, at our very core is sustainability.
With Lowe’s as a valued ally, they continue to make strides towards a greener future, embodying the ethos of sustainability in every aspect of their business.
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